London is one of the world’s great cocktail cities. From white-jacketed service in gilded hotel lounges to offbeat speakeasies behind bookshelves, the capital offers a bar for every kind of drinker. But in a city with thousands of choices, where do you go when you want something extraordinary?
This guide brings together the very best cocktail bars in London. Places that consistently deliver not just drinks, but full sensory experiences. Whether you’re looking for a Martini so perfect it makes you rethink the entire category or a theatrical creation that involves smoke, light, or unexpected ingredients, here’s where to find it in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- A curated guide to the best cocktail bars in London, featuring only the city’s most skilled bartenders, innovative menus, and consistently exceptional experiences.
- Cocktail bars London locals, industry pros, and bartenders recommend.
- Highlights standout venues across Soho, Shoreditch, Mayfair, Bethnal Green, Islington, and beyond, making it easy to plan the perfect night out.
- From speakeasies and jazz lounges to sleek hotel bars and experimental mixology labs, this list covers every style and mood.
- Includes insider tips on what to order, when to go, and how to choose the right bar for dates, groups, creative cocktails, or classic serves.
- Ideal for travelers and locals looking to skip the mediocre mojitos and head straight to the bars that matter.
1. Lyaness
Inside the Sea Containers hotel on the South Bank, Lyaness is a destination for cocktail lovers seeking innovation wrapped in luxury. It’s the creation of Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr. Lyan), one of the most respected names in global bartending.
The drinks menu here reads more like a design brief than a traditional cocktail list, built around unusual house-made ingredients like “Infinite Banana” and “Purple Pineapple.” Expect unexpected textures, deeply layered flavours, and a distinct sense of theatre.
The interior is glamorous with powder-blue sofas and views of the Thames and adds to the feeling that you’re somewhere special.
Source: Lyaness
2. American Bar at The Savoy
The American Bar at The Savoy is an institution. It’s the oldest surviving cocktail bar in London and a cradle of mixology history. Iconic bartenders like Ada Coleman and Harry Craddock shaped cocktail culture here, and today’s team carries that torch with pride.
Expect an immaculate White Lady, flawless service, and a setting that whispers sophistication with black-and-white floors, Art Deco touches, and a pianist softly playing in the corner. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and every detail feels intentional.
Source: American Bar at The Savoy, London, England – Bar Review | Condé Nast Traveler
3. Cahoots
Part immersive theatre, part underground bar, Cahoots transports guests back to 1940s London with a level of commitment that borders on cinematic. Set in a repurposed air raid shelter in Soho, it’s filled with wartime memorabilia, vintage signage, and staff dressed in period attire.
The drinks are playful and pun-heavy, served in everything from enamel mugs to milk bottles. Think crowd-pleasing punches, gin-forward classics, and lots of fun twists on tiki tropes. Live swing bands and toe-tapping playlists bring the atmosphere to life.
Source: CAHOOTS UNDERGROUND – Tripadvisor
4. Swift
This Soho gem is essentially two bars in one. Upstairs, it’s a fast-paced aperitivo bar with a focus on light, bright, and refreshing cocktails, ideal for pre-dinner drinks. Downstairs, however, you’ll find one of the city’s most seductive low-lit lounges. Velvet seating, jazz music, and a deeper, moodier drinks list await.
Try their Sgroppino (vodka, lemon sorbet, and prosecco) or a rich Penicillin. Either level showcases precision, balance, and a deep respect for craft.
Source: Swift Borough
5. Nightjar
Hidden down a nondescript staircase near Old Street, Nightjar is one of London’s original modern speakeasies and still one of its best. The menu is divided into eras like pre-Prohibition, Prohibition, and post-War, where each drink features ingredients and garnishes straight out of a magician’s tool kit.
Live jazz and swing acts complete the vintage ambiance. Signature cocktails come adorned with everything from feathers to dry ice to chocolate filigree. It’s as much about the atmosphere as the alcohol.
Source: Nightjar
6. The Connaught Bar
Set inside the five-star Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, this bar is the epitome of quiet elegance. Art Deco design, polished silver, and hushed tones form the backdrop for one of the most famous drinks in London: the Martini, served from a custom trolley at your table and tailored to your preferences.
The experience feels ceremonial. Every drink here is impeccably made and delicately balanced, but it’s the understated luxury and near-ritualistic attention to detail that make it unforgettable.
Source: The Connaught Bar & London’s Iconic Hotel Bars by David Collins Studio
7. Oriole
Oriole feels like a Victorian explorer’s fantasy come to life. Exotic plants, animal-print fabrics, and global musical acts set the scene for a cocktail menu inspired by the old world and the new.
Ingredients are sourced from around the world. You’ll find everything from Peruvian maca root to African baobab here, integrated into dazzling, baroque concoctions. Despite the globetrotting theme, service remains friendly and grounded. Book ahead: it’s popular for good reason.
Source: ORIOLE BAR, Tripadvisor
8. Scarfes Bar
Inside the Rosewood London hotel, Scarfes Bar blends the feel of a gentleman’s library with the energy of a lively cocktail lounge. Named after political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose work adorns the walls, the bar has a slightly irreverent streak in the best way.
The drinks take inspiration from books, history, and satire, and are always seasonally updated. With deep armchairs, roaring fireplaces, and live music in the evenings, it’s a cocoon of warmth and wit.
Source: Scarfes Bar, The Cutlery Chronicles
9. Satan’s Whiskers
This Bethnal Green favourite blends dive bar aesthetics with high-level cocktail execution. Taxidermy on the walls, a hip-hop soundtrack, and zero pretension make it feel local, but don’t be fooled.
The bartenders here are deadly serious about their Negronis, Daiquiris, and forgotten classics. The menu changes daily, but the precision never does. It’s the kind of place industry people go when they’re off-duty.
Source: Top 50 Cocktail Bars
10. Tayēr + Elementary
This Shoreditch powerhouse is two bars in one. Elementary is bright, open, and casual – ideal for walk-ins and quick cocktails. Tayēr, by contrast, is a creative lab: minimalist, intense, and wildly imaginative.
The menu is often ingredient-led rather than spirit-led, showcasing culinary techniques like fermentation, clarification, and infusions. It’s where bartending meets art, and it’s always changing. One of the most exciting cocktail bars in the world right now.
Source: Tayēr + Elementary, 50Best Discovery
11. Coupette
French by theme but London by soul, Coupette in Bethnal Green has gained global acclaim thanks to its simple yet brilliant approach to cocktails. The Apple Highball and Champagne Piña Colada are modern classics.
Expect a neighbourhood feel with world-class technique. The focus on French spirits, house-made cordials, and creative ingredients makes this bar a standout.
Source: COUPETTE – Tripadvisor
12. Three Sheets
This Dalston gem might be tiny, but it’s had an outsized influence on London’s cocktail scene. The minimalist menu features drinks with as few as three ingredients, each one layered to perfection. It feels almost meditative and quietly brilliant.
The French 75 is iconic, and the welcome is always warm. A great place to discover how simplicity can be its own kind of sophistication.
Source: Three Sheets – London – Bar – 50Best Discovery
13. Bar Termini
A tiny, Roman-inspired aperitivo bar in Soho that punches far above its size. Bar Termini is known for pre-batched Negronis (bottled and ready to serve), small-but-mighty espresso drinks, and elegant counter service. It’s the closest you’ll get to a proper Italian café bar in London.
With marble countertops and a limited seating area, it’s ideal for a quick but memorable stop.
Source: Bar Termini
14. Callooh Callay
This Shoreditch institution doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of the charm. Think whimsical menus hidden inside cassette tape cases, eclectic interiors, and playful drinks.
Despite the funhouse vibe, the bartenders are serious about their craft. Come for a night with friends and lean into the creativity.
Source: Callooh Callay | Top 50 Cocktail Bars
15. 69 Colebrooke Row (The Bar with No Name)
This Islington favourite is discreet to the point of invisibility. There’s no sign, just a black door. Inside you’ll dive deep into dim lights, jazz music, and a tightly curated list of classic and original drinks.
It’s the home base of cocktail legend Tony Conigliaro, and the drinks reflect that philosophy. They are subtle, elegant, and technically perfect. A must for true cocktail aficionados.
Source: 69 Colebrooke Row
Best Neighbourhoods in London for a Cocktail Journey
For something elegant: The Connaught Bar, American Bar, Scarfes Bar
For innovation: Tayēr, Lyaness, Nightjar
For a night out with friends: Callooh Callay, Cahoots, Swift
For a quiet drink solo: Satan’s Whiskers, Three Sheets, 69 Colebrooke Row
Whether you’re bar-hopping through Soho, settling in for an intimate date in Mayfair, or discovering hidden gems in East London, this list offers a roadmap to unforgettable cocktails in the capital. Book ahead when you can, go early if you can’t, and always ask the bartender what they’re excited to pour. That’s where the real magic begins.
Conclusion
London’s cocktail culture is as dynamic as the city itself – refined yet playful, rooted in tradition yet always evolving. Whether you find yourself sipping a signature martini beneath a chandelier in Mayfair or discovering a hidden gem behind an unmarked door in Shoreditch, each bar offers more than just a drink. It offers a moment, a memory, a story worth sharing.
Curated with care, this list is your invitation to experience the very best of London’s mixology scene. Choose a spot that speaks to your mood, bring someone worth toasting with, and let the evening unfold, one exquisite pour at a time.
If you wish to grab a bite before lounging in a cocktail bar until midnight, check out the best restaurants in London and make a reservation today!
And if you want to explore London’s most unforgettable bars with a local expert by your side, discover our bespoke London tours designed for travelers who value taste, access, and experience.
