27 of the best bars in London for cocktails, wine, happy hours and chilled out drinks

Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Road

Opening times: Live music nightly

Venue: Ronnie Scott’s, Upstairs

Looking for a sophisticated night out? Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is the place. Sip expertly mixed cocktails or feast on an indulgent three course meal, all while you soak up world renowned live jazz. it's one of London’s most iconic, intimate settings. The room is cosy enough to see what colour nail varnish the musicians are wearing - that’s how close you are. Whether you’re planning an impressively stylish date or an artsy catch-up, the low-lit interiors, candle-topped tables, quick table service and legendary atmosphere make it feel super special and very glam. A Soho institution for a reason. It’s cool, timeless, and sounds amazing. Great for IG.

Closest tube station: Hyde Park Corner

Opening times: Sunday - Wednesday 12pm - 1am (Last entry 12am) Thursday - Saturday 12pm - 4am (Last entry 2.15am)

Venue: Located inside Shanghai Me,on the 28th floor of the London Hilton Hotel on 22 Park Lane

Tucked behind a mirrored wall at Shanghai Me, Bund Lounge in London brings the glamour of 1930s Shanghai to life. The vibes in the bar are amazing, perfect for unwinding with friends over expertly crafted cocktails - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The food is just as good as the drinks. The Lobster Tempura Maki is a must-try, alongside Shanghai Crispy Calamari, Ground Wagyu Beef Corn Shells, and other sushi and sashimi options.

Cocktails are a highlight, with a Chinese Zodiac-inspired menu that really stands out. The Peacemaker (Year of the Rabbit) mixes Buckthorn, basil, cucumber, mastika, and carrot air, while the Stalwart (Ox) blends Butter Washed gin, yuzu sake, bitters, vermouth, and sweet panna cotta for balance. Every sip feels creative, indulgent, and effortlessly cool.

Closest tube station: Oxford Circus

Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 4pm to 1am, Thursday to Saturday, 12pm to 1am and Sunday 12pm to 11pm

Venue: Indoor and outdoor seating

For the ultimate house party feel in central London, you need to head to Little Violet Door. Whether it's a quick margarita after work, or a boozy bottomless brunch, or date night vibes you're after, you can't really go wrong with a trip here. The upstairs room gives major interior design inspo with its leopard print chairs and gallery walls, ideal for catching up with friends. Downstairs is where the party is at, with a DJ playing from Wednesday to Saturdays. Oh and let's not forget the drinks. We love their signature punch and their disco ball sharer cocktails. And if you get peckish, they do a variety of snacks including a delicious fried chicken and a truffle arancini.

Closest tube station: Tower Hill

Opening times: Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 3pm - 12am, Friday, 3pm - 2am, Saturday 12pm - 2am

Venue: Rooftop bar

Located on the 12th floor of the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel London in Tower Hill, Tower Hill, Savage Garden offers more than just panoramic city views - it serves up some of the finest drinks in London. Whether you're after a signature cocktail inspired by the city's rich history, a timeless classic, or a refreshing mocktail, there's something for every palate.

Step into their Mood Menu, where cocktails are creatively crafted to reflect the emotional profiles of four mood-enhancing chemicals: Serotonin, Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Melatonin. From energising and uplifting to soothing and serene, each drink tells its own unique story.

We recommend the Amor Fati if you're a fan of sweet, rum-based cocktails, or the Soplo De Aire for a more calming, contemplative sip. And for the alcohol-free babes? The passion fruit virgin mojito is a tropical delight!

Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Road

Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 12pm – 11:30pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 12am

Venue: Indoors

If you’re after an award-winning cocktail menu (and plenty of knowledgeable bar staff to decode it for you), a sultry rock and roll vibe, plus delicious Japanese small plates (that are actually… pretty big) – look no further. Thirteen LDN is your ideal spot! It’s part of the Chateau Denmark hotel's lobby, although you’d never know that seeing as the 44 rooms are scattered around 16 different buildings on nearby Denmark Street (very chaotic, very old school Soho). There’s a different DJ manning the decks every night too, meaning you’re always in for a musical surprise. Thirteen LDN is glam… but never pretentious. P.S. After a cool venue for an event? Check out dial8, the hidden bar tucked away downstairs. - Jennifer Savin (Features Editor)

Closest tube station: Covent Garden

Opening times: Friday and Saturday 12-11:30pm, Sunday 12-9pm, Monday to Thursday 12-11pm

Venue: Indoors

Looking for a girlie wine and cheese night? Well, you’ve come to the right place because Plume in Covent Garden has the best offering of bubbles and small plates (our fave being the shaved parmesan chips) with a cosy speakeasy vibe. For the ultimate date spot, head downstairs beneath the underground arches and bond over how the surroundings once were Charles Dickens' office. Cool, huh? - Lia Mappoura (Beauty Writer)

Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Room (Elizabeth line exit)

Opening times: Thursday to Saturday 5 - 12.30am

Venue: Indoors

This little speakeasy is a perfect date night spot nestled in the heart of Soho. It’s hidden (just like its sister bar in Amsterdam) so look out for The Seafood Bar and head downstairs. The interiors are plush and velvety, with mood lighting and seating coves for intimate conversations. The star of the show is the cocktail menu – they are truly some of the best that you’ll have in central London. They of course do the classics, but you need to order the Sour Cherry Sidecar and Tommy’s Spicy Mezcalita – just trust us. - Keeks Reid (Beauty Director)

Closest tube station: Liverpool Street

Opening times: Monday to Sunday – open until late

Venue: Two indoor bars

Fresh on the Liverpool Street Scene, Poolhouse is where cocktails meet a competitive streak. Brand new and already buzzing, it pairs sleek interiors – think low lighting, polished wood and a members’ club feel – with high-tech virtual pool tables that turn a casual night into a full-blown event.

Go for the games or skip straight to the good stuff: two bars serve up a world-class drinks list from sharp, spirit-forward classics (a Cosmopolitan is our fave, obvs) to playful house cocktails worth working through (Spots or Stripes, we’re looking @ you). And while spots like this often phone it in on the food front, at Poolhouse, it’s just as strong as the activity – particularly the bao buns and fried Korean cauliflower. Elevated sharing plates perfect for grazing between shots (the drinks and pool kind)? Don’t mind if we do!

Closest tube station: Liverpool Street

Opening times: Sunday to Wednesday, 3pm - 1am, Thursday and Friday, 3pm - 3am, Saturday, noon - 3am.

Venue: Indoors

Arguably the best view in London, you're likely already aware of Duck and Waffle and SUSHISAMBA in the Heron Tower - but have you heard about the Samba Room yet? Newly opened for 2024, the intimately lit bar is all about soft curves, carved wood and velvet seating, serving unique and vibrant cocktails. There's also a menu of bar bites inspired by the restaurant's Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian flare, including Taquitos and Samba Rolls. Word of advice: you have to get the seaweed!

Closest tube station: Bond Street

Opening times: Tuesday to Thursday, 4pm to 1am, Friday to Saturday, 3pm - 1am, Sunday, 4:30pm - 12am

Venue: Indoors

If you're looking for a bar to celebrate a special occasion, look no further than the Red Room at The Connaught. Located through a velvet curtained entryway, this bar has one of the most gorgeous interiors we've seen in a bar, and showcases art work in, you guessed it, shades of red. The Red Room has a selected cocktail menu and a selection of meats and cheese to graze on.

Closest tube station: Monument

Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 11am - 11.30pm, Thursday 11am - 12:30am, Friday 11am - 1am, Saturday 10am - 1.30am, Sunday 1oam - 11pm

Venue: Indoors

If you love a Campari cocktail, you need to put The Alchemist Monument on your must-visit list, because they are the proud owners of the UK's first ever Negroni bar. The menu features five variations of the Negroni (Classic, Barrel-Aged, Paradiso, Pressurised Negroni, Negroni Sour and non-alcoholic Negroni) while the bar itself looks straight out of a retro movie.

Closest tube station: Arsenal or Finsbury Park

Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 9pm, Tuesday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm

Venue: Indoors

Book lovers, we have the bar for you. Nestled in Finsbury Park BookBar is both a bookshop and bar. Great to head to if you're looking for somewhere to spend an hour with a glass of wine hauled up with your favourite book, or perfect for a first date, where you can vet their literary habits.

Closest train station: East Dulwich

Opening times: Tuesday to Thursday, 5 - 11pm, Friday to Saturday, 5pm - 12am, Sunday, 4-10pm

Venue: Indoors

FunkiDory was opened in 2018 by Sergio and Anna who created a laid back cocktail bar, with perfectly curated playlists ideal for chilling out and catching up with your friends. The cocktails are affordable and put funky twists on classic favourites. Banaperol Spritz anyone?

Closest tube station: Covent Garden

Opening times: Monday to Wednesday, 11:30am to 9pm, Thursday to Saturday, 11:30am to 9:30pm and Sundays 11am to 4pm

Venue: Indoors

Part of the larger La Goccia Italian inspired restaurant, the bar inside is dark and moody, perfect for an early evening date or catchup with your bestie before your dinner plans (which should be at the main restaurant FYI). With soft velvet chairs and a variety of cocktails, including a whole page dedicated to negronis, it's one of our go-tos for a cocktail and catchup. Oh, and the complimentary potato chips get them some serious brownie points too.

Closest tube station: Tottenham Court Road

Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 11:30pm, Friday to Saturday 10am - 1am, Sunday, 11am - 10:30pm

Venue: Indoors

Bar Termini is a small, intimate bar with excellent service and it often feels like stepping back in time to 1950s Italy when you pay the Soho bar a visit. The menu is small with classics like their Spritz Termini and four different negronis.

Closest tube station: Piccadilly Circus

Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 4pm - 11:30pm, Friday, 2pm -12am, Saturday 1pm - 12am, Sunday, 2pm - 10:30pm

Venue: Indoors and outdoors

The Yard Bar is an LGBTQ+ bar, tucked away in Soho and has a great atmosphere for a quick after work drink or spending a good few hours on a Saturday afternoon huddled in their courtyard with a few margaritas.

Closest tube station: Covent Garden

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm - 1:30am

Venue: Indoors

Hidden away in Covent Garden, is one of our favourite speakeasy bars Cache Cache. The dark and moody interiors make for great Instagram pics and their cocktail menu is full of classics like spicy margaritas and bee knees, to Cache Cache specials like the Princess Cache and The Great Gatsby.

Closest tube station: Hackney Wick

Opening times: Sunday to Thursday, 12 -11pm, Monday, Closed, Friday to Saturday, 12pm to 1am

Venue: Indoors and outdoors

For the ultimate place to spend an afternoon soaking up the sun and all the relaxed vibes head to No90 Bar in Hackney Wick. Next to the canal, with a spicy watermelon margarita in hand, while the sun goes down? It doesn't get better than that.