This can be odd, disconcerting and occasionally unpleasant, but when they get things right, it’s a revelation. It's delicious: drinking it feels like reading a murder mystery under the blankets. There’s a basic sense of taste, for both flavour and decor, then there’s considerations of budget (itself a slightly different concern to value for money). Their sister, the terrific Bloomsbury Club Bar downstairs, is also a must – ask for Brian. Though it's not hard to find a decent drink in London, there's no such thing as the perfect bar. It can be tricky to find in the basement of Mayfair restaurant Momo, but once you're inside the calm atmosphere is a welcome respite from the busy streets of central London. Though their innovations tend to be tremendous, the classics (which are off menu) are always done expertly. Early evening, have a Negroni – it’s the favourite of bartender Pippa Guy, who says: “It epitomises beauty in simplicity. Say the words “apple cider” to an American and they’ll probably think you’re referring to a warm, non-alcoholic drink made with apple juice and spices like cinnamon and cloves. – but things have just been changed again and they’ve wiped a little smugness off the prices. Open since 2008, the bar has become a mainstay of the vibrant neighborhood and visitors can rely on the bartenders to make personalized drink recommendations (especially if the long menu is daunting). It’s very relaxed but gets lively and their Sazerac is world class; I’m not sure there’s a better one in town (though Soho’s Cafe Boheme rarely disappoints if your order is precise enough). The basement spot is all about sustainably sourced ingredients and great music, and the bar hosts a weekly party every Saturday night. 12 Old Compton St, Soho, W1D 4TQ, barswift.com. Drinking isn't permitted on the London Tube, but you can imbibe in an old Underground station at Cahoots, a lively bar in Soho that stays open late. Nevertheless, it works beautifully. And if the song gets stuck in your head, then that can only be a good thing. Music is reliably good, with regular sessions from Nick Shankland, who is surely the hardest working pianist in town. Given it’s routinely declared the best bar in London, there is something of the ‘must-see’ about it and in all fairness, they do step up to the challenge. The chic cocktail bar is located alongside the Thames in the Sea Containers London hotel and welcomes guests to taste test drinks off experimental menus that use natural ingredients in new ways. Food is terrific (try it all for about £26 a head between two) and even if it’s altogether a bit too pleased with itself, there’s lots to like. The Blind Pig (address and info)SohoBar manager Gareth Evans might not wear tight tights, but he certainly gives rich taste buds a run for their money. Every day we drink 165 million cups of the stuff and each year around 144 thousand tons of tea are imported. Located above the Michelin-starred restaurant Social Eating House, The Blind Pig has a speakeasy aesthetic and serves creative cocktails often inspired by different themes (they've had several menus based on children's literature). With dark wood paneling and dim lighting, the bar has the feeling of a hideaway, where guests can cuddle up in a dark corner or grab a seat at the bar. ©2020 Group Nine Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Another drink from the mind of Gareth Evans, this time served sitting high up in Tower 42 near Liverpool St. Bulleit rye, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Gancia … Serious talent behind the bar has been experimenting, fermenting, growing, distilling. Callooh Callay (address and info)ShoreditchThis is an oldie but a goodie, created by Sean Ware. Whether you're looking for a crisp, icy gin martini in a historic hotel bar or an imaginative cocktail unlike anything you've ever tasted in a hipster basement, London has the spot for you. Tucked away downstairs is a swank little bar that has some serious drinks going on. There's also a list of non-alcoholic options, including a kombucha of the week, and a small menu of food and snacks. It’s not pricey, is proudly quirky and overflows with New Orleans’ inspired charm. Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, rosewoodhotels.com. Booking in advance is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Classics are their strong suit; their Aviation (gin, maraschino cherry, lemon juice) is nicely bracing, while the Old Fashioned is exactly that, with no modern messing about. It's named for caricaturist Gerald Scarfe and many of his iconic works decorate the walls, as well as the menu itself. The drinks menu is clever, featuring both original creations and classics. It is odd, distinct, minty but slightly creamy and slightly oily, though much tastier than any of those words suggest. Hard cider and gin cocktails … Arguably the best cocktail bar in all of London, Satan's Whiskers is an unassuming spot in Bethnal Green with a penchant for the classics. Named World’s Best Bar at World’s 50 Best in 2017, the bar is fairly formal, with white-suited bartenders and high-end table service (as well as a live pianist). Opened in 2016 by a pair of brothers, Noel and Max Venning, the bar is tiny, with a personal vibe that means you'll get lots of attention from the staff. Then come the other things; are you on a date, out with friends, on your own? The American Bar seems to warrant a place on these sorts of a lists as if by law. The Top 10 Things to Do in Whitechapel, London, The Best Places to Find Mexican Food in London, Nightlife in London: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, Nightlife in Guadalajara: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, Nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City: Best Bars, Clubs, & More, The 10 Best Things To Do in London's Fitzrovia Neighborhood, The Top 16 Restaurants in Buckhead, Atlanta, The Ultimate Guide to Nightlife in Vienna, Top 10 Vancouver Cocktail Bars & Drink Spots, The Best Bars, Clubs and Live Music Venues in Calgary, The 15 Best Places To Drink Cocktails In London. It’s easy enough to have one too many, so be careful. Sign up here for our daily London email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in the city. Harnessing one of the oldest recorded scents of frankincense and coupling it with the calming qualities of camomile with the rich depth of Merlet Cognac, it will make you feel like a wise man indeed. It was hard enough to name 50 of our favourites, and getting to 10 has been almost impossible. The Guinness is excellent and the natural wine selection is among the best in the capital, but come here for a punch. It’s French feeling (though, thankfully not where the music’s concerned), and big on Calvados, which is a criminally underrated drink over her (just ask Gerald at Bistro Mirey). It is all very grand but all very playful too, and for a hotel bar, downright reasonable. While there are still elements of the wrong crowd coming through the doors (lawyers are very hard to shake), mostly it is now a low-lit library of charm. London bar named best in the world at Oscars of the cocktail scene, The Coral Room: Possibly the perfect hotel bar, The American Bar at The Savoy, reviewed: A triumph of evolution, Where to drink the best Guinness in London, Untitled bar review: A public apology to Tony Conigliaro, London's 10 best bars and what to drink in them, {{#singleComment}}{{value}} comment{{/singleComment}}{{^singleComment}}{{value}} comments{{/singleComment}}. Who wouldn’t want to ask for a Silver Pistol (montelobos, dry vermouth, kummel, celery bitters, absinthe)? The cocktail menus vary in each bar, but both emphasize innovative drinks that use global ingredients like shiso, kumquat, and jasmine. Some cultural drinks are hot tea (having an afternoon tea is very common) and beer is the main alcoholic beverage of choice – there are pubs on every corner for you to go grab a pint. With an easy 50/50 split of Bulleit rye and Cynar, just a pinch of salt to mellow it out, and garnished with coronations, it’s a bit sweet, a touch bitter, and packs a major punch. Not a bad price, either, at £10. This newly opened bar has things right. With Somerset apple brandy, quince liqueur, honey mead, lemon, and even a mini apple bullseye, you will be a merry man indeed. The list below is in no particular order. You can opt-out at any time. There have always been drinking dens and battered pubs and good restaurants, but a smart, straight up-and-down cocktail bar was missing. The star drink is the Champagne Piña Colada, though, which deservedly is an award-winner. For more details, see our. 538 Kingsland Rd, Dalston, E8 4AH, untitled-bar.com. And if the song gets stuck in your head, then that can only be a good thing. Cub is one of London’s most exciting restaurants, and one of the most sustainable, too. There are no reservations, so it's best to head in early if you want to score one of the coveted tables. The menu changes daily, although they'll make whatever you fancy (pro tip: ask for a frozen Gold Rush), and there's also a solid list of food available. PortSide Parlour (address and info)ShoreditchAlthough PP is known for its impressive rum selection, it’s this whiskey-fueled number that really catches attention. If you’re just after the one drink, have the Manhattan Serve (Irish single malt, armagnac, sherry, squash seed oil, honey). London appreciates a good drink, a sentiment that is evident by the plethora of cocktail bars that dot the city's many neighborhoods. Nevertheless, it works beautifully. Discount Suit Company (address and info)AldgateWhile it might take you a couple tries to find the way into this basement-level drinking den, the Pina Fumada will make it all worth it. The Connaught Bar, nestled in the center of Mayfair's Connaught Hotel, has an actual martini trolley. See for yourself with the Naturalist, inspired by Sir David Attenborough: the back story is in the book, but a spirit made from soil burns cold in this twist on a Martini that is ice-white intense and blindingly strong in a way that puts Duke’s Bar to shame. That's right: a bartender will wheel a selection of booze over to your take and shake a perfect martini exactly to your liking. Reservations are available online and highly recommended as the bar is located in one of London's most popular areas. Artesian (address and info)MaryleboneArtesian has been having a phenomenal couple of years, winning so many awards that other cocktail bars can only console themselves with a stiff, inferior drink. While there are still elements of the wrong crowd coming through the doors (lawyers are very hard to shake), mostly it is now a low-lit library of charm. This tiny cocktail bar, just off the main road in Stoke Newington, has a tropical, exotic sensibility. There is a lot to drink here (including a hefty selection of English fizz), and they’re a dab hand with mezcal, but we’ve picked the espresso martini here for a reason: our experience sums up their attitude to their guests. It's got a 1940s theme and the drinks are inspired by the black market liquor of the era. On our East End Food Tour we’ll take you to an authentic English boozer where you can trya glass of the finest apple nec… There will be those who don’t think Bar Americain deserves a spot on this list, perhaps because it's not all about change or innovation. The bar is slightly off the beaten path, a short walk from Liverpool Street Station, and it's a solid alternative to the busy nearby spots in Shoreditch and Bethnal Green.