The sheer quality of London’s cocktail bars means drawing up any kind of short-list has been no easy task. However, doing the research was, as you can probably imagine, a great deal of fun! The capital’s high-end cocktail bars are creative, atmospheric and immersive. And, needless to say, the drinks are nothing short of perfection. With that in mind, this is our personal selection of some of 2024s most essential cocktail havens, which are the very backbone of the best bar scene anywhere on the planet…
Soho remains, as ever, an essential destination for anyone looking for a classy, fashionable and memorable night out. As such, Bar Termini delivers a charming dash of 1950s Italian charm. Situated on the famous Old Compton Street, this small, wonderfully designed cafe and drinking hole was inspired by the bar at the Termini train station in Rome. Alongside outstanding cocktails and aperitifs, you’ll also find great coffee and small plates of cheeses and charcuterie to die for. Meanwhile, the house Negroni is a speciality, served up by a friendly and dedicated team. One of Soho’s highlights.
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Created by the infamous Mr Lyan, this stylish, sophisticated location can be found on the ground floor of Sea Containers Hotel, overlooking the Thames on South Bank. Behind the bar here you’ll find a range of flavours specifically created for this exclusive venue, including infinite banana, green sauce liqueur and ultra raspberry. By combining such weird and wonderful ingredients, Lyaness has marked itself as a cultural spot of no small significance. Their menu is also flamboyant and wholly original, with the sea-bass ceviche tacos and tea doughnuts with ginger custard worth the trip alone.
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Three Sheets in Dalston only gets better with age, much like Dalston itself. The unshowy, low-key interior is polished and chic, and the drinks are seasonal, so a surprise whenever you visit. However, a staple is the French 75, constructed with Victory Gin, clear lemon, Moscato and orange flower before being carbonated. The menu is split into One Sheet, Two Sheets and, of course, Three Sheets, an approach that is perhaps dictated by the amount of time customers spend there and just how happy they are when they leave! Dalston is always a hot spot, with an outstanding bar and cafe culture, but Three Sheets remains the best.
On the corner of leafy, bustling Russell Square is the ritzy Kimpton Fitzroy London, and inside is Fitz’s Bar. A celebration of the Jazz Age, Fitz’s encapsulates everything a classic cocktail bar should be. Defined by its art deco elegance, the walls are covered in exuberant modern artworks, the music is as jazzy as you’d expect and the cocktails are served with impressive expertise. Overall, it’s like being at a party held by Jay Gatsby! Expect real glamour and the bar snacks are also excellent. So, if a chorizo scotch egg or a roast chicken and herb croquet served alongside a perfectly mixed vodka gimlet or mai tai sounds like your thing, Fitz’s could be just the place for you. Famous for good reason.
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Situated in hip and ever-popular Bethnal Green, Satan’s Whiskers doesn’t look much from the outside, but once you’re through its doors it’s like stepping into a different world. Characterised by an almost startling amount of taxidermy, genuine vintage bar posters and staff in shirts and braces, the atmosphere is always buzzy and welcoming. Meanwhile, their cocktails change daily and by using the freshest ingredients expect some of the best anywhere in town. A big hit amongst the local community, pretty much even night at Satan’s Whiskers feels like a laid-back, effortlessly cool gathering. Not to be missed.
Hoxton Square is a traditional London garden square in the legendary borough of Shoreditch. Hidden away in one corner is Happiness Forgets, a pared-back space that instead concentrates on its five-star service and cocktail list. Illuminated by candlelight, a stunning array of drinks are mixed right in front of the customer with a minimum of fuss. This is perhaps why Happiness Forgets is such a favourite among both connoisseurs and reviewers. Attracting regular visitors from across the city, they come back time and time again because, make no mistake, this is mixology at its absolute finest.
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