Pubs and bars are a significant part of British culture and are more than a remedy for relaxation and drinking because they operate as a social hub, a heart of villages, towns and cities throughout the entire country. In this list, you will find out about the best bars in London for both expensive and simple taste.
1. The Connaught
Address: The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL
If you are a lover of luxurious elegance, then The Connaught is your next favourite spot. The interior of this bar is reminiscient of English and Irish Cubist art of the 1920s. The Connaught even has its own gin. According to Connaught’s official website, in 2020, this bar was recognised as ‘World’s Best Bar’ in The World’s 50 Best Bars. The Connaught is open from Monday to Thursday from 4 pm until 12 am, and from Friday to Saturday from 4 pm till 1 am.
2. Eve Bar
Address: 34-35 Southampton Street, WC2E 7HG
“Be transported away from the hustle and bustle of Covent Garden into our dark and seductive den, with luxe interiors and carefully curated artwork from some of London’s hottest up and coming artists,” says Eve Bar. This bar and restaurant belongs to Adam Handling’s restaurant group, which serves high-quality British foods inspired by the city of London. Eve Bar offers exceptional signature cocktails, and the restaurant has 100% zero-waste practices. Eve Bar is open from Tuesday to Wednesday up until 4 pm till late, and from Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm till late.
3. Oriole Bar
Address: East Poultry Avenue, Smithfield Markets, London, EC1A 9LH
“The Oriole’s sumptuous space is an oasis of warmth, mystery and magic where for the space of an evening Londoners and visitors alike can enjoy a glorious sense of disconnection from the outside world,” says Oriole Bar. In this bar, you will be welcomed with a posh interior, fascinating drinks and outstanding hospitality. Oriole is a cashless venue that has a smart casual dress code, open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 7 pm until late.
4. Beaufort Bar
Address: The Savoy, The Strand, London, WC2R 0EZ
Glamorous Beaufort Bar can be found at the legendary Savoy hotel. Beaufort offers both classically timeless and modern drinks with a twist. This bar also has a variety of options of Champagne by the glass and by the bottle. “Entitled Interpreted Magic, the Beaufort Bar’s menu takes guests through the history and performance of magic through the ages,” says Beaufort’s website. Clients of this sophisticated bar are required to wear a smart casual dress code. Beaufort operates from Thursday to Saturday from 5 pm till 12 am.
5. The Bar
Address: The Dorchester, Park Lane, London, W1K 1QA
“The Bar is a true London landmark where the celebrity stories are true, and the drinks are incredible”. If one of your life desires is to see a celebrity, The Bar at The Dorchester is a spot you have to go. There you can expect unforgettable parties, live music, fascinating drinks and guaranteed quality time. Forbes described The Bar as “one of the world’s best hotel bars”. The Bar welcomes guests on Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm till 12 am, on Friday and Saturday from 12 pm till 12 am, and on Sunday from 12 am till 5 pm.
6. King’s Cross Simmons Bar
Address: 32 Caledonian Road, London, N1 9DT
At Simmons Bar, you will be able to try a console full of classic games, practice your dance moves on the dance floor and party with DJs until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Each day this fun bar has a Happy Hour that lasts from 4 pm until 9 pm. From Sundays to Wednesdays, Simmons is open from 4 pm till 12 am; on Thursdays from 4 pm till 2 am; on Fridays from 4 pm until 3 am, and on Saturdays from 12 pm till 3 am.
7. Homeboy Bar Islington
Address: 108 Essex Road, Islington, N1 8LX
Homeboy Bar brings Irish hospitality, traditional food and drinks such as Irish Whiskey, and a pint of Guinness with a modern flair to London. According to Homeboy’s official website, hospitality plays an important role in Irish culture and dates back hundreds of years. “There was once a set of civil laws in Ireland that stated if a traveller was in need, an Irish citizen must welcome them into their home and offer food, drink, entertainment and a bed,” says the website. This bar works on Sundays to Thursdays from 3 pm till 11 pm, and from Fridays till Saturdays from 3 pm till 1 am.
8. Buddha Bar
“Winner of Outstanding Achievement At London Club & Bar Awards 2017,” this bar serves Far Eastern Cuisine such as Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Eastern flavours that are elegantly intertwined to create a new-wave Pacific cuisine with Western elements. Buddha Bar is proud of its unique cocktail collection, and it has an extensive selection of globally famous drinks and uncommon discoveries. This bar is open from Mondays to Thursdays from 6 pm till 1 am, from Fridays to Saturdays from 5 pm till 1 am and Sundays from 5 pm till 11.30 pm.
9. The Hippodrome Casino
Address: Hippodrome, Cranbourn Street, London, WC2H 7JH
The Hippodrome Casino is known for its hit show, Magic Mike Live, and is a hub of eight bars over six five floors, all in one place. The Rooftop, three-tier terrace in the open air, themed as an abandoned garden; Upper Gods Bar that has the Gods Casino and outside gaming area; Lower Gods Bar with entrance to the Lower Gods terrace; The Penny Bar that gives you a glimpse to the Grand Casino floor; Heliot Cocktail Bar which is situated closely to the steak house with a view to the Grand Casino; Boozy Tea Room that welcomes as pre-theatre site; Grand Casino Bar, seated between the Grand Casino tables and electronic games and Lola’s Bar, designed as an artefact of the past’s entertainment era. The Hippodrome Casino operates for 24 hours!
10. Moonshine Saloon
Address: 28-30 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7DB
“Bring a bottle of your finest liquor to my barkeeps to mix up for us and we’ll see if you have the chops to join my smuggling gang,” says Moonshine Saloon. Fans of Western films will love the Moonshine Saloon, as it is a themed bar that will bring you to the immersive theatrical experience of crime, love and the dilemma between good and bad. At this bar you can also expect cards and dice games and fantastic cocktails. Design My Night gave Moonshine Saloon an award in 2018/19, and in 2019 TripAdvisor gave Moonshine Saloon a certificate of excellence. Moonshine Saloon accepts customers on Wednesday to Thursday from 7.05 pm till 8.50 pm; on Friday from 7.05 pm till 8.50 pm and 9.30 pm till 11.15 pm; on Saturday from 4.40 pm till 6:25 pm, from 7:05 pm till 8.50 pm and from 9.30 pm till 11.15 pm.
11. Alcotraz
Address: 212 Brick Lane, London, E1 6SA
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to be a prisoner? Alcotraz is an adventure for daredevils, as there you will be drinking behind bars. Besides London, this extreme experience can be found in Brighton, Manchester and even virtually. In 2018/19 Design My Night gave an award to Alcotraz, also in 2019, TripAdvisor acknowledged this bar with the certificate of excellence. Alcotraz works on Tuesday to Wednesday from 7.05 pm to 8.50 pm; on Thursday from 7.05 pm to 8.50 pm, and from 9.30 pm to 11.15 pm; on Friday from 4:40 pm to 6.25 pm, from 7.05 pm till 9.50 pm, and from 9.30 pm till 11.15 pm; on Saturday and Sunday from 4:40 pm till 6.25 pm, from 7.05 pm to 8.50 pm and from 9.30 pm to 11:15 pm.
12. Belushi’s London Bridge
Address: 161-165 Borough High Street, SE1 1HR, London, United Kingdom
This venue is a must-go for students, as at Belushi’s, you will be welcomed with Happy Hour, student deals, projectors screening football matches, NFL, and even AFL also awesome entertaining options such as live music shows, open mic, Rockaoke, guest DJs, and even beer pong that currently are closed due to restrictions. Belushi’s London Bridge Happy Hour comes every day Monday to Friday from 4 until 7 pm, and you can get 2 for 1 Sol or Craft Cans, 2 for 1 Cocktails, 2 for 1 Gin & Tonics, £18 bottles of Prosecco and 241 selected burgers. This bar accepts customers from Sunday to Wednesday from 12 pm to midnight; on Thursday from 12 pm till 1 am and on Friday and Saturday from 12 pm till 2 am.
13. The Pool Lounge
Address: 122 Elephant Road, London, SE17 1LB
The Pool Lounge is not a regular bar, as it embraces the rhythm of Latin America. There you can find three American pool tables, one French billiard carambola table, a ping pong table, over 40 types of drinks, the ability to watch live sports and a vibrant atmosphere. The Pool Lounge is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 2 pm till 10 pm.
14. Purl London
Address: 50/54 Blandford Street, London, W1U7HX
“The aim of the bar was to bring classic cocktails back to the forefront of London’s drinking scene, whilst adding new flare and creativity to forgotten libations from the prohibition era”. Purl London strives to create a captivating experience through experimenting with guests’ senses by incorporating “aroma, fogs, airs, foams, food, bespoke serviceware and liquid nitrogen”. Contemporary, swing, jazz and blues sounds play at this bar, and even live jazz music is performed on Wednesday nights. In 2017/18, DesignMyNight awarded Purl London, and in 2018, TripAdvisor gave this venue a certificate of excellence. Purl London is open from Monday to Saturday from 4 pm till 10 pm.
15. Scarfes Bar
Address: 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN
“An artfully social bar located a stone’s throw from London’s Covent Garden”. Scarfes Bar is founded by British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe. This venue is a product of Scarfe’s personal collection of paintings, emphasising his best work. In 2020, Scarfe’s Bar was ranked No. 25 on the Top 500 Bars List of 2020, No.54 on The World’s 50 Best Bars List, and the Best International Hotel Bar, Spirited Awards, Tales of the Cocktail 2020. Scarfe’s Bar welcomes customers from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 4 pm till late.
All of the fifteen mentioned bars are unique in their presence, services, options of entertainment and clientele, but all of them received appraisals and are worth being considered the best bars that London has to offer.
Last Updated on July 8, 2024
Published on October 18, 2021
