Bar – Articles about London

The Mirror Bar at the Landmark London has settled into winter mode with a little help from Beluga Vodka, and the result is a gorgeous, cosy retreat, perfect for those colder evenings. Inside, it is all low lighting and glossy mirrored panels, which gives the whole place a sleek feel. You can tuck in...

Christmas is arriving early in Walthamstow as the Blackhorse Beer Mile throws its annual festive party on Saturday 6 December. The whole stretch of Blackhorse Lane will be busy from midday, with breweries and bars running their own take on Christmas eating, drinking and the usual December drama. Big...

London's LGBTQ+ nightlife is famed around the world, but there's more to the city than Soho clubs, with lots of different inclusive spaces, sights, and services available to queer individuals. From restaurants and bars flying the rainbow flag to gender-neutral hair salons and libraries delving into...

Swift Shoreditch, the award-winning cocktail bar that's already a hit amongst people who know their mezcal from their martinis, is opening its doors to a pop-up dedicated entirely to pickled onions. So, if you have ever looked at a jar of Garner's and thought you would happily drink the brine, this...

Despite the Beer Orders of 1989, independent pubs in London still seem very much a dying breed, often being sold off or even shuttered due to rising economic costs. That said, there are still quite a few excellent London free houses standing their ground in order to offer the best of what a pub is s...

London has always taken its pubs seriously, but the current Guinness boom has taken things to another level. If you're privy to splitting the G, you'll know exactly what we mean. Suddenly, everyone's talking about it, frantically searching for where to get a pint that actually settles properly. We'd...

Hi-fi listening bars are all the rage in London these days. Inspired by the jazz kissa bars of Japan, these relaxed, stylish listening lounges offer serious audiophiles and casual listeners alike the opportunity to enjoy a lovingly curated vinyl collection served via a state-of-the-art sound system.

Daly's has made a comeback, and it's had quite the glow-up. The long-loved wine bar opposite the Royal Courts of Justice has reopened as Daly's Wine Bar & Beer Hall, giving Londoners two very different reasons to stop by. Upstairs, it's all polished glasses and chatter over Malbec, but head down...

Boxhall City in Liverpool Street hangout is giving out 1,000 free pints for one night only, and the rules are surprisingly simple. Turn up, say the words "pint please", and walk away with a Madrí Excepcional or a Guinness. No app sign-ups or awkward loyalty cards, just a polite request and a cold dr...

South Bank and Waterloo might be better known for theatres, galleries and tourists trailing along the river, but the pub scene here has plenty going for it. You get riverside spots perfect for long summer afternoons and backstreet locals that still feel like proper neighbourhood secrets. It is an ar...

After years of speculation, Guinness is finally getting a proper London home, and it's a biggun'. The Guinness Open Gate Brewery will open its doors in Covent Garden on December 11, transforming the historic Old Brewer's Yard into a 54,000-square-foot playground for beer lovers, foodies, and cult Gu...

There's a new bar coming to Covent Garden that's channelling a bit of New York energy, opening this November. Cato is the latest project from hospitality group Bart & Taylor (the folks behind some of the UK's most celebrated pubs and bars), created in partnership with award-winning bartender Ang...

Fitzrovia pubs are mainly a weekday proposition, with many of them even closed on Sundays. Regardless, they're a great option for when you'd like the walking distance convenience of a Central London pub while avoiding the constant crowds in Soho and other famous areas. Not to mention, the area used...

The World's 50 Best Bars for 2025 were revealed at the annual awards ceremony yesterday, with a new bar crowned in the top spot and four of London's finest ranking on the list. One of the most prestigious awards a bar can win, the World's 50 Best Bars list rewards excellence in mixology, presentatio...

Humble Grape has announced that its seventh London venue is set to open in November, located beneath the iconic Bow Bells, within the 11th-century crypt of St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside. Yes, that's right, inside an actual crypt. The crypt, with its original Norman arches and groined vaults, has been...

Starting on Thursday 9 October, the best cocktail bars in London are coming together to celebrate creative mixology in all its glory. The annual London Cocktail Week is an 11-day festival dedicated to cocktails, with some of the finest cocktail bars in the world offering signature limited-edition co...

Between Borough Market and the Bermondsey Beer Mile, pubs in Southwark often get overlooked when it comes to this busy borough's main draws. We're here to correct that, as there's more to Southwark's boozers than thirsty tourist traps or chain pubs catering to a rushed commuter crowd. Read our guide...

Anyone who's ever wandered in from the cold, only to be greeted by a roaring fire, knows how great pubs with fireplaces are. Sipping on a nice ale, slouched comfortably by the hearth as the flames defrost your frozen toes, pubs with a fireplace are the best place to be on a chilly winter night. Thou...

The Blackhorse Beer Mile never really needs an excuse for a party, but this weekend, Saturday, October 4, they've got a good one. They're going all out for an old-school harvest festival, bringing together live music, dancing, community vibes, and, of course, plenty of beer. Things kick off on Frida...

Neighbourhood Italian restaurant Nipotina is marking Negroni Week (22–28 September) with three new takes on the iconic cocktail. All three of the limited edition Negroni cocktails cost £12 and are playful twists on the all-time classics. The classic Negroni kicks things off: the Negramaro, made with...

Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club has announced the launch of Upstairs at Ronnie's, a newly reimagined 140-capacity venue on the first floor of the Soho landmark. The space, closed in 2024 for refurbishment, has been rebuilt as an intimate auditorium with a striking new design, enhanced acoustics, upgraded s...

Bird House Brewery, the independent spot under the arches, is teaming up with the London Brewers' Alliance to host a four-day festival of pints, BBQ, and DJs from 25–28 September. Here's the deal: expect over 60 taps of London-brewed beer (including 50 guest lines from some of the city's best b...

Celebrity chef Robin Gill is back, this time with Bar Brasso, a café-deli by day and an aperitivo bar by night, opening on 27 September beside his restaurant Darby's in Embassy Gardens. Inspired by the bar cultures of San Sebastián and Venice, the new spot promises coffee and pastries in the morning...

Negroni Week is back, and London's hotel bars are raising the bar on Italy's iconic aperitivo. From 19–28 September, four of the capital's best bars – The Coral Room, The Bloomsbury Club Bar, The K Bar and The Cocktail Bar at The Marylebone – are shaking up limited-edition Negroni menus. At The Cora...

From 9–30 September 2025, Luna Omakase – the twelve-seat sushi counter located high above the City on the 9th floor of 100 Liverpool Street – is joining forces with Château Mercian, Japan's oldest and most prestigious winery, for a one-off Japanese wine pairing. The setting alone...

Covent Garden might be best known for being a bit of a tourist draw, thanks to its street performers and lively market, but it's also a hot spot for jazz lovers. While some of the clubs in this guide sit right in the heart of Covent Garden, others are just a short stroll away in nearby Soho, one of...

Beyond the private members' clubs and fine-dining institutions, this corner of London is home to some of the city's most glamorous late-night drinking spots. From five-star hotel lounges shaking up martinis at midnight to sexy speakeasies hidden behind ambiguous doors, these bars keep the party goin...

The UK might be famous for its ales, but that doesn't mean wine culture goes unappreciated here. In fact, there are pleasant wine bars to be found across the city, ranging from Parisian-style bistros to modern temples to the grape. Our guide to the best wine bars in Central London highlights the top...

The roar of a packed crowd, a perfectly poured pint, and big screen giving off stadium vibes – watching sports live in a bar can be a real winner. It has to be the right sports bar, though, not some dingy little dive with a grainy 15" telly jammed into a corner somewhere. Central London has no short...

There was a time when punters would come from far and wide for a Sunday roast at The Tavern on the Hill in Walthamstow – famously, even Stormzy came to check it out. The beloved neighbourhood pub close in July this year, but is already gearing up to write the next chapter under new management. The L...

Covent Garden is one of the most famous parts of London, with tens of thousands of tourists wandering its streets every day. Thanks to the constant churn, things can get pretty pricey around these parts, making going out for drinks here a risky proposition, wallet-wise. All's not lost however, as ou...

With well-heeled patrons walking the streets and the majority of venues more on the high-end side of things, Mayfair isn't really the top choice when it comes to watching live sports in a rowdy setting. Even so, live sports are never too far away in London, and you can find some decent sports bars i...

Central London has a bar on every corner, but not all are worth squeezing into your Friday night plans. Forget the overpriced tourist traps and generic cocktail menus; we've rounded up the spots actually worth your time. From some of the best bars in the world (yes, actual facts) and underground spe...

Notting Hill isn't all pastel houses and that famous market, it's also quietly becoming one of London's go-to neighbourhoods for wine lovers. Whether you're after a cute neighbourhood gem for a glass or two with a friend, or a place to explore natural and biodynamic bottles, this guide rounds up the...

With its reputation for vintage markets, country-like pubs, and quaint romcom charm, you might be wondering whether there are any decent cocktail bars in Notting Hill. We're happy to inform you that not only are there quite a few, some of the best cocktail bars in the world can actually be found rig...

After nearly 12 years of serving up some of East London's best cocktails (and one too many picklebacks), The Natural Philosopher — the little bar tucked behind a Mac repair shop on Hackney Road — is closing its doors for good this August. Since opening, The Natural Philosopher ha...

CleanCo, founded by British TV personality and Guinness World Record holder Spencer Matthews, has launched London's first alcohol-free Clean Cocktail Bar in partnership with Brityard, running as a pop-up on Regent Street from 1 July to 30 September 2025. The bar offers a curated menu of 0.0% cocktai...

This July, The Bloomsbury Club is turning up the heat with Cuban Nights, a celebration in honour of Daiquiri Week. They have teamed up with Ron Santiago de Cuba and are serving up a slice of Havana in the heart of the city, complete with a limited-edition cocktail menu and three nights of live...

If you happen to wander down Redchurch Street in search of a drinking den that's effortlessly cool and oh-so-Shoreditch, you'll want to pop into Chiave – the little, sexy cocktail and listening bar that's fast becoming one of East London's hottest hangouts. You'll find them at number 36, where the...

The Connaught Bar's latest creation, the 'Silver Seventeen', is a limited-edition drink celebrating the launch of Jack Daniel's rare 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, and it's every bit as lavish as it sounds. It's been crafted by the Connaught's legendary Head Bartender, Agostino Perrone, and is the p...

Shoreditch has long been London's hangout for the cool, creative types, and its gay bars are no exception. The area thrums with excellent LGBTQ+ nightlife spots, from cocktail bars to late-night dance floors, this area is home to some of the city's best queer nightlife. Swing by one of the venues fo...

The heart of London's creative scene beats to the rhythm of its own drum – and you can experience that rhythm live at one of the many music bars in Shoreditch. From low-lit basement dives to teched-out listening bars, Shoreditch has plenty of venues that turn up the volume for jazz, funk, rock, soul...

Top Cuvée's Tour De Cuvée returns this summer with a fun-filled community ride from London to Brighton. Following the success of last year's 200-strong crowd, the 2025 edition is expanding with 100 extra spots, fresh merch, and an even bigger afterparty. Designed for everyone, the ride welcomes all...

Even though it's not as well-known for its bar scene as some of the other parts of London, there are still lots of cool places to get a drink in Marylebone, from chill wine bars to elegant cocktail bar and speakeasy-style hideaways. Our guide to the coolest bars in Marylebone shines a spotlight on t...

Looking to escape the buzz of the city streets without wandering too far? There's no better way than heading up, quite literally. Our guide to the best rooftop bars near Marylebone rounds up the very best spots to enjoy a cheeky drink, soak up some sun, and take in sweeping views of the city skyline...

Covent Garden is one of the best-known, buzziest areas of London, but that doesn't mean it keeps going around the clock – many of its bars and pubs shut up shop for the day quite early. It's now impossible to get a drink here late at night, however, as proven by our guide to the best late-night bars...

In this economy, going out for drinks in Shoreditch might seem like a self-destructive choice, at least as far as your wallet is concerned, but fear not – this guide proves it's not mission impossible. If you're looking for all the details on the best drink deals, happy hour offers, and other bar di...

The third Saturday of June is upon us and everyone knows what that means – it's World Martini Day! To mark the occasion, The K Bar at The Kensington Hotel is launching an elegant Martini Station experience. The mobile station brings tableside cocktail theatre to guests, with expert bartenders crafti...

Pub in the Park is back for another year, but after five years at Chiswick House & Gardens, the London leg has moved to Gunnersbury Park. Running from 30 May to 1 June, the UK's touring food and music festival is curated by Michelin-starred chef and 'Great British Menu' judge Tom Kerridge, bring...

Chiave, the music-led cocktail bar tucked away on Shoreditch's Redchurch Street, is trading beats for blooms for one night only. On Thursday 12 June, the Shoreditch hangout is teaming up with luxury florist Hayley Scott and Don Julio 1942 for a one-off floral masterclass on its top floor. The two-ho...