Guide to the best bars in Kensington

Guide to the best bars in Kensington

Kensington is known as a bit of a fancy area – it's even home to a royal residence, Kensington Palace. There's loads going on and that includes lots of cool places to enjoy a drink in stylish surroundings, with plenty of upmarket destinations. There's tons of choice, ranging from fun cocktail bars and mysterious speakeasies to high-class hotel bars for when you deserve a treat. Don't miss out on the exciting bars in this part of West London – check out our guide to the best bars in Kensington.

Tamsin Spargo, Thatsup
Tamsin Spargo
  1. The best bars in Kensington
    1. 1
      Piano A bar for music lovers
    2. 2
      Evans & Peel Detective Agency Secret speakeasy
    3. 3
      Troubadour Musical hotspot since 1954
    4. 4
      The Kensington Wine Rooms Bustling local wine bar
    5. 5
      Balans All-day brasserie and bar
    6. 6
      High Spirit Cocktail Bar Youthful and glamorous
    7. 7
      Ricco Lounge Luxury bar with music
    8. 8
      Percy's Sleek late-night bar and club
    9. 9
      Cave Kitchen Sophisticated wine lists
    10. 10
      Hux Bar Vibrant place for cocktails
    11. 11
      Amaro Bar Rising star among cocktail bars
    12. 12
      Stables Bar Equestrian-themed cocktail bar

The best bars in Kensington

Piano

A bar for music lovers

If you love a night out with music, check out Piano. This intimate bar has comfortable spaces to enjoy a cocktail and listen to some of London's top live music acts. There's piano music every day, and lots of choice at the bar. Think signature cocktails, beer, wine, and luxury snacks.

Evans & Peel Detective Agency

Secret speakeasy

Get a speakeasy-themed experience at Evans & Peel Detective Agency. Concealing itself as a private detective agency, you’ll have to convince the front desk you have an appointment. Then you’re let into an undercover cocktail world with drinks including an Old Fashioned that's rated the world’s best. There’s live music too.

Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour
Troubadour – Bars in Kensington
Troubadour

Troubadour

Musical hotspot since 1954

Opened in 1954, Troubadour's is London's last remaining live music venue from the era. It's a bar and restaurant with live acts playing every day. There are ticketed events but you can also book a table for free weekly jazz nights. This unique setting has a huge choice of drinks and food.

The Kensington Wine Rooms

Bustling local wine bar

Local wine drinkers will appreciate The Kensington Wine Rooms. Opened in 2009, this friendly bar has more than 150 vintages to choose from, plus around 40 to sample by the glass. The bar area serves tapas whilst the restaurant offers British and European comfort food, with a wine to match every dish.

Balans

All-day brasserie and bar

Brasserie Balans Kensington is a cross between a café, restaurant and bar. The venue serves international dishes all day but you can visit just for a drink. Enjoy wine by the glass or bottle or classic and original cocktails and spritzes. This is a stylish destination with a cheeky character.

High Spirit Cocktail Bar

Youthful and glamorous

Designed to appeal to guests in their 20s and 30s, High Spirit Cocktail Bar has an upbeat and lively feel. Expect music, cocktails, and a buzzing atmosphere at this party spot. This stylish bar specialises in cocktails but there are non-alcoholic options and party shots too. It also features a food court.

Ricco Lounge

Luxury bar with music

Visit Ricco Lounge, an intimate art deco-inspired bar for drinks and live music. You can book the VIP area for the ultimate experience. This exclusive venue serves a full range of drinks and does bottle service. There's live music and DJs accompanied by live performers keeping the party going until late.

Percy's

Sleek late-night bar and club

Try Percy's for a stylish night out. This slick bar and club is fun and freeing, with DJs and events on regularly. You can also hire the venue for your own event. The drinks list is eclectic with cocktails, craft beer, and bottle service available downstairs in the club.

Cave Kitchen

Sophisticated wine lists

Cave Kitchen houses one of the oldest wine bars in London. There's also a restaurant in this cosy cave environment, specialising in Sri Lankan cuisine. The considerable wine list is chosen to complement the food here but you can come just for drinks. Luxurious fine wines are also served.

Hux Bar

Vibrant place for cocktails

Part of Hux Hotel, Hux Bar is creative and cool, full of vibrant personality. The imaginative drinks on offer are the perfect match for this character-filled setting. Expect moody lighting, rich colours, and lush plants. As well as cocktails, the bar serves wine and champagne. Sushi is available for an elegant snack.

Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar
Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar
Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar
Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar
Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar
Amaro Bar – Bars in Kensington
Amaro Bar

Amaro Bar

Rising star among cocktail bars

Opened in 2021, Amaro Bar has quickly made a name for itself on the cocktail scene. This upscale venue is slick but still relaxed. The dynamic bar staff make you feel at home whilst they craft imaginative cocktails and classics prepared with vintage spirits. European wines and light snacks are offered too.

Stables Bar

Equestrian-themed cocktail bar

Stables Bar has a distinctive horce-racing theme and timeless decor with wood panelling and leather banquettes. Cocktails are the speciality, like the signature Milestone Smoking Old Fashioned that comes with a theatrical twist. Food is also served here, from light bites to more substantial meals like chicken pie or burgers.

Bars in Kensington – About the guide

The best bars in Kensington - Our guide to the best bars in Kensington is updated regularly. If you know of a great bar in Kensington that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to the best Kensington bars. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.