Guide to the best bars in Shoreditch

Tayēr + Elementary earned the number two spot on the list of the best bars in the world in 2022, and it continues to impress with its eclectic drinks menu. From the outside, it looks like just another Brutalist bar, but inside you're met with a drinking and dining experience like no other. It's run by two of the world's most respected bartenders, Alex Kratena and Monica Berg, and focuses on simple cocktails in an all-day bar setting. The food is also out to impress with a menu focused on seasonality.

Swift Shoreditch is the sister branch to Swift Soho, the Art Deco bar that nabbed itself a spot on the World's Best 50 list shortly after opening. The interior oozes 1930's elegance with Italian accents; think marble, wood and bronze finishes. The drinks are the star of the show, based on a comprehensive collection of around 100 bottles of agave-based spirits.

Chiave, meaning 'key' in Italian, is a modern, stylish bar on the happening Redchurch Street serving bespoke drinks made by expert mixologists. The cocktail menu kicks off with the Capybara, featuring Tanqueray No. 10, palo santo, rose sakura, and jasmine verte, as well as the Limbo made with Don Julio, Ojo de Dios, Ancho Reyes, sumac – it's a bit like a spicy marg. Downstairs, you'll find a fully-equipped DJ room where events take place, led by carefully curated music. Although there isn't an extensive food menu, there's a short snack menu to  pair with your cocktails and wine, like a selection of cheese and meats, crackers, tinned fish and blinis with caviar.

Listen to late-night jazz and blues in a speakeasy, old-school setting whilst sipping on cocktails from throughout the ages that claim they are 'not for the faint-hearted'. The bar is a two-minute walk from Old Street Station and is sandwiched between two cafés. The cocktails are beautifully presented in delicate glassware, and the recipes range from pre-prohibition to post-war periods but with a classic Nightjar twist.

Happiness is certainly not forgotten when you set foot inside Happiness Forgets, a hip speakeasy bar in a dimly-lit basement serving cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologists. It’s regularly dubbed one of the best bars in the world by industry professionals, and it’s not hard to see why. This secret underground spot on Hoxton Square serves a menu of classic cocktails with a no-fuss approach - like the Old Fashioned, which is a hit every time, and the Bamboo Sherry made with vermouth and vanilla syrup.

Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes’ name is an ode to the 1980s bag and shoe wholesalers that once occupied the building; even the original signage remains intact. It combines art and lifestyle with creativity and has a reputation for great coffee by day and excellent draft beer by night. You can enjoy a cocktail upstairs in the bar area, surrounded by local works of art that you can purchase off the walls. Downstairs you’ll find a dimly-lit raw brick basement that hosts various events, such as live music performances, lectures, workshops and more.

For organic and Fairtrade food and drinks, pop along to By the Bridge Café, a canalside cafe on Kingsland Road. This cosy spot works with local dairy, fruit and vegetable suppliers and bakeries to serve the freshest, highest-quality fare. Their grub is best washed down with a tipple from their cocktail menu; they've got all the classics like mojitos and Pornstar Martinis, to name a few.

This 1970s-style bar on the corner of Hoxton Square is inspired by Quentin Tarantino's blockbuster movies and is decked out in neon lights and bright pops of colour. Hedonistic vibes come by the bucketload here, and the menu is chock full of creative cocktails, like the Hot AF spicy margarita and the Neverland made with midori melon liqueur.

Boxpark Shoreditch has been an East London mainstay for over a decade. It claims to be the first pop-up shopping mall in the world, comprising shipping containers with regularly changing traders. Head upstairs for modern street food and drinks and various entertainment and sports screenings.

This unassuming Japanese joint is located down Phipp Street, a stone's throw away from Old Street station. They serve the finest sushi and sashimi prepared by head chef Jerry, who has a prestigious background working for Harrods Sushi Bar, Sushisamba, Roka and Umu, to name a few. When you're done dining downstairs, make your way to the sake and whisky bar upstairs, where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese tipple well into the evening.

There’s a reason Black Rock has held the title of the best specialist bar in the UK for four years in a row; it knows a thing or two about whisky. Enjoy countless whiskies by the dram or indulge in cocktails made with the spirit, or if that doesn’t quite cut the mustard, book onto the blending experience where you can blend your own bottle of whisky to take back home with you.

This laid-back bar is in a cosy basement in Shoreditch and is the perfect spot for late-night cocktails. It was opened by cocktail bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, who opened his first venue White Lyan in 2013, a bar that served cocktails using no perishables, like fruit or ice, in an attempt to be as sustainable as possible. The same approach is taken at Seed Library, where the menu comprises stripped-back classic cocktails. You’ll also find a DJ spinning the freshest tracks on Wednesday through Sunday until late.

Knock back a pint on the ground floor pub at The Culpeper, a refurbished pub that houses five hotel rooms, a restaurant and a bar. It’s located on buzzing Commercial Street and comprises four floors of fun. Dine in the second-floor restaurant where you can enjoy brasserie-style dishes in a relaxed setting before heading up to the greenhouse-style rooftop bar for drinks with accompanying views of the city skyline.

This edgy bar is named after the Jabberwocky’s cries and promises a wacky drinking experience in the heart of Shoreditch. Expect random furniture that doesn’t match and mirrored walls leading to new, secret rooms. The drinks aren’t as wacky as the decor, and although they’re still creative, they stay relatively simple but excel in deliciousness. There’s also a short bar food menu with British staples like Dorset crab on toast and the best Scotch egg you’ll ever try.

The Spitalfields branch of Kill the Cat takes the Brick Lane original's successful formula of beer shop and bar with an inquisitive taste in craft brews, and adds a kitchen. Run by chefs who used to work at The Savoy Grill, the restaurant specialises in bold yet trendy small plates such as sticky pork belly skewers or crab green curry doughnuts. A range of craft beers on tap is available to go with the food, and you can also buy bottles to take home.

At Pamela, you can expect simplicity in decor elevated by an excellent menu of innovative cocktails, like the Elderado, made with apricot-infused gin and white wine. But, it's not all about the drinks here; Pamela frequently hosts pop-ups featuring a variety of cuisines. Previous pop-ups have included Colombian, Asian-inspired vegan fare and Chinese dumplings.

Christina's, a verdant cocktail bar at the Mondrian Shoreditch Hotel, pays homage to the Italian aperitivo tradition. Its sophisticated ambience is enhanced by lush greenery and a floral theme, which are artfully echoed in its drinks menu. The bar's mixology offerings are crafted with seasonal ingredients and botanicals, creating a unique and refreshing experience.

For delicious Caribbean cuisine at great value, Troy Bar, a hidden gem near Old Street, is a must-visit. Not only does it offer tantalising dishes, but it also features a vibrant array of entertainment, including open mic nights and live performances spanning jazz, blues, and reggae. And if you're just after a couple of drinks in a lively setting, that's alright too.

Colours Hoxton is a dynamic and inclusive bar and club known for its vibrant events and welcoming environment, highlighted by a striking LED ceiling from a Burning Man festival lighting sculptor. Besides its high quality sound system for club nights with a focus on inclusivity and LGBTQ-friendly acts, Colours Hoxton offers a range of cocktails, a karaoke room, and a lively bottomless brunch with disco music and drag performers.