Guide to the best bars in Soho

For classic Italian coffee by day and tantalising cocktails by night, head along to Bar Termini on Old Compton Street. Enjoy classic cocktails like the house negroni, or opt for beer, wine, prosecco or champagne alongside a selection of antipasti, like Italian cheeses, charcuterie, Sicilian caponata, and more. Don't forget to snap a picture of their classic black and white chequered floor before you leave.

This American-style cocktail bar in the heart of Soho is home to a dimly-lit basement bar kitted out with dark wooden furnishings and leather seating. The cocktails served are a nod to those served before the Prohibition Era in the U.S., like the classic Cosmopolitan, White Lady and Corpse Reviver, all made with their original recipes. The bar has also partnered with the Moulin Rouge musical so that you can enjoy a range of drinks dedicated to the show’s characters.

"Press for Champagne" buttons aren't something you see everywhere, as much as we wish they were. This funky bar in Soho lets you press a button for instant-flowing champagne. What a dream. The swanky booths are designed by designer David Collins and are perhaps his most striking creation. As for the food, you can expect British classics, like beef Wellington, and even Russian dishes like vareniki dumplings. Not a fan of champagne? They also have a menu of fine wines and harder liquors, which you, unfortunately, cannot get at the push of a button (which, when you think about it, is probably a good thing).

Although Disrepute is a members-only spot, the bar permits non-members until capacity. It's a nod to the glamorous 1960s when the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe used to drink there. The cocktails are served creatively, featuring short descriptions of fictional characters that leave a little open to the imagination. Pick something that you're most drawn to and you'll likely end up with a drink to suit your taste and temperament.

This swanky London speakeasy is the ideal date spot or place to catch up with friends. The cocktails are playful takes on the classics, inspired by drinks from the pre-prohibition, prohibition, post-war and modern-day periods. Expect drinks topped with candy floss, milk chocolate sculptures, and all of the classics. There’s also a menu of bar snacks and small plates served late into the night.

Upstairs in Swift, you’ll find an aperitif-focused evening bar which is the perfect spot for a first date drink from their award-winning cocktail menu. Head downstairs, and you’ll come across a speakeasy-style basement ideal for late-night drinking from the special drinks menu. It’s basically two bars in one that caters for two kinds of night.

The French house in Soho is one of those classic London pubs that you can’t walk past without popping in for a pint or two. Pair that with the exquisite food served in the dimly-lit dining room up a set of squeaky stairs, and you have yourself a recipe for an all-round excellent wine and dine date. Although the food changes, past menus have seen dishes like confit duck leg with warm salad and violet artichoke with parmesan salad take centre stage.

If you can find the front door to The Experimental Cocktail Club (look for a tiny faded black, rusty door), you’re in for a treat. This Chinatown cocktail bar has a carefully crafted menu of cocktails made using hard-to-find spirits from France and beyond. The decor is shabby chic, with a dark and moody interior, making it an ideal spot for a date.

Circa Soho is Soho’s leading gay bar, having been around for more than a decade. It’s an all-round sensory experience, from tantalising cocktails to disco lights, and promises a night to remember. Swing by for a relaxed mid-week drink or catch a live DJ on the weekend, where you can dance well into the early hours of the morning.

Wine-lovers rejoice for Bar Crispin on Kingly Street. This all-day natural wine bar and restaurant in buzzy Soho is the place to be for exquisite European wines and a food menu of British seasonal dishes. Sip on low-intervention wines and chow down on delectable sharing plates where sustainability is at the core of Bar Crispin’s ethos.

Comptons, built on the site of the 200-year-old Swiss Hotel, is one of those bars that’s been around forever; in fact, it’s been at the epicentre of the gay scene since 1986. These days, it’s one of London’s most celebrated LGBTQIA+ venues with events taking place weeklong, like DJ nights, happy hours and more.

The Ship in Soho is built around excellent beers and rock ’n’ roll. Music has been a focal point for the pub for decades, which is not surprising given its longstanding musical history. Next door used to be the legendary Marquee Club, which saw bands such as The Clash, The Cure, Joy Divison and more take to the stage, and those who played there would often head to The Ship for pre and post-show drinks.

This relaxed and stylish bar and lounge ticks all boxes for an epic night out in Soho. It’s above the former site of the aforementioned Marquee Club, where the likes of David Bowie, Joy Division and The Cure once played. You can dine on modern European fare in the basement alongside a range of cocktails before dancing well into the night to a live DJ.

The Little Scarlet Door came about when five friends got together and decided to recreate the buzz of a house party inside a bar. This unique bar is inspired by New York’s loft apartments; think exposed brickwork and industrial fittings. You can slink into the night, sipping a range of drinks, before dancing like you would at a friend’s house party. The best bit? There’s no cleaning to do the next day.

When two people discovered a disused underground station in the heart of Soho, the first thing they thought was 'aha, let’s build a bar here', so they did just that. The station was formerly used as an air raid shelter throughout the war, and when it was discovered, it was filled with old toys, mismatched crockery, furniture and other trinkets, which are still present in the bar today. The rations and cocktails served here are a nod to the post-war spirit, as are the late-night parties they throw well into the night.

La Bodega Negra is one of London’s authentic Mexican spots, right in the hustle and bustle of Soho behind what, in true Soho style, appears to be a sex shop. The menu has all of the street food favourites, like truffle and black mole quesadillas and sea bass ceviche. For drinks, you’ve got a range of cocktails, Mexican spirits, and various soft drinks.

Located beneath the pasta spot Lina Stores on Brewer Street, Bar Lina is inspired by the lively spirit of Soho and Italy's bar culture. Illuminated by flickering candles, it transports guests to the nostalgia of 1960s Italy. Here, amidst the cosy vibes, guests can enjoy inventive renditions of beloved Italian cocktails like negronis and spritzes paired with a selection of fine Italian wines. There is also a range of snacks to line the stomach.

Soma is a contemporary take on the classic subterranean cocktail bar, drawing inspiration from the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Born from the creators of the acclaimed Kricket restaurant, it stands as the go-to destination for late-night tipples. You'll find a selection of creative cocktails, such as the chaat cocktail—a concoction of smoky mezcal Verde and Tapatio Blanco tequila infused with the zest of kumquat and the exotic spices of chaat masala.

Located in Soho, The Thin White Duke, named after the legendary David Bowie, is a dim sum restaurant, coffee shop, and recording studio run by mixologist extraordinaire Dav Eames. The cocktail menu features standout options, such as the Gin & Milk, featuring Pink Pepper gin, almond milk, and white tea syrup. Alongside its drinks, The Thin White Duke has recording studio suites kitted out for producers, musicians, podcasters, and artists. 

The Mulwray is a swish bar atop a regal Georgian building dating back to 1739. It's owned by the talented chef Selby brothers, who serve a range of wines emphasising sustainability and biodynamic principles. The wine list is extensive and diverse, from all your classics to more adventurous and daring selections.

Located beneath the esteemed whisky purveyors Milroy's of Soho, The Vault is Soho's best-kept secret, reachable through a bookcase. Originally a cellar used for storing sherry, it is rumoured to have been a meeting spot for various well-known figures. Today, it's an acclaimed candlelit speakeasy, garnering awards for its vibe and top-notch drinks. The menu boasts original short and long drinks, with options rotating seasonally.

Garlic & Shots, a gothic-themed bar and restaurant, lives up to its name with a selection of 101 different shots and a kitchen abundant in garlic. Guests are encouraged to embrace the flavour by requesting extra garlic in their dishes, although god forbid you request less. The menu offers a variety of options, such as tacos, pasta, and steak, with a friendly reminder to freshen up post-meal. Their cocktail and shot lists are fruity, spicy, and naturally, garlicky.