Guide to the best bars in the City of London

One of the capital’s most acclaimed rooftop bars, this spacious terrace atop the Penthouse One New Change is known for its splendid views of St. Paul’s Cathedral and London’s postcard-worthy skyline. You can get a variety of beverages in the bar and cocktail lounge, from champagne by the glass or bottle to seasonal cocktails. Madison also has a dining area that serves American classics with a creative twist.

Wine lovers seeking a sleek riverside spot with fabulous views will find Hithe + Seek extremely to their liking. The in-demand destination offers a wine experience that everyone can enjoy, from absolute beginners to knowledgeable connoisseurs. The experienced team here are always ready to talk shop with you and guide you through the comprehensive wine list of global vintages. Tantalising food such as steak sandwiches, sweetbreads and grilled octopus is available as well.

Situated on the 11th floor in the Minories, this vibrant, colourful oasis boasts an eye-catching interior, matched only by the stunning views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, or from the al fresco terrace. The refined Florattica draws inspiration from East London's textile industry heritage, with its ceiling covered by a lavish floral installation. The cocktails are based on homemade recipes and guide you on a sensory journey through the world of flowers.

Library Bar is an opulent members-only drinking den hidden behind a curtain at The Ned. The plush, intimate venue specialises in champagne and martinis, spoiling fans of fizz with 30 champagnes and wheeling over the martini trolley to Bond you up. Signature cocktails, spirits and fine wines are served as well, and you can snack on sophisticated bites such as mushroom arancini or tuna tartare.

Another rooftop bar that basks in the curvaceousness of St. Paul’s Cathedral dome, Sabine is a secret garden space hidden above the City’s bustling streets. It features a glass-domed roof of its own to ensure natural light come rain or shine. Choose from a range of refreshing seasonal cocktails, nibble on one of the refined bar snacks, and enjoy the high life.

A sleek, futuristic space for showcasing rarities from vineyards from all over the world, the London outpost of the international Oeno Group offers a terrace where you can sip your wine al fresco. The iconic wines on display are available to purchase and take home as well and include faraway places of origin such as China and Australia.

This specialist whisky bar has claimed top honours in the UK for several years in a row. The centrepiece is a massive 185-year-old tree split in half, filled with home-blend whiskies and fitted with taps. Black Rock aims to dispel the mysteries surrounding whisky, offering an extensive choice of drams and cocktails. You can even blend your own unique bottle if you book the blending experience.

The City outpost of Yauatcha is an all-day Cantonese teahouse that knows how to put together an eye-catching presentation. The bar mixes a range of seasonal cocktails, as well as offering wine by the glass or carafe, sake and other drinks. There are two heated terraces to relax on, and you’d be hard-pressed to find better bar snacks than the dim sum crafted in the kitchen.

The smart, stylish and distinctly named Amicable Society of Lazy Ballerinas serves an extensive array of fine wine and champagne, complemented by refined snacks and sharing platters that are designed to pair perfectly with the drinks. Champagne fans will be particularly delighted by the varied choice of classic and pink vintages. The luxurious marble setting at this bar is furnished with slick contemporary seating, making for a sophisticated yet not stuffy drinking spot.

The Alchemist is well-versed in the high mixology magicks, brewing up unique molecular concoctions and serving them in stunningly theatrical arrangements. The drinks are a marvel to imbibe as much as they are to look at, combining unexpected ingredients and flavours in delightful ways. Enhancing the mystique with the signature black-and-gold setting, the Alchemist in the City also features an outdoor terrace and serves an all-day menu of international crowd-pleasers.

The award-winning Merchant House is the sort of bar that’ll soothe, inspire and satisfy every kind of drinker. With 600 different whiskies, 400 rums and as many gins on offer, this bar certainly isn’t lacking in the spirit department. You can also enjoy an impressive array of creative cocktails in the warm atmosphere, with the upscale interior lined with shelves packed full of bottles. For an intimate experience, book the brig, a private bar for two with its own bartender. 

The first gin distillery to take up residence in the City in 200 years, the City of London Distillery & Bar is home to the premium Whitley Neill gin. The award-winning bar venue shares its space with the distillery itself, with copper pipes and vats all around providing an unimpeded glimpse into the production process. You can take a tour of the facilities, sample different gins, drink various gin-based cocktails and even distil your own personalised gin.

The restaurant and bar at the top of the Vintry & Mercer hotel boasts sweeping views of the city skyline, from St. Paul’s Cathedral to the Shard. There are various lunch and dinner menus to choose from if you’re feeling peckish, with groups happily catered to as well. You’re fine just ordering a drink, however, with an extensive wine list, assortment of classic cocktails and sizeable selection of international spirits all available. If the weather isn’t cooperating, retreat into the convivial interior or book the transparent igloo.

Mercer Rooftop Terrace’s secret sibling, Do Not Disturb, can be found beneath the Vintry & Mercer hotel. The discreet venue is a plush drinking den decorated with images of Ziegfeld girls. Once you find your way inside, you can relax with one of the classic barrel-aged cocktails such as the Negroni or the Manhattan, the house concoctions and even CBD-infused cocktails. During happy hour, certain cocktails are available as 2-for-1.

The seated-only Demon, Wise & Partners can be found in the basement below The Arbitrager. The cosy cocktail den serves different cocktails and spirits, including absinthe, but its main draw is the titular Demon and Wise – a couple of cocktails made using exceptional spirits and reflecting our inner wickedness or maturity, depending on which one you go for. Fascinatingly, after they’ve been served 100 times, the recipe for each is changed.

Complementing acclaimed chef Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred City Social eatery on the 24th floor of Tower 42, Social 24 provides stunning views of the capital and the neighbouring landmarks such as the Gherkin. The sleek contemporary venue expounds on the sophisticated setting with creative cocktails and other drinks, as well as bar snacks and classic British pub fare.

With a giant golden pineapple dominating the interior and a number of events and parties throughout the year, Jin Bo Law is more than just a trendy rooftop bar with supreme views of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks – though it certainly fulfils that role admirably as well. With the capital’s skyline for backdrop, you can enjoy creative cocktails, Japanese spirits and other drinks, high above the City.

The Nickel Bar is a sophisticated American-style bar, serving classic breakfast dishes and a simple menu featuring British meals. The cocktails and spirits set this place apart, with unique seasonal cocktails and the option to request timeless classics. The bar specialises in US whiskey but also stocks grain spirits from around the world.

Visit Sushisamba's outdoor terrace on the 38th floor, open year-round. A striking orange tree takes centre stage, surrounded by a circular bar, which closes on chillier days, requiring orders from indoor bars. The suntrap's beauty compensates for the limited view from the Heron Tower. Enjoy cocktails that combine Asian and Brazilian flavours.

The Bootlegger takes you back to the heart of the Prohibition era, tucked away beneath the financial heart of the capital. To find it, you'll need to search carefully around the Lime Street Nando's for the hidden stairwell that leads down into a dimly lit basement. Inside, you'll find wooden floors, rustic furniture, an exposed brick wall, and framed newspaper clippings adding to the vibe. Cocktails are bold and often accompanied by live music,

This small, stylish bar in the heart of London's financial district is all about craft beer. It's the epitome of a trendy watering hole, featuring sleek tiles, upcycled gramophone lamps, and a large map of Victorian London. The bar serves only London-brewed beers, making it the perfect place for a post-work drink in the city.