The best bars in Mayfair

The Connaught Bar is a multi-award-winning bar that offers a multi-sensory drinking experience in the heart of Mayfair. It's a regular of the World's 50 Best Bars list, as judged by drinks industry experts, and serves an extensive menu of thoughtfully crafted cocktails made by some of the best mixologists in the game. Before you take a seat and pick a cocktail from their list of timeless classics, soak up the surroundings that evoke English and Irish Cubist art of the 1920s.

The Coburn is the little sister bar of The Connaught and although they might be related, they couldn’t be more different in terms of design, decor and vibe. The Connaught oozes elegance with a hint of Art Deco, while The Coburn is sophisticated and classic. The drinks menu at The Coborn is extensive, devised with each ingredient carefully selected to create a list of classics and more creative selections. Hungry? Enjoy a selection of posh bar snacks, like caviar from Aquitane and foie gras crème brûlée.

The May Fair Bar is a stylish drinking den serving a menu of cocktails and small plates to the background thrum of a live DJ. The vibe is calm and collected, with a striking bright blue bar glowing amidst the dim lighting. Cocktails are created based on whatever residency is taking place at May Fair Bar, with the most recent being VIVIR with spicy Mexican fare and music performed by the resident djembe player. Enjoy small plates when you need a pit stop between each cocktail, and munch on everything from grilled lobster tacos and oven-baked nachos to Peruvian beef skewers and buttermilk chicken lollipops.

Le Magritte has been described as a work of art on more than one occasion, not just thanks to its creative cocktail menu. This stunning surrealist-inspired, American-style bar features rattan armchairs surrounded by lush foliage, an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining, and walls hung with weird but wonderful paintings. The bar specialises primarily in American whiskies, classic cocktails and a range of bourbons, all shaken or stirred.

There's so much to look at and take in at this funky cocktail bar in Mayfair, inspired by the adventures of Phileas Fogg, the protagonist in the Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days. Walls are adorned with quirky paintings, flowers hang from every inch and birdcages dangle all around. Drinks are crafted using ingredients inspired by Phileas' travels, like the Crescent Moon Lake and Chebika Falls.

Hide restaurant is already enough of a hit on its own, but by the door is a staircase that'll lead you down to a hidden basement bar. The cocktails at The Bar Below are simple but beautifully executed with ingredients you'll almost definitely recognise, using modern and classic techniques and seasonal ingredients to craft the freshest drinks. They also serve a selection of spirits from all over the world.

If you like the finer things in life, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy a drink at the esteemed Claridges Bar. This art deco-style bar discreetly tucked away in Claridges in Mayfair, serves an exquisite menu of champagnes, cocktails and rare spirits, from timeless classics to recipes with a unique twist. They also stock a variety of rare whiskeys produced by American distilleries.

Sexy Fish on the corner of Berkeley Square in Mayfair may be known for its Japanese-inspired sushi and delectable Asian fare cooked on a Robata grill, but there's also a late-night bar with a live DJ where you can enjoy drinks well into the night. The space oozes glamour and is decorated with art by esteemed artists like Damien Hirst and Frank Gehry. On the ground floor, The Coral Reef Room is home to two of the largest live coral reef tanks in the world. But that's not the only record this bar can boast about; they also house the world's most extensive Japanese whisky collection.

This discreet, speakeasy-style hotel bar is located in the former luggage storage room and serves a menu of classic cocktails in a cosy setting inspired by the Roaring 20s. The space is kitted out with leather seats and a sleek marble bar and is refined and effortlessly cool. It offers a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Mayfair's busy streets outside.

This swanky Mayfair bar flanking the leafy Hyde Park is a glamorous spot to sit and enjoy a drink in a peaceful part of the city. The bar is an ode to the literary greats, like Agatha Christie and James Joyce, with their portraits hung and cocktails named after them. There are menus dedicated entirely to negronis, rum, gin, vodka, brandy, whisky and tequila from around the world.

This flashy Mayfair drinking spot is run by former president of The UK Bartender Guild, Salvatore Calabrese, and his side-kick, Federico Pavan, who has been crafting cocktails for the rich and famous for over ten years. The space is sophisticated, with a neutral palette, further complemented by plush velvet armchairs, gold furniture, and stained-glass windows.

Nestled just beyond the entrance to Richard Corrigan's namesake establishment in Mayfair, Dickie's Bar serves as the renowned Irish chef's personal retreat. Naturally, it features an impressive selection of rare Irish whiskeys and flawlessly poured pints of Guinness, but it also offers a diverse array of other cocktails and spirits. The bar exudes elegance, with its luxurious patterned booths and a polished wooden counter adding to its charm.

This cosy cocktail bar is housed in The Athenaeum Hotel’s former whiskey room, which is one of the reasons it stocks more than 100 different types of whiskey and whisky. It’s got vibes all around, with plush seating, floor-to-ceiling wines and a backlit cabinet showcasing the bar’s finest whiskies and rare bottles. The cocktails are the main draw here, with a range of signature and, you guessed it, whisky-based drinks.

The Dandy Bar is the centrepiece of The Mayfair Townhouse, a stylish hotel in a stunning Georgian townhouse. Their swanky cocktail menu features a list of drinks that aim to tell a story through flavour and combinations. The space is dimly-lit and relaxing, offering a welcome respite from the busy central London streets.

Smith & Whistle is a retro-style cocktail bar located in the Sheraton Grand hotel in Mayfair. It’s named after the famed comic stories of Detective Inspector Smith and his nemesis Mr William Whistle. There’s a wide variety of gins, whiskeys, rums and other spirits, alongside a cigar menu for a pre or post-drink smoke. The food menu features a range of international classics, from popcorn chicken and mezze to burgers, pizza, fish ‘n’ chips and more.

If you’re after glitz and glam, then The Fumoir Bar at Claridge’s is precisely what you’re looking for. The interior is inspired by the 1930s, with a nod to the Art Deco era, with portraits by William Klein, leather seats, crystal lighting and a dark, dingy palette. Behind the black marble horseshoe bar, the bartenders are crafting a range of timeless cocktails, from classics and light spirits to dark and non-alcoholic.

This luxurious bar is situated in the centre of The Dorchester's revamped ground floor and radiates opulence and glamour. This sophisticated venue caters to an upscale clientele, indulging them with champagne, cocktails, and exquisite seafood, featuring Liberace's extravagant piano, skilfully played by the resident pianist and a custom-made Lalique crystal bar.

Nestled within the grandiose St Mark's Church, German Kraft Brewery is an integral part of the Mercato Mayfair community market and food court. Here, they serve locally-brewed speciality beers both in an underground crypt and at a remarkable glass altar bar. This unique bar, constructed from over 1,000 glass bricks, has been crafted using more than 1,500 recycled glasses originally broken at the brewery's bar in Elephant & Castle.

Cocktail enthusiasts were disheartened when Kwãnt shuttered its doors in 2021, having already earned a reputation as one of the world's premier cocktail bars. Fortunately, the establishment made a triumphant return to Mayfair in 2023, once again offering guests top-notch cocktails in a laid-back atmosphere. The decor is also noteworthy, featuring lush green foliage, rattan furnishings, and tiki bar elements.

Located within the elegant Japanese restaurant Nijū, Nipperkin Bar offers a cosy setting to savour meticulously crafted cocktails paired with an assortment of Japanese sandos. This exclusive bar accommodates only 22 guests around a central communal table. Guests can anticipate dim lighting, a warm ambiance, and imaginative beverages featuring ingredients sourced from across the British Isles.