The best cocktail bars in Central London

Lyaness is a swish bar set on the Thames inside the iconic Sea Containers London, with plush velvet seating, a moody blue palette, and an original green marble bar. It was created by multi-award-winning cocktail icon Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan) and serves a menu of drinks grouped by ingredients rather than styles. On the weekends, DJS spin beats, and there's a solid wine and beer list to browse. Enjoy it all with snacks to line the stomach.

Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood Hotel is all about classic style but with a fun twist, thanks to cartoonist Gerald Scarfe's quirky artwork on the walls and menus. This bar is among the world's best, and is a cosy, book-filled space known for its excellent cocktails with playful names like 'Monkey Business' and 'My Tie'. The vibe is sophisticated but relaxed, with live music most nights and friendly staff to guide you through the menu.

Opium houses three bars in one, making a visit to Opium an adventure in itself. Whether you settle into the cosy lounge, the tea parlour bar, or the intimate space, you'll enjoy the same Asian-inspired cocktails made with unique ingredients like yuzu, miso, and chocolate. There's a menu of signature drinks, such as the Umami Martini and Shanghai Punch, that offer a twist on the modern classics. And to top it off, there's a dim sum menu that pairs perfectly with your drinks.

This iconic bar at The Savoy is a London icon, clocking up over 125 years of history and countless A-list visitors, from Marilyn Monroe to Winston Churchill. It's famous for its ties to Harry Craddock, the bartender who created timeless classics like the White Lady – a classic cocktail that is made with gin, Cointreau or triple sec, fresh lemon juice and an optional egg white. The bar continues to serve cocktails in a stunning Art Deco setting and remains one of the world's best cocktail spots. There's even live jazz on select nights.

Fig & Walnut is a cosy, family-owned spot in Bloomsbury, where Turkish flavours meet creative mixology. The elegantly designed restaurant includes two dining areas linked by a cocktail bar where the magic happens. The experienced bartender shakes up house specials such as a zingy pomegranate margarita, a crisp Persian fizz, and a rich fig and walnut twist on the old fashioned. The focus here is on pairing genuine Mediterranean cuisine with well-crafted, imaginative drinks.

The Dalston original three Sheets earned praise from people all around the world, and now brothers Max and Noel Venning have brought Three Sheets to Soho. The drinks are simple but have earned the bar a spot on the World's Best Cocktail Bar list for multiple years running. The menu changes regularly with the seasons, and there's also a wine list with a soft spot for champagne. By day, expect pastries and coffee; by night, British-style bar snacks like salt-beef sandwiches and triple-cooked chips are the highlight.

It may be best known as a classic London restaurant, but Rules also houses a gem upstairs, an elegant cocktail bar, Upstairs at Rules. Here they serve all the classics alongside their own range of drinks categorised under 'modern twists' – simple recipes created using rare liqueurs, vintage ingredients and a no-nonsense approach that prioritises top-quality drinks over gimmicks. The vibe is sleek, sexy and sophisticated, making for the perfect date night spot.

Tucked inside the grand Mayfair hotel, this isn't just one of London's best cocktail spots – it was actually crowned as the World's Best Bar in 2021. Inside, it's all glossy greys and Deco glamour, courtesy of David Collins Studio. Drinks are theatrical – the martinis are mixed tableside from a custom trolley – with a menu inspired by moods, memories and abstract ideas.

Donovan Bar is a longtime favourite for Mayfair's cocktail crowd, located at the back of the legendary Browns Hotel. Industry legends Salvatore Calabrese and Federico Pavan take the reins behind the bar, mixing favourites like Salvatore's Martini: ice-cold Belvedere vodka or Tanqueray No. 10 with Martini Extra Dry, served with a twist or olive. 

Bar Termini is a tiny slice of Rome in the heart of Soho. By day, expect espresso and caffeine; by night, it shifts into a snug, low-lit cocktail bar serving up Italian classics like Bellinis and Negronis. With just 25 seats, it's an intimate spot, so booking ahead is a smart move. Expect a short but refined menu of drinks, a solid selection of bubbles, and a few antipasti to keep things authentic.

Nightjar brings a dash of Prohibition-era glamour to the heart of Soho, with a cocktail menu that takes guests through the ages – some recipes even dating back to the 1600s. There's also nightly live jazz, swing, blues or funk and a moody setting that perfectly sets the scene for enjoying age-old cocktails.

Swift in Soho doubles the fun with two vibes under one roof. Upstairs is all sleek and stylish with an award-winning cocktail bar mixing classics, plus a menu of 300+ whiskies, if that's your thing. Head downstairs and the tempo changes – it's moodier, more intimate, with a curated drinks menu and live jazz to enjoy as you sip on them.

The Experimental Cocktail Club's unassuming entrance is very easy to miss, but once you find it, you're in for a treat. It's hidden in Chinatown and serves a menu of drinks made with rare ingredients and vintage spirits from France and beyond.  The bar oozes Parisian bohemian vibes alongside a nod to London's storied history. The decor is by Dorothée Meilichzon and evokes a 1920s vibe spread over the two floors.

The bar at the luxurious Langham Hotel always turns heads, with its constantly changing cocktail menus that lean towards quirky concepts like dualities and futuristic ingredients. In fact, it won Drinks Menu of the Year in 2020. Each drink tells its own story, meaning you can create your own narrative every time you visit.

Stepping into Disrepute feels like stepping into the '60s, but the glamorous side, with its plush leather booths and scandalous backstory – it was once a haunt in the infamous Profumo affair. These days, it's one of London's best cocktail bars, known for its "narrative cocktails" that guide you with story-like descriptions, and cheeky notepaper for slipping secret messages across the bar.

Despite being hailed as one of the world's best bars, Kwãnt sadly shut its doors in 2021. But, thankfully for us, it reopened in 2023 in Mayfair, serving the signature cocktails that made the bar such a hit. Expect a laid-back, luxe setting, with leafy interiors, rattan chairs and a hint of tiki flair.

This swish Soho cocktail bar is a modern take on the underground speakeasy and serves a drinks menu influenced by the Indian subcontinent and beyond. The guys who run Kricket are responsible for this one; they've created a space where you can enjoy exquisite drinks in one of London's best bars. Drinks are worth a shout-out here, and options like the chaat cocktail – a smoky mezcal and tequila mix laced with kumquat and chaat masala – are a highlight.

Dukes Bar in St James's is the place to go if martinis are your thing, since this spot famously inspired Ian Fleming's creation of Bond's Vesper Martini. Aside from pouring a top-notch martini, the rest of the menu has helped contribute to its reputation as one of the best bars in the world. The vibe is old-school – think velvet armchairs, classic artwork, and quiet corners perfect for sipping in peace.

Side Hustle is a sleek bar and restaurant tucked inside the NoMad hotel in Covent Garden, serving up Latin American-inspired small plates and agave-heavy cocktails. The cocktail menu is led by Bar Director Liana Oster, who leans towards Latin America while nodding to British, European, and American classics. As for food, the dishes change depending on what's in season or sparking inspiration.