The best cocktail bars in Soho

Violet's is located in Soho, serving a menu of classic cocktails inside a space that oozes nostalgic vibes, shaped by the story of its namesake. The bar offers signature drinks inspired by Violet, alongside a well-curated wine selection and a selection of familiar spirits. Georgian dishes like khachapuri, khinkali and rich stews add something a bit different for anyone who wants food with their drinks. Soft lighting, vintage touches and steady background music give the room a vibey feel that suits evening cocktails in this part of London.

Jack Solomons Club, a drinking den in a former boxing gym, offers a glamorous old-school Soho vibe, perfect for intimate meet-ups or lively gatherings. Known for its cocktails, whisky, and gin specialities, the bar features house creations, classic options, and bottle service for groups. With regular DJ sets, private hire options, and an inviting atmosphere, it's a stylish destination for any occasion.

Boasting bold, contemporary interiors and a similarly bold approach to mixology, The Perception is a trendy cocktail bar atop the W London hotel in Soho. Its sleek design, featuring large windows that look over the lively streets below, creates a stylish and vibrant atmosphere from early morning to late night.

Just a short stroll from Soho, Sael in St James's is a sleek yet chilled British restaurant where the central bar takes centre stage. Set among marble and brass, it's the kind of place where you can grab a perfectly poured pint (yes, a Guinness for a fiver) or a well-made cocktail before heading into town. The menu leans on seasonal British cooking (don't miss the wood-fired steaks) and the wine list spans 100 grape varieties from around the world. Upstairs, The Blind Pig serves elegant cocktails at surprisingly reasonable prices for this postcode.

Boasting a setting inspired by legendary NYC bastion of debauchery Studio 54, 64 Old Compton Street is first and foremost an Italian restaurant, run by the same family as Soho mainstay 40 Dean Street. However, over at this address, they pour a mean cocktail as well. Drinks range from timeless Italian classics to signature house concoctions, all expertly made. Mocktails are available as well.

Bar Américain, tucked away beneath Soho's famous Brasserie Zédel, is a quintessential American-style cocktail bar offering a refined setting of dark wood, leather, and vintage charm. Serving Prohibition-era classics like the Corpse Reviver and Vesper Martini alongside a creative, regularly updated themed menu, it caters to both traditional and modern tastes. The convenient location, stylish ambiance, and surprisingly accessible prices make it one of the best cocktail bars in Soho.

Opium, a cocktail and dim sum parlour in Chinatown, offers a unique, immersive experience spread across three distinct bars within a 1920s Shanghai-inspired setting. Behind a jade green door on Gerrard Street, guests can explore exotic cocktails with bold flavours like yuzu and miso, alongside a delectable dim sum menu. Whether you relax in the Academy Bar, sip tea-infused drinks in the Apothecary Bar, or enjoy an intimate gathering in the Peony Bar, Opium provides an unforgettable mix of creativity, ambience, and flavour.

Housed within the former Kingly Court Underground Station – used as an air raid shelter during WWII – the venue is steeped in history. When the space was “rediscovered” in contemporary times, remnants of the past, including tinned goods, vintage toys, and mismatched crockery, were preserved to retain its nostalgic charm. The bar was transformed into a post-war haven, complete with ration-themed bites, creative cocktails, and lively soirées that transport visitors back in time.

Zum Barbarossa, a chic speakeasy nestled in the basement of a Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse, is run by the same Dutch family behind the seafood restaurant upstairs. This intimate hideaway offers a cosy atmosphere perfect for savouring inventive cocktails alongside sophisticated small plates like caviar and dressed oysters.

The Experimental Cocktail Club is the kind of place you'll likely walk past a couple of times before spotting its discreet entrance in Chinatown. Once inside, however, any frustration due to looking for it will dissipate in light of the masterful mixology on display. Rare and intriguing ingredients are showcased in the potions served at this intimate cocktail bar, and its understated presence only adds to the mystique.

Disrepute, once a private 1960s basement club tied to the infamous Profumo affair, now thrives as one of London's most celebrated cocktail bars. Its luxurious decor, complete with leather booths, evokes the glamour of its storied past. It's known for its inventive narrative cocktails, where guests select drinks based on intriguing descriptions, while discreet note-passing adds an element of playful mystery to the experience.

Basement Sate, a late-night underground bar, specialises in pairing indulgent desserts with expertly crafted cocktails. In its drawing room-inspired setting, guests can enjoy signature and classic mixes, along with a selection of wine, beer, and whisky. The cocktail bar also hosts live music as well as group cocktail masterclasses, where participants can create their own personalised drinks.

The Thin White Duke is an intimate cocktail bar in Soho, featuring exposed brick walls and vibrant, art-inspired decor. Crafted by renowned mixologist Dav Eames, the menu showcases creative drinks like the Gin & Milk, blending Pink Pepper gin, almond milk, and white tea syrup. The venue also features recording studio suites and is available for private hire.

The original Three Sheets in Dalston is one of the best cocktail bars in the world, not just the UK, and this is its sibling. The Soho cocktail bar offers a carefully curated selection of cocktails that are both deceptively simple and intriguingly complex. There's also a compact wine list with a strong emphasis on champagne, as well as British-inspired bites like salt-beef sandwiches and triple-cooked chips.

Bar Termini exudes classic Italian charm, transforming seamlessly from a cosy coffee haven by day to a sophisticated cocktail bar with just 25 seats by night. The menu revolves around classics like Bellinis and Bloody Marys, alongside a curated selection of beer, wine, prosecco, and champagne. Pair your drinks with a tempting selection of antipasti, all served in a setting of authentic Italian elegance, complete with chequered floors.

The Den is a discreet speakeasy-style cocktail bar that pays tribute to Soho's rich musical heritage. It's a must-visit for music enthusiasts, offering live music with a pianist performing classic singalongs on request, and cocktails inspired by legendary rock icons. The walls are adorned with original artwork, adding to the venue's ambiance.

Soma reimagines the subterranean speakeasy with inspiration from the Indian subcontinent, brought to life by the team behind the award-winning Kricket restaurant next door. This late-night gem is renowned for its inventive cocktails, such as the Chaat Cocktail—a smoky blend of mezcal verde, Tapatio Blanco tequila, kumquat, and chaat masala spices. With an innovative menu and sleek atmosphere, Soma is rightfully considered one of Soho's premier cocktail bars.

The Vault is accessed via a cleverly disguised bookcase in a renowned whisky merchant's. Once a sherry storage cellar and rumoured to have been a clandestine gathering spot for colourful local figures, the space has been transformed into an award-winning, candlelit speakeasy, offering a range of inventive short and long drinks crafted from a seasonally rotating menu.

Regularly hailed as one of the best cocktail bars in the world, Swift is not some pop-themed retreat for Swifties – it's a sleek, award-winning cocktail lounge where you can savour an extensive selection of expertly crafted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There's also a cosy hideaway in the basement, where you can unwind with a unique drinks menu and soak in the atmosphere with live music.

Lina Stores was first an Italian delicatessen, then launched its own restaurant group, and finally branched out into drinks. You'll find this hip Italian aperitivo speakeasy tucked away beneath the original deli, with the candlelit retreat suffused in the intimate charm of 1960s Italy. You can sample reimagined classic Italian cocktails like negronis, refreshing spritzes, and a selection of premium Italian wines, along with an assortment of gourmet snacks.