The best new bars in London

A visit to the Guinness brewery is a typical activity if you're visiting Dublin but now Londoners won't even need to travel thanks to the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden. The venue is a microbrewery but also has a rooftop bar and restaurant, just like the Dublin venue. There's an open fire pit here and you can enjoy a cold and refreshing pint.

Champagne + Fromage has several outposts across London, combining bistro, bar, and boutique under one roof to celebrate the best of rustic French fare and fine bubbles. Each branch exudes cosy charm, with shelves stocked with artisan produce. Guests can choose from an extensive champagne list featuring rare vintages and small producers, perfectly paired with indulgent French classics such as gooey raclette, baked cheeses, and generous tartines.

Wine lovers can look forward to the new Vagabond in Canary Wharf. Like all Vagabond bars, this stylish bottle shop and bar offers over 100 wines on tap in a sleek interior lined with bottles, creating a contemporary yet welcoming atmosphere. The big draw here is Vagabond's very own urban winery, however, hailed as “a cathedral to wine.”

Stable Wines in Islington is a light-filled bar with a glasshouse ambience, where guests can sit at the bespoke oak counter to explore a thoughtful selection of natural and forward-thinking wines. Below ground, a maze of candlelit arches and secluded nooks – including a converted bank vault that now stores rare bottles – provides a more intimate setting.

The Martini Bar at Hawksmoor St Pancras offers a stylish, intimate atmosphere with dim lighting and classic decor. Its menu focuses on timeless cocktails alongside inventive house creations. The elegant surroundings, complete with ornate details and high ceilings, are brought to life with regular DJ nights, and there's a beaut of an outdoor terrace as well.

Olfaclub is a new wine bar in Walthamstow specialising in low-intervention wines served only by the glass, arranged by how approachable they are to help guests discover new favourites. The moody, stylish space also offers complimentary water that you can customise with mineral concentrates to mimic well-known bottled waters. A vinyl turntable completes the vibe, inviting visitors to settle in for relaxed listening sessions.

The Humble Grape wine bars offer a relaxed way to explore a vast collection of over 500 wines, many of them organic, natural, or biodynamic, sourced from across the globe. Guests can enjoy European-inspired small plates like baked Camembert, charcuterie, and steaks alongside their drinks, or purchase bottles to take home. The Bow Lane location is particularly atmospheric, set within the 11th-century crypt of St Mary-le-Bow, complete with original Norman arches and outdoor seating.

Box is a contemporary sports bar in the heart of London, perfectly positioned in Piccadilly Circus. The expansive venue features massive HD screens showing all the biggest football, tennis, and sporting events, so you never miss a moment. Beyond watching the action, you can get involved with darts, shuffleboard, and live band karaoke for a high-energy night out. The menu covers international favourites like burgers, pizzas, and sharing plates, while bottomless brunch brings an extra reason to visit.

Hidden beneath Bagatelle in Mayfair, La Sala is a Latin-inspired lounge and bar offering an elegant, intimate escape. Guests can settle in for signature cocktails, vibrant nights, and a stylish atmosphere. It's an atmospheric spot designed for both lively gatherings and relaxed evenings.

Combining a deli, wine bar, and neighbourhood bistro, Clara's brings a welcoming new hangout to Bethnal Green, doubling as a community spot as well as somewhere to eat and drink. By day, it feels like a laid-back café with light lunches and a counter laden with cheeses and charcuterie. As evening falls, the spotlight turns to natural wines and Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Hackney's Crate Brewery & Pizzeria is bringing its winning combo of pizza and craft beer to Canary Wharf. The lively spot serves up freshly made pizzas with plenty of veggie-friendly options, alongside a rotating line-up of quality brews. Set in a scenic location, the new bar and kitchen is a great place to grab a slice and a pint with friends.

Perched above the Wildflowers restaurant, Bar Flor is perfect for wine lovers looking for a more informal, playful setting. Its impressive wine selection, available by the glass or bottle, highlights adventurous makers and hidden gems from lesser-known vineyards. To complement the drinks, the menu draws inspiration from Spain's celebrated tapas culture, featuring pintxos and standout bites like the signature calamari sandwich.

High above Battersea Power Station, Pérola on the 14th floor of the Art'otel boasts sweeping panoramas of the iconic chimneys and London's skyline. The bar's mixologists shake up inventive signatures and pour a carefully curated wine list, while live musicians and DJs keep the atmosphere buzzing late into the evening.

Celebrity chef Robin Gill's new SW11 venture is a stylish all-day café-deli and aperitivo bar, shifting from morning coffee and pastries to Italian-inspired lunches and evening small plates. The menu features bites like sage and anchovy fritters, devilled egg crostini, and the signature Bourdain toastie, complemented by cocktails and wines from a txakoli tap and Northern Italy. With marble counters, warm wood tones, and effortlessly chic staff, it's a photogenic spot from day to night.

The Brother Marcus team ventures into the world of mixology with Kamara, an upscale cocktail bar in the centre of Soho. Drawing on the founders' Greek roots, the menu features inventive drinks crafted with house-infused spirits and ferments, paired with mezze such as cod's roe taramasalata with sumac onion or crisp fried calamari for snacking.

Experience the thrill of clay target shooting at Clays, where country traditions meet cutting-edge technology. Using massive 4K screens, this interactive venue lets you test your aim while enjoying food and drinks delivered straight to your playing area. With shareable bites like loaded breads and platters, alongside an extensive selection of cocktails, shots, wine, and local beer, Clays offers a lively and immersive social experience. The new Soho branch is the group's flagship venue.

Bunga 90 is the new incarnation of former Italian party haunt Bunga Bunga, now transformed into a shrine to the 1990s. The immersive new bar in Covent Garden is stuffed with retro decor like VHS tapes, dial-up tones, and cocktails served in goblets shaped like 90s pop icons. Bunga Bunga's signature oversized pizzas remain, and karaoke keep the vibes high. On weekends, the party kicks off early with a bottomless brunch and live music.

In the heart of London's West End, U9 redefines karaoke with a sleek, high-end experience. Drawing inspiration from iconic Asian karaoke lounges, the venue features a space-age design and offers nine private suites, each fitted with KTV visuals, in-room ordering, and cutting-edge sound and lighting systems, making it feel like your very own VIP club. Guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails from the bar, with bottle service available too.

Pintxito, part of the Camino restaurant group, takes inspiration from the classic pintxo bars of Spain, with an emphasis on the flavours and wines of the Basque region. Guests can enjoy a diverse selection of hot and cold pintxo snacks, perfect for pairing with an extensive range of wines. Set in the vibrant Covent Garden Piazza, the lively surroundings enhance the authentic Spanish atmosphere.

All My Gods is a deliberately crafted dive bar tucked inside a Bethnal Green railway arch, where tattooist Roxy Velvet's artwork lines the walls and the loos pay homage to 90s skate culture. The space doubles as a hub for alternative happenings, with a roster of events that keeps things lively. Pool tables, rock blaring from the speakers, and a line-up of signature cocktails make it every inch the real deal – even if it does share owners with the polished whisky spots Milroy's and Dram.

A fresh venture from street-food pioneers Kerb, Kerb Social Club combines the friendly buzz of a local pub with the thrills of live sports and the variety of a food hall. Situated in Old Spitalfields Market, this lively spot hosts several vendors dishing up American favourites such as hotdogs and Detroit-style pizza, along with big screens broadcasting major sports events. Upstairs, guests can enjoy drinks at the terrace bar overlooking the market, play games, sing karaoke, or book one of the private rooms.

Previously known as Alfie's, this revamped East London bar has undergone a 2025 transformation with a vibrant Mexican twist. The cocktail menu centres on top-quality agave spirits, developed in collaboration with the team from Oaxaca's Sabina Sabe, one of the world's best cocktail bars. Alongside the expertly mixed drinks, guests can tuck into a range of Mexican-inspired snacks and sharing plates.

Boasting a view of Tower Bridge, Luna is a cosy bar focused on biodynamic wines from across the globe, served in a softly glowing, candlelit atmosphere. Guests can enjoy their glass alongside a rotating menu of small sharing plates, best savoured from the mezzanine with river views. Brought to you by the folks behind Legare, this welcoming and laid-back venue champions exceptional wines from ethical producers.

Bar Lina is a speakeasy-style Italian aperitivo bar nestled beneath the Canary Wharf location of Lina Stores, the renowned Italian deli and pasta restaurant group. With its candlelit atmosphere, the bar evokes the intimate charm of 1960s Italy, offering a selection of drinks that put a modern twist on classic Italian cocktails like negronis, alongside spritzes and exquisite Italian wines. Light snacks are also on hand to accompany your drinks.

BookBar aims to connect people through a shared love of literature. With this ethos at its heart, the bookshop pairs its library with a cosy wine bar and a versatile event space. It plays host to a wide array of happenings – from book clubs and author Q&As to live music, wine tastings and even literary-themed speed dating.

Opened by the trendy Lardo restaurant next door, Bastardo is a stylish and laid-back wine bar with a neighbourhood feel. The focus is on natural, low-intervention wines, with a rotating selection of 70 bottles available at any given time. You'll find a menu of moreish small bites like smoked almonds, creamy stracciatella, and crispy pizza fritti to go with the drinks.

Blinds in Haggerston, described by its owner as a “groovy wine bar,” champions natural wines from small, independent producers. Its carefully selected wine list rotates frequently, paired with a changing menu of small plates such as pies and charcuterie. Alongside top-notch cocktails, the bar comes alive on weekends with DJ sets.

For a mix of entertainment and great drinks, head to Draughts, where board games get a modern twist. This vibrant bar combines a welcoming atmosphere with an extensive collection of games, ensuring there's always something fresh to play. With everything from draught beer to classic cocktails, plus a tempting menu of burgers and tacos, it's the perfect spot for a fun and social night out.

On Friday nights, Forno, the much-loved Hackney bakery, morphs into a trendy Japanese-inspired listening bar, complete with a high-end hi-fi sound system showcasing local DJ talent. The kitchen continues to serve its signature pizzas, while the drinks menu leans into a carefully curated selection of natural wines.

Tucked away in a basement in Shoreditch, Parasol is a trendy underground cocktail bar brought to you by the team behind the Discount Suit Company. The bar serves an array of signature cocktails alongside a rotating selection of dishes and bar snacks, with a curated wine list also on offer. Adding to the lively atmosphere, DJs keep the energy flowing with their beats.

If you love ping pong and a buzzing party atmosphere, Bat & Ball is the place to be. With championship-sized tables, lively entertainment, and plenty of games, you can challenge your friends to table tennis, beer pong, darts, pool, and other games – or belt out a tune in the karaoke room. Enjoy live sports, DJ sets, and a tempting selection of cocktails, beer, and wine, alongside tasty bites like pizza, burgers, and fries.

MakeShift Bar is an intimate cocktail spot tucked away in Islington. Run by acclaimed mixologist Josh Powell, the venue takes a slightly unconventional approach – there's no classic bar counter in sight, and the drinks are crafted with the help of precision scales to calculate weight and density, instead of standard jiggers. A selection of bar nibbles is on offer, and when the weather is pleasant, guests can enjoy seating outdoors as well.

Hidden beneath Mexican restaurant Corrochio's, Cinco is a cosy, minimalist mezcaleria specialising in cocktails made with agave and other Mexican spirits, including an exclusive house mezcal. Guests can also enjoy a curated selection of small plates from the kitchen upstairs.

Created by the team behind Dram and Oranj, Câv is a cocktail bar and dining spot in Bethnal Green. The drinks menu features imaginative cocktails alongside a wine selection that highlights female winemakers. Meanwhile, the kitchen will host an ever-changing line-up of guest chefs, showcasing their culinary talents through rotating residencies.

The original Hacha made history as London's first bar dedicated to tequila and mezcal, earning recognition as one of the country's finest drinking spots. Its Bermondsey counterpart offers a welcoming and chic setting where guests can explore an array of spirits and expertly crafted cocktails, alongside a menu of authentic Mexican dishes. The venue also hosts a dynamic calendar of events, including themed brunches, fusion dining experiences, and guest collaborations.

The Meatliquor crew ventures into the sports bar scene with Bloodsports, a gritty sports bar nestled in Covent Garden. Here, live sports take centre stage throughout the day, while horror films fill the void as the night deepens. The bar offers a selection of boozy slushies and highballs, alongside a mix of Meatliquor favourites and inventive new dishes.

True to their name, The Alchemist bars across the capital specialise in advanced mixology, creating distinctive molecular cocktails and showcasing them in stunning, dramatic presentations. Alongside this, a comprehensive all-day dining menu featuring international favourites is offered in a stylishly decorated setting. On selected nights, live DJs provide entertainment, captivating the audience until the early hours.

And Then in Tooting is a vibrant social hub created to foster genuine, in-person connections, featuring communal seating, interactive games, and versatile spaces that adapt to different atmospheres. More than just a rooftop bar, it offers a fresh take on nightlife, prioritising spontaneity, engagement, and shared moments. With DJ sets and curated events on weekends, plus a food menu in collaboration with Honest Burgers, it delivers a lively and well-rounded experience.

Hidden below contemporary Italian restaurant Hoax in Dalston, The Devil You Know is an intimate, low-lit cocktail den led by industry veteran Simone Crepaldi, previously of the acclaimed Callooh Callay. The bar's menu moves confidently between refined classics and inventive house creations, each mixed with the assurance of someone who really knows their craft. The atmosphere leans playful and a little indulgent.

Step inside Passione Vino and you'll find a playful interior, dressed in bold patterned walls and eccentric decor. The brainchild of Italian wine aficionado Luca Dusi, the shop and wine bar showcases bottles from independent natural winemakers across Italy. To accompany the pours, there's a menu of comforting Italian favourites.

Peckham's beloved Forza Wine continues its steady expansion, now opening a third outpost in London. Guests can expect the same mix of natural wines, creative cocktails, and an ever-evolving menu of small plates like panzanella, burrata, and harissa chicken. The new Soho bar also boasts plenty of outdoor seating for relaxed drinking and dining.

Tucked beneath the Soho outpost of El Patron, El Siete is dedicated to all things agave. True to its name, the drinks menu lines up seven riffs on the margarita, seven original agave-forward creations, seven twists on familiar classics, and seven alcohol-free choices, all supported by a curated collection of mezcals and tequilas. Alongside the drinks, you can nibble on snacks by the upstairs restaurant.