The coolest bars in Soho

Bar Américain, the cool cocktail bar in Soho, stays true to the American-style bar tradition, offering classic pre-Prohibition cocktails in a dimly lit, polished setting. With classic drinks like the corpse reviver, vesper martini, and turf club, alongside a rotating themed menu inspired by theatre and Hollywood, it blends timeless sophistication with creative flair. Best of all, despite its prime location, it remains a surprisingly affordable spot for a classy drink.

One of the most famous jazz bars in the world, Ronnie Scott's has been attracting hip crowds for more than half a century – not just in the audience but on stage as well, with the likes of Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald having played here. More than just a cool Soho bar, it's a cultural institution that embraces a variety of genres, while its late-night jam sessions keep the atmosphere spontaneous and dynamic.

Occupying a former boxing gym, Jack Solomons Club is equal parts old-school cool and new-school trendy. Behind its discreet entrance, guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, a vast selection of whisky and gin, and bottle service featuring classic drinks like negronis and martinis. With regular DJ nights, private hire options, and a stylish setting, this is a go-to Soho bar for both casual drinks and special celebrations.

Another cool Soho bar with live music, Ain't Nothin' But has been keeping the spirit of blues alive since the early 1990s. With daily performances, including acoustic sets, full-band shows, and legendary jam sessions featuring dozens of musicians, it welcomes a diverse crowd. This grassroots venue is a must-visit for blues lovers and live music fans, as well as anyone just looking for a cool night out in Soho.

Opium in Chinatown offers an immersive cocktail and dim sum experience, transporting guests to 1920s Shanghai through its hidden jade-green door on Gerrard Street. Spanning two floors, this cool bar features three distinct areas to cater to different occasions. With exotic, Asian-inspired cocktails like the umami martini and a tasty dim sum menu, Opium is an atmospheric spot to start or spend an entire evening in style.

Bar Italia is arguably the coolest bar in Soho, even though it's more a coffee bar than a drinking den. Immortalised in a song by Pulp, frequented by celebrities like Tom Hardy, Emily Ratajkowski, and Mick Jagger, and open more or less around the clock, this legendary red-and-white Formica bar has served as a hub for London's Italian community for decades, as well as providing a safe haven for cool Londoners in need of a proper espresso at any time of day.

With its zingy Thai cuisine, shophouse stylings, and canal racer decor, Speedboat Bar quickly became a favourite of hip Londoners. This cool bar in Soho features a downstairs dining area where you can try signature dishes like drunken noodles or stir-fries. Upstairs is a buzzy, lively drinking den for cocktails, chinwags, and general merriment.

Cahoots is a one-of-a-kind London bar set in the disused Kingly Court Underground Station, once an air raid shelter during the war. The space retains its vintage charm with relics like tinned food, old lampshades, and mismatched crockery, creating an authentic post-war atmosphere. Blending nostalgia with lively energy, it serves rations-inspired bites, creative cocktails, and hosts spirited late-night parties.

The second outpost of the renowned Three Sheets, this cool cocktail bar continues the legacy of one of London's finest. It offers an elegant yet understated selection of expertly crafted cocktails, alongside a focused wine list with an emphasis on champagne. By day, guests can enjoy artisanal pastries and coffee, while the evening menu features British-inspired bites like salt-beef sandwiches and triple-cooked chips.

The Nightjar speakeasy infuses the West End with Prohibition-era elegance. Its cocktail menu spans historical eras, featuring forgotten classics dating as far back as the 1600s for a truly immersive drinking experience. With nightly live jazz, swing, blues, or funk, and a hidden location beneath Carnaby Street, stepping inside this cool Soho bar feels like travelling to another time.

Bar Termini is a charming Italian hideaway, serving expertly brewed coffee by day and classic cocktails by night. With just 25 seats, its intimate setting makes booking in advance advisable. The menu offers timeless drinks like Bellinis and Bloody Marys, as well as a selection of antipasti, all served in a stylish, chequered-floor space.

Disrepute's name harks back to its days as a private 1960s basement club linked to the infamous Profumo affair, reflected in its glamorous decor and plush leather booths. Today, it enjoys a far more prestigious reputation, frequently ranking among the best cocktail bars in London and beyond. Its signature narrative cocktails offer intriguing descriptions to guide your choice, while discreet notepaper for secret messages to other patrons adds a playful touch.

Bar Crispin is a cool Soho wine bar and all-day dining spot frequented by those in the know. Specialising in low-intervention wines and seasonal small plates, it offers a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The menu takes inspiration from across Europe, sourcing ingredients from local farms and independent producers, while the carefully curated wine selection focuses on European vintages.

This risqué hideaway beneath Pix bar in Soho embraces its past as an adult cinema with a playful twist. Guests enter through a secret phone system and are guided to a private cabin for up to eight people. Inside, buttons let you dim the lights, summon a server for cocktails, or screen vintage adult films from the 1970s for some added naughtiness.

You can't help but feel like the coolest person alive when you're swirling a snifter of premium whisky around in your hand, and renowned whisky specialist Milroy's is the place to go to get that feeling in Greek Street. The intimate Soho bar and shop, easily recognised by its vibrant blue exterior, is home to an extensive collection of the finest spirits from around the world.