Bar – Guides to London

Whether you’re into craft beer, cocktails, or wine, enjoying a drink with friends in a bar can be one of life’s little pleasures. London has a huge choice of bars all over the city, from the small and intimate to the big and raucous. If you’re looking for the ideal spot to savour your favourite tipp...

Is there anything quite like a pub? The welcoming wooden furnishings, the unmistakable tang of joyous nights in the air, the shiny taps poking their marquees above the bar, the simple familiarity of the place, even if you've never been there before – pubs are a quintessentially British place and no...

London has a buzzing food and drink scene, with new bars as well as restaurants opening up regularly. If you're the type of person who's always on the look-out for new venues and experiences, our list of the newest bars in London will keep you in the know about the latest places to go for a drink. W...

For some of us, a great night out just isn't complete without music. From smooth jazz in the background to raucous live bands that get everyone going, music can really be the icing on the cake for your evening. Fortunately London has a huge variety of bars that have live music on regularly. Whatever...

Want to watch an important match with a lively crowd of fans, spend some quality time with your mates, or just grab some chow with the footie on in the background? It comes as no surprise that the capital of such a sports-loving nation sports a bunch of lively bars, football pubs, and other venues d...

Born as a response to the segregation and racism experienced by South Asian immigrants in the second half of the 20th century, desi pubs are a testament to the power of multiculturalism – failing pubs, taken over by British-Indian landlords and turned into a success story. With food and community at...

Fish and chips is an iconic British dish, the golden, crispy batter and perfectly cooked chips a staple of UK cuisine, and one of the best places to enjoy it is a proper pub. You should always have a good pub that serves fish and chips in your back pocket for hunger emergencies, with the authentic p...

There’s no question that some of the capital’s best nightlife can be be found in East London, with more pubs, bars, and clubs than we can count. Choosing the top bars in East London is certainly tricky with so many buzzy spaces open, catering to a broad array of interests. If you’re not sure where t...

London Bridge is brimming with cool and quirky bars tucked down unassuming streets; you just have to know where to go. After eating your way around every stall at Borough Market (no judgement here), head to one of these local bars where you can enjoy everything from fine wines and cocktails to craft...

Chelsea is an upmarket part of West London with all sorts of high-end shopping and dining options. If you're looking for somewhere to enjoy a few drinks, this sophisticated area won't let you down. From vibrant cocktail bars mixing original drinks to sleek wine bars, the area is full of interesting...

From cosy joints and dimly-lit basement bars to forward-thinking cocktail spots, Shoreditch certainly isn’t short of excellent places to enjoy a drink or two. This guide to the best bars in Shoreditch covers all bases, from bars with sustainability at their core to rooftop terraces with fantastic ci...

London Bridge is probably best known for sights such as Borough Market and The Shard, but there are plenty of watering holes tucked away among the headliners, letting you catch your breath while touring the area. Thanks to London Bridge's proximity to the Thames and merchant past, there's no shortag...

If you spend time in Victoria, or even if you’re just passing through when you’re getting a train or coach, there’s a good chance you might want to enjoy a drink in the area. Fortunately, there are a variety of bars in Victoria that cater to a range of different preferences and are great for get-tog...

Unsurprisingly, London’s riverside South Bank is one of the city’s busier areas to explore, so when it comes to picking the best places to sink a pint or two, it’s always worth planning ahead. We’ve hand-picked our favourite spots to enjoy a drink in this creative district, from boardgame bars to ol...

Covent Garden is the sort of place you can expect to be rubbing shoulders with curious travellers passing through the city and the occasional street performer, but that doesn’t mean that all of the bars here are chock full of tourists. Head to this swanky London district, and you’ll find everything...

Thanks to the high density of five-star hotels and luxurious shopping opportunities in Knightsbridge, this affluent London district is where to go if you're looking for drinks in an atmospheric, sophisticated setting. From glamorous hotel bars and elegant cocktail lounges to stylish wine bars, Knigh...

Whether you’re searching for the best beer garden in the area or looking for a place to enjoy a post-carnival pint, this guide to the best bars in Notting Hill has got you covered. From tiki-inspired bars and Victorian pubs to quirky cocktail bars, Notting Hill has an eclectic selection of drinking...

Tucked away amidst world-renowned museums, historic buildings, and leafy garden squares, South Kensington offers some of the finest bars in the city. Among the various bars South Kensington calls its own, you'll find beautiful traditional pubs, classy cocktail bars, prohibition-style speakeasies, an...

Mayfair might be the most expensive property on the Monopoly board, but there are still plenty of cool things to do that don't require you to be one of the elites, especially if you like drinking. When you see the W1 postcode, images of fancy hotels with butlers standing outside might instantly pop...

Central London isn't short on excellent bars; in fact, it's home to several of the world's best, from glitzy hotel hangouts to subterranean speakeasies. Fancy a dry martini stirred at your table? Consider it done. Prefer something smoky, spicy and rimmed with salt? They've got that too. Whether you'...

Amongst London's many claims to fame, the capital is considered to be the birthplace of the modern gastropub. Combining elevated cuisine with cosy pub ambience for a more accessible fine dining experience, the gastropub quickly took root and launched a whole new scene. These days, more or less any p...

From cosy candlelit wine bars and hip Hackney hangouts to bars stocking hard-to-find wines from around the world, London certainly isn’t short on places to enjoy an excellent bottle of wine in an equally pleasing setting. Whether you want somewhere quiet where you can catch up with an old pal after...

The West London suburb of Ealing probably isn't the first place that springs to mind when you think about London's nightlife. Whilst it might not have a reputation like Soho or Shoreditch, that doesn't mean there aren't some great places for a drink in the area. If you're looking for a fantastic Eal...

When you picture a night out in Greenwich, you’re probably most likely to think about the area’s many traditional riverside pubs. If you’re heading out in the area and fancy a change from the pub scene, don’t fret. There are plenty of diverse bars in Greenwich that range from craft beer tap rooms to...

Islington is home to a great variety of bars that cater to every taste and interest. Looking for a world-class cocktail destination, a late-night dive bar, a tropical haven, or somewhere for craft beer? Islington has got the lot! When you’re looking for somewhere great for drinks in Islington, we’ve...

Buzzy Marylebone has lots of cool places to explore, from Michelin-starred restaurants to top-ranked cocktail bars that are great options for beginning or continuing your night. If you fancy a drink in the area you'll find lots of pubs and bars to try out. From rum shacks to wine bars, we've found s...

The bar scene in Clapham is centred mainly around the High Street, with an array of local and city-wide favourites pouring the drinks and pumping out the tunes. There's more to enjoying a drink or two in this South London area, however. Read our guide to the best bars in Clapham to discover your new...

With its transport links to mainland Europe, it's no surprise that King's Cross has become a buzzy part of town. The area is now home to a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, pubs, and bars that make it a fun place to be, both for those who live in London and for people who are just visiting. If you...

Kingsland Road is a bustling East London street that has loads going on. It’s home to restaurants, culture, and of course, a fantastic selection of bars. If you’re searching for a cool bar in Kingsland Road to enjoy your favourite tipple, you’re sure to find plenty of options, whatever your tastes m...

It’s always great to go drinking somewhere that has the aesthetic and music you love. If you prefer things a little on the darker or heavier side, you’ll have a great time at some of London’s alternative bars and pubs. Camden Town has long been a hotspot for these places but there are venues across...

From laidback British boozers and classy west London pubs to lively neighbourhood hot spots, Notting Hill is brimming with excellent pubs for every kind of visitor. Every pub offers something different, whether you’re looking for the perfect beer garden for al fresco drinks in the summer sunshine, o...

Soho has long been the beating heart of London's famed live music scene, with history, creativity, and culture colliding on its bustling street. The iconic district, known for its rich musical heritage, has hosted legendary artists and continues to thrive as a hotspot for live performances. From int...

A few drinks with friends is always a great laugh but sometimes you want to inject even more fun into your evening. Visiting a bar with activities in London lets you enjoy yourself, get competitive, and maybe even try something new. From axe throwing to video games and escape rooms, there’s loads go...

Pubs might be the first thing to come to mind where drinking in London is concerned, but the city has an equally rich tradition where cocktail bars are concerned. Bartenders in London have invented numerous classic cocktails and help shape the international cocktail scene to this day, with London’s...

Soho has long been a hotspot for fab nightlife in London. From glam bars, clubs, and theatres to cosy local pubs, there are plenty of places for a night out. You can check out one of the many pubs in Soho if you’re looking for a relaxed spot for a drink in the afternoon or a great place to go in the...

Marylebone is no stranger to excellent places to wine and dine, and that includes cocktail bars. This little enclave of the city boasts a handful of fabulous cocktail bars, ranging from secret speakeasies to established hotel hangouts. Whether you want to learn the art of cocktail-making for yoursel...

Despite the Beer Orders of 1989, independent pubs in London still seem very much a dying breed, often being sold off or even shuttered due to rising economic costs. That said, there are still quite a few excellent London free houses standing their ground in order to offer the best of what a pub is s...

Hi-fi listening bars are all the rage in London these days. Inspired by the jazz kissa bars of Japan, these relaxed, stylish listening lounges offer serious audiophiles and casual listeners alike the opportunity to enjoy a lovingly curated vinyl collection served via a state-of-the-art sound system....

What could be more fun than rolling up to your local pub and annihilating everyone at the quiz? A pub quiz in London is a great way to get your (most intelligent) friends together, show off your brainpower, and enjoy a few drinks and laughs along the way. Plus you can usually find a pub quiz on most...

London's LGBTQ+ nightlife is famed around the world, but there's more to the city than Soho clubs, with lots of different inclusive spaces, sights, and services available to queer individuals. From restaurants and bars flying the rainbow flag to gender-neutral hair salons and libraries delving into...

Sometimes, a door is just a door. And sometimes, it's the portal to a boozy haven where those in the know come to indulge in whispered secrets and mysterious potions. Those who take a look around the capital and think there can’t possibly be any more bars are in for a surprise, as the city hides a w...

Sometimes you head home after one drink, other times you … don't. Thankfully, living in a city the size of London means there's always some place you can drag yourself to after your local turns on the lights. London's late-night bar scene is as diverse as the city itself, offering everything from li...

Wander through Soho on any night of the week and you'll see crowds of people enjoying the area's famed drinking culture. You can find bars of all sorts here, from seedy and disreputable to some of the best ones in the whole world. Whether you're looking to try an exciting new concoction or just want...

London's live music scene is one of the best in the world. From the Amy Winehouse days in Camden to Jimi Hendrix's former stomping ground in Mayfair, the city has always been a hub for some of the most incredible musical talent to exist. Many pubs have played a part in this and continue to provide a...

So you fancy a drink, but you're on a budget – what do you do? With Wetherspoons rapidly closing down pubs all over the city, the opportunities for a cheap and cosy pint are becoming more scarce. All is not lost if you want the fun of a trip to the pub without a serious price tag; when it comes to c...

Even though it's not as well-known for its bar scene as some of the other parts of London, there are still lots of cool places to get a drink in Marylebone, from chill wine bars to elegant cocktail bar and speakeasy-style hideaways. Our guide to the coolest bars in Marylebone shines a spotlight on t...

Sometimes your bog standard bar just doesn’t cut the mustard, and you’ve left yearning for something a little more fun, outlandish or cool. Like a bar decked out in your nan’s old furniture or a drinking den in an old abandoned tube station turned air raid shelter (or something along those lines). L...

From plagues and great fires to world wars and global pandemics, the city has had its fair share of tumultuous times, but if there's one thing it has perfected, it's pulling the perfect pint. The city has a healthy smattering of quaint old boozers that are perfect for sinking a few pints in a vintag...

Covent Garden is one of London's busiest areas and sometimes it's nice to take a step back from it – or above it, for that matter. Perched above the bustling streets, Covent Garden's rooftop bars offer an in-demand combination of scenic views, stylish settings, and expertly crafted drinks. Whether y...

Soho famously never sleeps, with this well-known part of London renowned for its lively nightlife. If you're a night owl or simply don't want a great night to end too soon, head to Soho and you're sure to find a bar open late. In case you're stuck for choice, however, our guide to the best late-nigh...