Bar – Guides to London

Watching sports in a bar with friends or even just like-minded strangers is a completely different experience to watching from your living room couch, with the convivial atmosphere making every win that much sweeter and every loss that much easier to accept. As one of London's busiest areas, Covent...

London is famous for its skyline, with striking landmarks as far as the eye can see. If you're looking to make the most of the view, you can head up to one of the Central London rooftop bars and take in the sights while sipping on an expertly mixed cocktail or a glass of fine wine. Walking the stree...

The heart of London's creative scene beats to the rhythm of its own drum – and you can experience that rhythm live at one of the many music bars in Shoreditch. From low-lit basement dives to teched-out listening bars, Shoreditch has plenty of venues that turn up the volume for jazz, funk, rock, soul...

Looking to get your drinks on without breaking the bank? This guide is your ticket to exploring the best spots in the capital where you can enjoy expertly-crafted cocktails whilst staying within budget. Whether you're a local looking for a new haunt or a visitor seeking to experience London's cockta...

Camden Town is well-known for many things – the bustling markets, picturesque canal, and its thriving nightlife. If you’re looking for a great atmosphere and delicious drinks, there are lots of exciting bars in Camden that you can visit. Whether you prefer craft beer, cocktails, or a bar...

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 alo...

We all deserve a bit of luxury now and then, and a glass of champagne can usually do the trick. When you need some bubbly there are plenty of champagne bars in London that offer patrons a stylish place to relax and enjoy a few glasses. If you’re ready for some of the finest French wines availa...

Like any self-respecting London neighbourhood, Clapham is full of welcoming neighbourhood boozers, ranging from classic pubs to more quirky establishments. Whether you're after a fresh pint, a filling meal, chilling in a nice beer garden, or a lively, sociable night, you're sure to find the right pl...

In 2022, London was voted the most expensive city in the UK for a night out. Yikes. But lucky for us, it also has its fair share of happy hours to keep you thrifty. So, if you're done with spending your monthly wage on overly expensive cocktails and want to get frugal, you're in the right place. Fro...

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...

Covent Garden is one of London's liveliest areas, where tourists often flock first. But don't be fooled, it's still home to a bunch of super cool cocktail bars serving some of the best drinks in the city. It doesn't matter if you're looking for a swanky spot in a sleek space, an intimate date night...

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...

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...

Shoreditch is known for its excellent drinking scene, home to some of the best bars in the capital, from swanky cocktail spots to rough-around-the-edges classic London boozers. It's also the postcode of several late-night bars for when you want to keep the party going well into the early hours. Whet...

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, f...

There are few nicer things in life than sitting down to a glass of good wine. As might be expected of a neighbourhood with a creative, bohemian vibe, there's no shortage of pleasant wine bars in Shoreditch. From charming hidden spots and quirky wine pubs to well-known wine palaces, oenophiles are su...

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 with the proud British ale tradition and the abundance of corner pubs and local boozers in London, there's certainly no shortage of places where you can get a cold beer after work in the capital. But those looking for a change from their usual pint, perhaps a bold new flavour or just a differen...

Not only do the fast-paced lifestyle and business dealings of the City of London lend themselves well to enjoying an after-work drink or two, the capital's financial district is also home to iconic landmarks and spectacular rooftops from which to observe them. All in all, whether you're after exclus...

Islington is one of London's liveliest and trendiest neighbourhoods, packed with cool joints and hip hangouts. But it still knows the value of a good pub, and often leads the way when it comes to top-notch local boozers. From proper old-school pubs to respected gastropubs and rowdy party spots, our...

If you're in Camden Town and you fancy going to the pub, then you're really in for a treat. The area is well-known for pub culture and there's a wide range of venues to choose from. From classic boozers that never change to pubs with tempting food or a distinctive atmosphere, there are lots of optio...

South Bank and Waterloo might be better known for theatres, galleries and tourists trailing along the river, but the pub scene here has plenty going for it. You get riverside spots perfect for long summer afternoons and backstreet locals that still feel like proper neighbourhood secrets. It is an ar...

Kensington is known as a bit of a fancy area – it's even home to a royal residence, Kensington Palace. There's loads going on and that includes lots of cool places to enjoy a drink in stylish surroundings, with plenty of upmarket destinations. There's tons of choice, ranging from fun cocktail bars a...

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...

Whisky and whiskey are beloved spirits that have been enjoyed for centuries around the world. In London, you can find a plethora of options when it comes to whisky tastings and masterclasses, from intimate, cosy bars to grand, luxurious venues. Whether you're a seasoned whisky connoisseur or a curio...

London has a vast array of different types of accommodation for visitors. Staying at a pub that has its own guest rooms is one fab idea – it's usually more affordable than a fancy hotel and gives you a boutique hotel experience along with all the fun and atmosphere of a typical British pub. If you'r...

Covent Garden is not just a hotspot for theatre, shopping, and dining, it's also home to some of the city's best cocktail bars. From hidden speakeasies tucked in unassuming venues to stylish bars serving award-winning drinks, this iconic area is a hit for drinking. With so many drinking dens to disc...

There’s loads going on in Brixton. By day it’s a great place to explore buzzing street markets and restaurants and later there’s a vibrant and bustling nightlife. There are plenty of great clubs, pubs, and bars in Brixton that make it a lively destination for a top night out. It do...

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 dri...

In Soho, the main action is on the streets, but there are still opportunities for taking in the hustle and bustle of this famous London neighbourhood from high above. Though rooftop space is at a premium in Soho, several bars have set up perches above street level, offering striking views of the cit...

Wine lovers can find an array of sophisticated yet inviting spots to enjoy a glass of something special in Marylebone, ranging from intimate hideaways and sunny terraces to wine culture bastions where the food is as important as the vintage. Peruse our curated list of the best wine bars in Marylebon...

London has always taken its pubs seriously, but the current Guinness boom has taken things to another level. If you're privy to splitting the G, you'll know exactly what we mean. Suddenly, everyone's talking about it, frantically searching for where to get a pint that actually settles properly. We'd...

If you're looking for good rooftop bars in London, this guide has all bases covered. From oyster happy hours and home-grown veggie menus to 360-views and rooftop cinema nights, these are just a handful of the things you can expect to come across at some of London's best rooftop bars. Enjoy afternoon...

Looking for a taste of the tropics in London? Look no further than the city's top tiki bars! From subterranean sustainable bars with innovative cocktails to tropical havens with private huts and pirate caves, London's tiki bar scene has something for everyone. Whether you're craving signature fruity...

Once they get their big break and start bringing home the big bucks, many actors, musicians, athletes and other celebrities decide to invest in the hospitality business. For some, it's the realisation of a lifelong dream, others see it as a good investment opportunity, and some probably just want a...

Shoreditch has long been London's hangout for the cool, creative types, and its gay bars are no exception. The area thrums with excellent LGBTQ+ nightlife spots, from cocktail bars to late-night dance floors, this area is home to some of the city's best queer nightlife. Swing by one of the venues fo...

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...

Wine isn't just delicious, it's complex, diverse, and infinitely fascinating. If it's your drink of choice you might be interested in going to a wine tasting and learning more about it. All over the city there are wine bars and shops running tastings so you can get some insight into your favourite t...

It's no surprise that somewhere as cool as Shoreditch is home to some of the best cocktail bars in the world. In this hip corner of the city, you'll find a slew of excellent drinking dens, ranging from molecular mixology experts to laid-back speakeasy hangouts. Next time you're in Shoreditch, don't...

Anyone who's ever wandered in from the cold, only to be greeted by a roaring fire, knows how great pubs with fireplaces are. Sipping on a nice ale, slouched comfortably by the hearth as the flames defrost your frozen toes, pubs with a fireplace are the best place to be on a chilly winter night. Thou...

Belgravia's well-heeled reputation might bring cocktail and champagne bars to mind. Whilst such sophisticated spots are indeed a fixture of the area, that doesn't mean there's a shortage of pubs with a friendly atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude. If you want to drink in a traditional venue or enj...

Shoreditch has rightfully earned iconic status in the bar scene over the past decade, and it's easy to see why. Many of its bars have won awards, even securing spots on the list of the world's top cocktail bars. Whether they're among the best or not, you'll find everything from molecular mixology to...

Between Borough Market and the Bermondsey Beer Mile, pubs in Southwark often get overlooked when it comes to this busy borough's main draws. We're here to correct that, as there's more to Southwark's boozers than thirsty tourist traps or chain pubs catering to a rushed commuter crowd. Read our guide...

Many of us are taking more of an interest in the origins of what we eat and drink, and that includes wine. Natural and organic wine in London is becoming the first choice for more and more vino connoisseurs because of its unique style, and there are many destinations in the capital where you can exp...

Every year, on 17 March, the world celebrates St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In the capital, a variety of fun activities and events that showcase Irish culture and traditions help mark the occasion. Our guide to where to celebrate St Patrick's Day in London highlights some of the best thin...

More and more of us are now choosing to drink less alcohol or give it up altogether. That means that zero-alcohol alternatives are becoming more commonplace, including alcohol-free spirits and well-crafted mocktails that give you all the fun of a cocktail without the headache the next day. If you're...

With its rich sporting history and deep-rooted pub culture, London has always been a hub for rugby enthusiasts worldwide. The capital's many watering holes come alive with the roars of fans enjoying the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and other major rugby union matches. Our guide to where to watch ru...

London is a city famed for its rich history and pub culture, which has become an important part of British heritage. Brits are incredibly proud of their pubs, and many of them tell the tales of all important historical moments. London is home to many, including a collection of pubs with names as int...

Visit Bethnal Green and you'll find a bustling and lively part of East London with a rich history. The diverse population and buzzing atmosphere in this part of the city mean there are plenty of cool places to hang out locally, including a variety of enticing bars. If you live or regularly visit her...

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...