Bar – Guides to London

Mayfair is one of the finer London neighbourhoods, renowned for being home to the rich and famous and for its fine-dining restaurants, high-end shopping, and five-star hotels. It's also home to a selection of exceptional wine bars, perfect for sipping on fine wines from around the world. Whether you...

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...

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...

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...

The UK might be famous for its ales, but that doesn't mean wine culture goes unappreciated here. In fact, there are pleasant wine bars to be found across the city, ranging from Parisian-style bistros to modern temples to the grape. Our guide to the best wine bars in Central London highlights the top...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Mayfair is one of London's fancier neighbourhoods, known for its five-star hotels, upmarket restaurants and swish cocktail bars. Joining in with the glitz and glam is a bunch of rooftop bars in the area that offer the perfect place to enjoy some alfresco drinks. From secret sun-soaked terraces to hu...

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...

Beer pong might not have taken off in the UK to the extent it has in the USA, but there are still quite a few places around London where you can get your game on. What's more, some enterprising souls have actually evolved the game and adapted it to the British palate, replacing beer with prosecco as...

25th January means it's Burns Night, celebrating the birthday of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, the national poet of Scotland who was born in 1759. Don't think that the partying is just limited to our friends in Scotland though – plenty of venues in London are putting on special menus and lively events to h...

While Soho is traditionally known as the epicentre of London's jazz scene, Shoreditch has long been home to an underground jazz movement and live music culture. From clandestine jazz bars to award-winning clubs hosting dedicated jazz nights, you'll find something jazzy every day of the week in Shore...

Fitzrovia pubs are mainly a weekday proposition, with many of them even closed on Sundays. Regardless, they're a great option for when you'd like the walking distance convenience of a Central London pub while avoiding the constant crowds in Soho and other famous areas. Not to mention, the area used...

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...

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...

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...

Covent Garden is one of the most famous parts of London, with tens of thousands of tourists wandering its streets every day. Thanks to the constant churn, things can get pretty pricey around these parts, making going out for drinks here a risky proposition, wallet-wise. All's not lost however, as ou...

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...

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...

Tooting boasts a diverse pub scene that perfectly encapsulates this dynamic South London neighbourhood. You'll find a mix of places here, from traditional and modern pubs to craft beer bars and more. Many of the pubs also have interesting historical backgrounds, with several retaining their original...

Shoreditch's central location means many, if not all, of its rooftop bars offer epic views of London's skyline and beyond. Not only that, but this buzzy area is a popular hangout for an artsy crowd, making the bars listed in this guide perfect for soaking up its creative vibe. Plus, it's located clo...

Looking to escape the buzz of the city streets without wandering too far? There's no better way than heading up, quite literally. Our guide to the best rooftop bars near Marylebone rounds up the very best spots to enjoy a cheeky drink, soak up some sun, and take in sweeping views of the city skyline...

Londoners love a trip to the pub and the only way to make a pub better is by attaching a beautiful beer garden. The city’s many beer gardens are often rammed during the summer months but many of us love hanging out in them all year round. If you’re looking for some al fresco drinks with...

A refreshing gin and tonic after a long day at work or on a breezy summer evening is a real treat. The UK's love of gin goes back hundreds of years, with the spirit even named as England's national liquor. There's no shortage of gin bars in London, from classic gin palaces to trendy new spots pushin...

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...

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...

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a pretty big deal if you're a wine aficionado. Falling on the third Thursday of November each year (this year it's the 20th), it's the day when the newest red wine from Beaujolais in the Burgundy region of France is released. Unlike other French wines, it's ready to drink i...

Greenwich is home to a great range of attractions and venues that make it a fab part of the city to live in or visit for the day. There's a thriving pub scene here, too, with a huge range of drinking spots that cater to every preference. From smart gastropubs to down-to-earth boozers, there are load...

Covent Garden might be best known for being a bit of a tourist draw, thanks to its street performers and lively market, but it's also a hot spot for jazz lovers. While some of the clubs in this guide sit right in the heart of Covent Garden, others are just a short stroll away in nearby Soho, one of...

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...

Notting Hill isn't all pastel houses and that famous market, it's also quietly becoming one of London's go-to neighbourhoods for wine lovers. Whether you're after a cute neighbourhood gem for a glass or two with a friend, or a place to explore natural and biodynamic bottles, this guide rounds up the...

With well-heeled patrons walking the streets and the majority of venues more on the high-end side of things, Mayfair isn't really the top choice when it comes to watching live sports in a rowdy setting. Even so, live sports are never too far away in London, and you can find some decent sports bars i...

If you're looking for the best Irish pub in London to sink a pint of the black stuff, you've come to the right place. From whiskey watering holes and toe-tapping trad bars to craic-filled corner pubs, London is full of traditional boozers oozing with Irish charm. Here's our guide to the best pubs in...

If you're trying to catch your team's next big match while out and about in Marylebone, you're in luck – this upscale London neighbourhood has some very nice sports bars with great drinks and even better atmosphere. Read on for our picks for the best sports bars in Marylebone, ranging from tradition...

Central London has a bar on every corner, but not all are worth squeezing into your Friday night plans. Forget the overpriced tourist traps and generic cocktail menus; we've rounded up the spots actually worth your time. From some of the best bars in the world (yes, actual facts) and underground spe...

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, what...

With its reputation for vintage markets, country-like pubs, and quaint romcom charm, you might be wondering whether there are any decent cocktail bars in Notting Hill. We're happy to inform you that not only are there quite a few, some of the best cocktail bars in the world can actually be found rig...