Home to the freshest cocktail trends, the finest hospitality and the most experimental drinks, London is widely considered the world's capital city of mixology. Here, Andrea Strafile takes you through his pick of the best cocktail bars in London today, divided into the two strands of London's bars: cocktail bars and hotel bars.
Raise your martini coupes: we're off on an exciting voyage!
Raise your martini coupes: we're off on an exciting voyage!
Cocktail bars
Tayēr + Elementary, Old Street
You don't just happen to find yourelf in this bar; you go there on purpose. There are two sides to Tayēr+Elementary, one fast, friendly and cool and the other darker where you must focus on what you're drinking. This is not just the second best bar in the world according to the World's 50 Best Bars, but a true hotbed of experimentation with ingredients and techniques that dictate the trends of the moment.
The bartenders Alex Kratena and Monica Berg are two treasure troves full of ideas and their drinks have flavours that you may never have even experienced before. Elementary with its fresh cocktails winking at the classic ones – with a hint of originality – is the prelude to Tayēr, Monica's bar lab where the cocktails change weekly and explore fresh ingredients from around the world in every possible way. So, if what you are looking for is a real taste experience in a cocktail bar, this is THE place to go.
The bartenders Alex Kratena and Monica Berg are two treasure troves full of ideas and their drinks have flavours that you may never have even experienced before. Elementary with its fresh cocktails winking at the classic ones – with a hint of originality – is the prelude to Tayēr, Monica's bar lab where the cocktails change weekly and explore fresh ingredients from around the world in every possible way. So, if what you are looking for is a real taste experience in a cocktail bar, this is THE place to go.
Bar Termini, Soho
In Soho, a passing point for anyone wandering through London's shopping streets, located next to the lights of a sex shop (which hides a fine dining restaurant), there’s a "T" sign in the style of Italian tobacconists that beckons you into Bar Termini. This is an Italian bar the likes of which you don't even see in Italy. Small, cosy, always lively and ready to serve a few but perfect classic-ish cocktails.
Ordering a Negroni in a coupe here is a must, but the Garibaldi (Campari and orange juice) and the espresso coffee – which is made from specially selected Arabica coffee – are also worth a try. The espresso is strictly to finish with a little bit of Italian grappa. Don't be afraid to walk-in – the friendly staff here are magic at always finding you a seat.
Ordering a Negroni in a coupe here is a must, but the Garibaldi (Campari and orange juice) and the espresso coffee – which is made from specially selected Arabica coffee – are also worth a try. The espresso is strictly to finish with a little bit of Italian grappa. Don't be afraid to walk-in – the friendly staff here are magic at always finding you a seat.
Amaro Bar, Kensington High Street
If you're anywhere near South Kensington and you get a sudden craving for a cocktail, the talented bunch at Amaro are on it. A top-notch, intimate bar that takes its inspiration from Italian bitters to serve classic cocktails made with the latest mixology techniques. A destination for those looking for creative and very, very sexy drinks. In a very, very sexy place.
Untitled, Dalston
In the very heart of East London is a bar with no name and no schemes. A central communal table, a room with a few small tables and a small courtyard with a false moon make you realise this is a temple of minimal, contemporary art. Here you can sample the strangest flavours you've ever heard of: a drink that tastes like snowflakes, one that tastes like spring rain in an English countryside and finally a drink that tastes like the moon. Impressive.
Hotel Bars
The Connaught Bar, Mayfair
The Connaught Bar is without doubt one of the most beautiful hotel bars in the world, and perhaps the most iconic. In the heart of central Mayfair, this is the place to immerse yourself in classic London elegance. Every detail here is expertly taken care of, from the soft, dark lighting and the tables to the service to, of course, the cocktails.
Indulge in Martini cocktails poured from vertiginous heights, but don't forget to explore the creativity of the drink list at one of the best bars on the planet. Agostino, Giorgio, Maura and the whole team are icons of hospitality who ensure you always leave the bar with a smile.
Indulge in Martini cocktails poured from vertiginous heights, but don't forget to explore the creativity of the drink list at one of the best bars on the planet. Agostino, Giorgio, Maura and the whole team are icons of hospitality who ensure you always leave the bar with a smile.
Lyaness, Southbank
Located in Southwark, Lyaness is one of the most spectacular cocktail bars in London and beyond. Set on the ground floor of the ultra-modern Sea Container hotel, the bar’s huge windows offer views of the River Thames, the lights of London's cityscape as well as some of the oldest buildings, including St Paul’s.
Lyaness is the most modern of hotel cocktail bars and the drinks are pure creativity. The atmosphere is welcoming thanks to a friendly lounge service and the menu's easy, accessible flavours. The advice here is to follow bartenders' suggestions, because they know how to find the right cocktail for you. Our advice, on the other hand, is to try the Gimlet made with oyster powder honey: we promise you won’t regret it.
Lyaness is the most modern of hotel cocktail bars and the drinks are pure creativity. The atmosphere is welcoming thanks to a friendly lounge service and the menu's easy, accessible flavours. The advice here is to follow bartenders' suggestions, because they know how to find the right cocktail for you. Our advice, on the other hand, is to try the Gimlet made with oyster powder honey: we promise you won’t regret it.
Artesian Bar, Regent Street
The Langham Hotel is said to be the first hotel in London where the traditional 5pm tea was first publicly served. You can imagine then the level of attention one gets at the Artesian Bar. The perfect place to meet all kinds of people, it is generally easy to go in to the Artesian Bar for an aperitif and come out after dinner.
A mixology hotspot for years, there is no bar in London that makes you feel at the same time immersed in the city's history as well as the fast-moving contemporary scene. Flavours, presentation, hospitality: everything here is made to take you away from the daily grind to the purest relaxation.
A mixology hotspot for years, there is no bar in London that makes you feel at the same time immersed in the city's history as well as the fast-moving contemporary scene. Flavours, presentation, hospitality: everything here is made to take you away from the daily grind to the purest relaxation.
NoMad, Covent Garden
NoMad is one of those newly designed hotels that combine classic English charm with fresh, uncluttered bar service. Here the choice is not just for one bar, but two: Side Hustle and Common Decency. The first is a strange but clever mix of dark design and Mexican vibrancy resulting in an unexpectedly good agave bar.
The second, Common Decency, which has just been refurbished, is a subterranean bar where the cocktails are hyper-seasonal and always riffs on classic cocktails. The communal spaces make you want to meet new people and let loose to the music as though this were a small, elegant club in the centre of Covent Garden.
The second, Common Decency, which has just been refurbished, is a subterranean bar where the cocktails are hyper-seasonal and always riffs on classic cocktails. The communal spaces make you want to meet new people and let loose to the music as though this were a small, elegant club in the centre of Covent Garden.
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