The West End
This plush, tropical-themed cocktail bar is tucked into the decadent surroundings of The Waldorf Hilton. The luxury extends to the menu which is packed…
Must-see nightlife in London
The West End
An unexpected oasis for the weary Covent Garden visitor, Mr Fogg's is a themed throwback to the drinking dens of yore. Taking its name and inspiration…
Richmond, Kew & Hampton Court
This riverside Young’s pub in Barnes was formerly a Masonic lodge. It's huge, traditional and welcoming downstairs, but the temptation in warmer months is…
The West End
This food-friendly wine bar near Charing Cross has a fantastic selection of Old and New World wines, with plenty by the glass and available for takeaway…
Notting Hill & West London
Decorated with sculls, oars and nautical prints, the Old Ship and its shiny, buttoned leather sofas would hardly merit a diversion but for its terrific…
London
The top two floors of the iconic Gherkin skyscraper were once reserved as a private members' club, but now anyone dressed to impress is invited up…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Housed in a building from 1720, this tiny, atmospheric pub covered in wood panelling, delft tiles and scuffed paintwork is the only London dispensary of…
North London
The dictionary definition of a beautiful backstreet boozer, the Engineer is all dark wood, cosy booths and unvarnished tables, and has a hidden garden…
London
Settle into the sleek mod furniture at this hotel bar, where floor-to-double-height-ceiling bookcases and pop-art portraits of the Queen overlook the…
The West End
With a fine array of real ales and some stunning Victorian glazed tiling and pressed-tin ceilings adorning its intimate interior, the Dog & Duck has…
The West End
This chilled Soho spot has managed to stay off the lager-lout radar screen by eschewing outdoor signage. The Pacific bar on the main floor has a long zinc…
The West End
Sitting at the northwestern entrance to the marble-enriched Edwardian pedestrian arcade Sicilian Ave, the Whippet is a snug modern pub with an emphasis on…
North London
One of eight Craft Beer Co locations in London, this lovely pub is riding the wave of the craft-beer craze, pushing the envelope by giving its drinkers a…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This small bar is a craft-beer aficionado's paradise, with BrewDog's usuals on tap, including Punk IPA and Dead Pony Club, plus some of the brewery's…
Kensington & Hyde Park
This vast Victorian corner boozer is delightful inside and out, with some bijou art-nouveau features, contemporary art on the walls, a fabulous coffered…
The West End
Its curved mahogany bar topped with etched-glass ‘snob screens’ (swivelling panels concealing genteel Victorian drinkers from bar staff and other workers)…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
A creative vibe animates this fantastic one-time Victorian warehouse. Book Club hosts DJs and oddball events (neon naked life drawing, speed dating, …
North London
At the bottom of Hampstead Heath hides this gem housed in a 19th-century cottage with a gorgeous beer garden. The interior is wonderfully cosy, with dark…
The West End
This cheery local favourite takes its name from Queen Charlotte, who previously stored food here for her husband George III, during his nearby treatment…
North London
This little cafe just before the entrance to the British Library piazza scores highly on design but even more on its coffee. One of just three London…
The West End
Cool, assured, and expertly staffed, this tiny Soho cafe-bar is perfect for a Negroni (the speciality), house cocktail (mostly £12) or top-notch coffee,…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This simply styled, cosy coffee shop serves top-notch brews that are roasted across the street. Along with the usual options, Nude has rotating single…
London
Workers in London's concrete jungle flock to this two-level garden-style cafe-bar for a restorative dose of greenery (both real and faux) and picnic-table…
North London
Once one of the best places to see unsigned but promising talent, the legendary Bull & Gate’s old-school music venue has metamorphosed into an elegant…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
As its name subtly indicates, Ballie Ballerson is themed on balls. And alcohol, which comes in the form of cocktails. But back to the balls: there are two…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This landmark Victorian pub with large windows and beautiful tiles is perfectly positioned for a pint after exploring Spitalfields Market. The most famous…
Notting Hill & West London
London wouldn’t be what it is without places like NHAC, which mixes underground and retro-music club nights with the odd big pop name. The small basement…
The West End
Ever since opening its doors in 1991, the Village has been up for a party any night of the week. There are karaoke nights, go-go-dancers and DJs on the…
North London
A Camden institution, the black-clad Lock Tavern rocks: it's cosy inside, and it has a rear beer garden and a great roof terrace from where you can watch…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This wood and brick secret basement bar is a refreshingly tongue-in-cheek alternative to a downstairs cocktail-bar scene that can take itself too…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Set atop the Grade II–listed Courthouse Hotel in the centre of Shoreditch, this rooftop bar has fantastic views of London’s skyline. During the week it’s…
Notting Hill & West London
Tread the bare wood floorboards of this roomy bar/cafe in this erstwhile library, and grab a paperback play or two from the dense collection stuffed onto…
North London
This festive boozer is popular with London’s Spanish community and therefore feels quite authentic. Drinks, too, are representative of what you’d find in…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
This no-frills Shoreditch basement venue throws together a pulsing and popular mix of gigs and club nights. It hosts a rotating selection of resident DJs…
Kensington & Hyde Park
When you've shopped your legs off in Knightsbridge, this serenely seductive zone welcomes you into a world of Chinese bird-cage lanterns, subdued lighting…
London
Almost too well hidden down a quiet alleyway parallel to Fleet St, Black Parrot is a surprising plant-filled, rum-obsessed bar that puts a cool London…
Clerkenwell, Shoreditch & Spitalfields
Whisky might not grow on trees, but at Black Rock, it sure grows in them. The centrepiece of this tiny bar is a 5m-long, 185-year-old oak tree that's been…
Kensington & Hyde Park
When your legs are turning to lead traipsing around Harrods, gravitate towards the shop's curvilinear deco-style bar in the Roastery and Bake Hall for…
The West End
Incongruously carved out of a corner of a leisure centre, this branch of a nine-strong chain boasts 15 cask pumps from UK microbreweries, as well as 30…
Notting Hill & West London
A garrulous hubbub frequently spilling from its ivy-clad and port-coloured facade, this Victorian-era pub tempts locals, visitors, foodies and drinkers…
