This is where our extremely helpful list of London’s best cocktail bars comes in handy. Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush). All of the cocktails here are great—from classic espresso martinis and mezcal Old Fashioneds, to a grasshopper that’s everything you want in a boozy milkshake. But once inside, you’ll find a dark wooden space, comfy leather couches, and some great small plates and drinks—which isn’t a big surprise since this comes from the team behind Union and Lardon.
Though we love a good pub as much as the next Londoner, sometimes you want to go to a place where the drinks are great and the Instagram snaps are even better. From stunning streets to radiant restaurants, there are picture-worthy spots around every corner. A Pepino Caliente is their take on a classic margarita, featuring mezcal, chilli liqueur and cucumber, while their Garden Gimlet with vodka, rye, Suze, basil and tomato is their ‘remix’ of a dirty martini. The second iteration of the beloved Dalston drinking spot, bringing bold boozing to Soho. Instead, sit back and soak up their now-signature hip hop soundtrack while you sip on an impressive cast of cocktails made by their truly expert bar team; recent concoctions include a Shark Attack with vodka and a secret sour mix.
The golden-hued house martini is a stunningly good deal at $13, but don’t miss the elegant highball ($15), a rosy, millennial-pink concoction of tequila, fizzy grapefruit soda and “salty cassis air.” — Kiki Aranita Think grilled peach syrup balancing bourbon, allspice, and lemon in the Movin’ to the Country, or cucumber-infused tequila that’s the base for Tequila is Mah Lady, which gets lit up by lime oleo saccharum. The Bozzelli (gin, Cocchi Americano aperitif, Galliano, lime, chili) is the go-to for spicy cocktail lovers, while the Molino is a tall, frothy, overproof rye-powered amaretto sour. If you are (or know) a member of South Philly’s most celebrated social club, you are likely deeply familiar with its time-tested cocktails, which seldom change up — and have no need to. That there’s usually a line, but it moves briskly.
Gas Street Social
Charlotte heats up with a destination seafood spot, sushi cellar, and an instant-hit neighborhood wine bar Billed as a hotel bar to rival the greats (though, without a hotel), Bellerose is the sister restaurant to newcomer Sushi Bar. Expect lots of bubbles and zebra print furniture in a dimly lit space. The group behind rooftop Tulum-inspired bar Ritual recently opened an opulent ode to champagne and caviar called Madison Maison. The intimate space is a respite from the bustling crowds outside. The happening neighborhood hang offers a dialed-in drink menu with a Calabrian chili dirty martini, a cherry Negroni, and a yuzu margarita.
Our food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. Serving elevated bar snacks in moody marble surrounds, this teeny 25-seater space serves up premium wines and spirits, with a focus on martinis. Be sure to take advantage of their bottomless margarita and margherita deal καταλογος κοκτειλ on Thursday nights for just $59.
Clover Club, Cobble Hill
- Spend a night in the Caribbean at this CBD spot, tasting from a selection of more than 250 rums.
- Enjoy a cocktail on the sultry New Orleans–inspired patio, take in a drag show, or try to one-up each other at karaoke night.
- Lani covers restaurants in the Bay Area, Barcelona, Paris, Mexico City, Madrid, and more.
- “A baroque burlesque performer hands you an ornate crystal glass behind the bar and a scent rises, a pearl bursts, and suddenly, you’re not just watching Company XIV.
- Cleverly named and gorgeously designed to look like the luxurious cabin of a 1970s jumbo jet, this immersive, airplane-themed cocktail lounge has been a hit from the moment it landed in sister restaurant Wren & Wolf in November 2024.
Head to the back alley behind the restaurant (follow the lanterns) to find the new Bar Đêm. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 10 p.m., Dzô Viet Eatery transforms from a casual, modern Vietnamese restaurant into a sultry speakeasy illuminated by strings of colourful lanterns. A few real-life holograms are scattered around the bar, a red rancor head emerges from the wall (a nod to the larger versions at Storm Crow Manor) and laser blasters lean against liquor bottles, but the decor isn’t overdone. Brilliant blue and purple LEDs line the walls, and flat-screen TVs display dazzling interstellar vistas in an effort to make you feel like you’re among the stars. But dive into the poetic and beautifully illustrated menu at this Bloordale Village locale, and you’ll find inventive ingredients like toasted coconut cachaça and cacao nib bourbon jumping right off of the page.
And while spots like this often phone it in on the food front, at Poolhouse, it’s just as strong as the activity – particularly the bao buns and fried Korean cauliflower. This little speakeasy is a perfect date night spot nestled in the heart of Soho. For the ultimate date spot, head downstairs beneath the underground arches and bond over how the surroundings once were Charles Dickens' office. There’s a different DJ manning the decks every night too, meaning you’re always in for a musical surprise. From energising and uplifting to soothing and serene, each drink tells its own unique story. We love their signature punch and their disco ball sharer cocktails.
In 2024 alone, it was named one of the top bars by Food & Wine and nabbed the number two spot for the World’s Best 50 Bars North America—and for good reason. Plus our 360-degree bar is here to quench any thirst, anytime. Our stellar line-up of award-winning and beloved chefs is ready to feed you over classic burgers, chargrilled kebabs, Caribbean patties and so much more.
The Minneapolis bar, which you can find thanks to a lone red light above a basement door, is a haven for cocktail lovers who appreciate something a little off-kilter. The cocktail menu includes classics like the Aviation or Boulevardier, but there are also house drinks like the Lakeshore Lemonade made with Maker's Mark or a spicy bourbon sidecar with Woodford Reserve. One option is the Firestarter made with Madre mezcal, green bell pepper, Thai basil, Strega, Falernum, lemon, salt and pepper tincture, and fire water. It's the epitome of the time, from the decor to the drinks to the supper club menu. The warm, welcoming environment will entice you, but the tasty cocktails and knowledgeable bar staff will encourage you to linger and cement this place as one of your new favorite bars.