Cocktails: London's Top 10 Bars
If you have an insatiable appetite for cocktails, then you’re always on the look out for London's best cocktail bars. Fluid London has put together the most comprehensible guide to cocktail bars found in London. Whether you’re looking for that après work cocktail bar, a special place to impress a date on, a touch of old school sophistication, or simply a local bar to relax in, our guide will help point you to the best London bar with the best cocktails.
As a bit of trivia: a “cock” in 19th century America was a tap and the last muddy dregs of the tap was its “tail”. Apparently a certain Colonel Carter in Virginia was served this insult in his local tavern, whereupon he dashed it upon the floor and pronounced “Hereafter I will drink cocktails of my own brewing!” He did just that and concocted up a mix of gin, lemon peel, bitters and sugar – the birth of the cocktail..... or so the story goes....
1
Adventure Bar & Lounge
(Bar)
5 Fernlea Road, London, Balham, London, SW12 9RT
Their bartenders are highly trained to make you the best drinks as quickly as possible whilst entertaining with tricks and banter! Personality isn't hidden but actively encouraged! The drinks themselves are a mixture of high quality cocktails to appeal to any palette, using only premium ingredients. The surroundings are cool, dark and simple but atmospheric with the focus being on you having a great time, every time.
2
The Artesian Well
(Bar / Club)
693 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, Clapham Common, London, SW8 3JF
Cuisine: Italian
Artesian Well is Claphams most unique venue. A pure gem set over three floors, two main dance floors, a VIP room, heated outside smoking area with ample seating and without a doubt the friendliest staff and security in London that make a major difference to your night out! Half price cocktails till 9pm with the best Mojito in town. The venue also comprises a new Crepe and Champagne bar.
3
Barrio Central
(Bar / Restaurant / Club)
6 Poland Street, Soho, Soho, London, W1F 8PS
Cuisine: Latin
Globe trotting beers, new world wines, cocktails from all corners and spirits from across the seas? the drinks menu is organised by regions and the bar tenders excel in giving you a guided tour. Naturally heavy on the rums and premium tequilas and hold regular tasting sessions to show off their ever growing collection. Their signature cocktail, The No Brainer, is a sharing cocktail served in a custom hand-made ceramic mug in the form of a Luchador's (Mexican wrestling) mask - a must have!
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Lost Angel
(Bar / Restaurant)
339 Battersea Park Road, Battersea Park, Battersea, London, SW11 4LS
Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
Battersea - The Lost Angel is a bar, restaurant and boozer, a real neighborhood joint. One of those places where you can come during the week for a bite to eat with the other half, then at the weekend descend on with a group of friends for live music and DJ fun. It's a real chameleon, cocktail masterclasses, fine dinning, real ale along side award winning cocktails, comedy nights, film nights, and the good old pub quiz. One of the best bars south of the river.
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Zebrano
(Bar / Restaurant)
14-16 Ganton Street, near Carnaby Street, Soho, London, W1F 7BT
Cuisine: Eclectic
Zebrano is where London's hip, cool and funky people hang out. For those who want to party till late, their resident and guest Js play the West End's hottest tunes till late in the vibrant basement lounge bar. The expert barmen are renowned for creating the most colourful, potent & best cocktails around.
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Gilt Cocktail Lounge
(Bar / Restaurant / Hotel)
Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, London, SW1X 9PY
Cuisine: Modern International
Belgravia - The interior is highly elegant, designed in seductive shades of cream, gold and black with many bespoke touches and cool urban music playing in the background. The compact list of 10 Champagnes includes Louis Roederer Cristal and there is also a Bellini collection and cocktail list featuring monthly specials. If you are feeling truly decadent, the exquisite Louis XIII and Cuvee Louise Cocktail also comes highly recommended.
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The London Cocktail Club
(Bar / Restaurant / Club)
6-7 Great Newport Street, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JB
Cuisine: British
West End - The London Cocktail Club is a salute to the best of British bartending with a laid-back ambience, a down-to-earth approach and fantastic drinks served right in the heart of London's West End. With its elegant and seductive atmosphere, the ground floor champagne and holding bar is a fantastic place to start your evening. Well-priced pre-theatre cocktails are served during Happy Hour from 5 to 7. A true example of great British hospitality with the best bartenders in the business.
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Asia de Cuba
(Bar / Restaurant / Hotel)
St Martin's Lane Hotel, 45 St. Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2N 4HX
Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
Covent Garden. Asia da Cuba, is designed to titillate all senses. The décor, lighting, atmosphere, selections of rums and fantastic cocktails, and fine dining, are all ingeniously combined to serve up the most sublime evening out. With a fine selection of wines and a sommelier to enlighten you, all that's left is to savour the sensations. An apéritif in the form of a Mojito - rum, sugar and lots of fresh mint and lime - is strongly advised.
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Navajo Joe
(Bar / Restaurant)
34 King Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8JD
Cuisine: Mexican
The bar sports an impressive Cocktail menu and an even more impressive 250 varieties of Tequila. Yes, we said 250! The massive array of bottled spirits lining the back of the bar are broken only by the animated bar staff tossing bottles in the air. One of the best, if not the best, tequila experience in London.
10
The Peacock Bar & Club
(Bar / Club)
148 Falcon Road, Battersea, Clapham, London, SW11 2LW
Cuisine: European
Clapham - The Peacock is Clapham Junction's newest 2am late night bar club but with a twist combining burlesque and cabaret early evening with retro 80s/90's Djs later every Friday & Saturday to create truly awesome club nights. The Peacock boast a world class cocktail list designed by Emiliano Casciello formerly of the Atlantic Bar & Grill & Oxo Tower whose cocktails, including his signature Taj Mahal are as sumptuous and perfectly appointed as he is immodest.
Honourable mentions
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The Loft
(Bar / Restaurant / Club)
67 Clapham High Street, Clapham North, London, SW4 7TG |
Cuisine: Modern European
Clapham - The drinks menu offers a thirst-bustingly wide selection of Andy Campana cocktail creations as well as carefully selected spirits and beers. The team has made some cracking wine selections too - among the reds, the Santsbury pinot noir has the luxurious flavour of dark fruits with the perfect level of tannins to accompany a selection such as steak. The bar staff were even unswervingly accommodating for a companion who wanted a non-alcoholic selection!
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The Cinnamon Club Restaurant
(Restaurant)
The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 3BU |
Cuisine: Indian
Classy drinking in Westminster - welcome to the Cinnamon Club Bar, one of London's finest private cocktail bars, situated inside the Old Westminster Library between Westminster Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.
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Mandarin Bar
(Bar / Restaurant)
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA |
Cuisine: International
Live jazz gives the Mandarin Bar an excellent atmosphere which is only enhanced by the fine cocktails.
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Anam Cocktail Lounge
(Bar)
3 Chapel Market, Islington, London, N1 9EZ |
Cuisine: Bar
Angel. Anam (Gaelic for "life & soul") is a funky cocktail & DJ Bar in the heart of Chapel Market, mixing a blend of soulful uplifting dance music with an exquisite selection of premium spirit-based cocktails. Set over 2 floors, the plush decor of the venue is complemented by the quality music promotions every night of the week, always ensuring an excellent party.
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The Drunken Monkey
(Bar / Restaurant)
222 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6PJ |
Cuisine: Chinese
Chinese Dim Sum meets East End cool in this fantastic example of a restaurant stroke drinking venue with a kicking Oriental twist that makes you want to go back for more and more. Cocktails are superb.
Fluid
(Bar / Restaurant / Club)
40 Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, London, EC1M 6JH |
Cuisine: Japanese
Clerkenwell - Fluid is a funky slice of urban Japan. It?s a popular split-level, late night club-bar, in the heart of Clerkenwell, specializing in fine audibles and mouth-watering edibles. As well as its popularity as a cocktail and sushi bar, with its 4am license, Fluid is ideally situated in the heart of every 25-35 year olds ?club land.? Live bands, short films and multi-media exhibitions also find a forum here.
Bob Bob Ricard
(Bar / Restaurant)
1 Upper James Street, Soho, London, W1F 9DF |
Cuisine: English
Soho - Opened at the end of 2008 Bob Bob Ricard is an English restaurant and late night cocktail bar in the heart of Soho. The cocktails are some of the best but aren't cheap, but you're paying for the style as well!
Long Bar
(Bar / Hotel)
Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners Street, Noho, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 3NG |
The Long Bar is relentlessly popular, seething with atmosphere and quality cocktails, so if you're planning a trip, arrive early, stay late, and make sure your bank balance is sufficiently healthy!
Whisky Mist at Zeta
(Bar / Hotel)
The Hilton Hotel, 35 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 7SD |
Cuisine: Modern Eclectic
The cocktails on offer are only the best quality at the Zeta Bar, with a tasty selection of gins from around the world and the food is as you would expect from the Hilton.