Akbar

77 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 3SH

The first thing about Akbar that hits you is the smell, and we mean that in the nicest possible way. There are the Mughal Court spices from the Red Fort restaurant, the potent herbs used in the cocktails, scented oils … Continue reading

Apartment 195

195 Kings Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 5ED

Getting buzzed in through the large black door of Apartment 195 is rather alluring, like being allowed entry to a secret spanking club, although it’s just to protect the Sloaney clientele from any undesirables. The stairs open out onto a … Continue reading

Barrio Central

6 Poland Street, Soho, London, W1F 8PS

Barrio Central is a cocktail bar, kitchen and basement club located in the heart of London’s Soho, minutes from Oxford Circus. The brainchild of globetrotting entrepreneur and music fanatic, Ferdie Ahmed, Barrio Central combines the spirit of community and collaboration … Continue reading

Brasserie Max

10 Monmouth Street, London, WC2H 9HB

In the heart of theatreland and mere footsteps from Seven Dials, lies the grand dame of hotel bars. Sweeping into Brasserie Max is like stepping into a period drama – the prim, straight-backed chairs are neatly set around little tables, … Continue reading

Bünker

41 Earlham Street, London, WC2 9LD

Beneath the butterbean croquettes and tofu shakes of Neal’s Yard, the vast Bünker bierhall is whooping it up, buzzing as always with office workers making a healthy din over a Beastie Boys soundtrack. It’s a sociable sort of a joint … Continue reading

Crazy Bear

198 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JL

Down a quiet street in Fitzrovia Crazy Bear is a new venue on a mission to challenge our preconceptions of oriental restaurants. A stylish ground floor dining room with a gorgeous cocktail bar on the basement level, the Crazy Bear … Continue reading

Doon

66 Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS

A hidden gem in the heart of Central London, this sexy, underground late night venue is just ‘doon the stairs’ from Albannach, the unique Scottish themed restaurant and bar in Trafalgar Square. Doon is just the kind of bar we … Continue reading

Freud

198 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JL

While it may sound like a highly polished, cerebral kind of a haunt, Freud is in fact a bare-bones drinking den in a Covent Garden basement that’s small on creature comforts but big on spirit. When the modest seating runs … Continue reading

Graphic

4 Golden Square, Soho, London, W1F 9HT

Graphic, in the heart of Soho, has got to be the best gin bar in the world. With over 65 gins on offer (yes some that even we have never seen before) it’s a paradise for the juniper inclined. The … Continue reading

Hush

8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, London, W1S 1EY

This aptly named den is tucked away in a cobbled labyrinth of alleys behind the Mayfair boutiques. Formerly a celebrity haunt, the bar is now a hush-hush favourite with a late 20s/early 30s crowd, and when things get going it’s … Continue reading

Momo

Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1C 1JT

More of a pleasure pitstop than a cocktail bar, Momo is perfect for combining the twin pleasures of shopping and drinking. Deep in the heart of Selfridges (second floor, actually!), it’s a sudden square of Moorish decadence, designed by the … Continue reading

Oxo Tower Bar

Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH

Perched on top of this famous South Bank landmark with its distinctive Oxo branding, the Oxo Tower Bar is one of London’s most glamorous settings and the perfect spot to enjoy the long evenings as the clocks go back. After … Continue reading

Portobello Star

171 Portobello Road, London, W11 2DY

The first London outpost of the team who conquered Leeds with such iconic bars as Angel’s Share, Jake’s and Oporto, The Portobello Star is the bar everyone’s now talking about. Headed up by the renowned Jake Burger (see Gintime Feature) … Continue reading

Purl

50/54 Blandford Street Marylebone, London W1U 7HX

Purl London is a brand new cocktail bar in Marylebone that is the life long ambition of cocktail maestros Bryan Pietersen, Tristan Stephenson, Thomas Aske and Matt Whiley. Atmospheric décor with lots of lovely leather sofas and a deliberately retro … Continue reading

Ronnie’s Bar

47 Frith Street, Soho, London, W1D 4HT

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club is a Soho institution and the newly revamped members only Ronnie’s Bar upstairs takes its inspiration from the Jacques Garcia designed Black Bar at the Hôtel Costes in Paris. Think leopard skin, full on 1930s glamour … Continue reading

Salt Bar

82 Seymour Street, London, W2 2JB

Right in the heart of central London is this speakeasy lounge style Whisky and Cocktail bar. Salt Bar and Dining Room is known throughout London for its astonishing range of whiskies and bourbons – over 200 at the last count. … Continue reading

The Club Bar and Dining

21-22 Warwick Street, London, W1B 5NE

Bar of the Month winner The Club Bar and Dining Located at what used to be the Sugar Club in the easy to navigate part of Soho, The Club Bar and Dining has an informal bar and dining room on … Continue reading

The Connaught Bar

16 Carlos Place, London, W1K 2AL

In the frightfully regal area behind Green Park, the Savoy Group has established its “modern country house in Mayfair”. While it’s fair to say the faultlessly courteous staff would frown upon any swinging from the chandeliers, everything else will be … Continue reading

The Lonsdale

48 Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, London, W11 2DE

The Lonsdale, in uber trendy Notting Hill, is firmly established as one of London’s top cocktail destinations. Not surprising as the boxes virtually tick themselves: check adventurous décor, an accessible location, great food and drinks to die for. Maestro Dick … Continue reading

The Opera Quarter Bar

3 Tavistock St, London, WC2E 7PA

The Opera Quarter Bar is a temporary pop up venue from renowned cocktail maestro Douglas Ankrah whose ambition was to set up the best bar in the world, showcasing the world’s leading bartenders – a must see for bar connoisseurs, … Continue reading

The Player

8 Broadwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 8HN

One of Soho’s best kept secrets The Player is part of the Match Bar Group and one of a chain of private members clubs including the famed Milk and Honey just round the corner. But the good news is that … Continue reading