The best cocktail bars in London for summer 2022 (and beyond)
In urgent need? Scroll straight down for our top pick of London's best cocktail bars… we won't be offended.
It's not that we've got anything against a glass of wine, or even a humble yet refreshing pint of beer, but there's something about a cocktail – particularly in the summer months – that really gets us going.
Whether you're a fan of sweet concoctions that come in a tall glass with half a fruit salad floating around in it or something more sultry to sip on – hello, smoky Old Fashioned, we love you – the capital's cocktail bars have something for everyone, every taste and every occasion – and, to be honest, a lot of quirky options besides.
Whether you're a fan of a tipple that comes with all the bells and whistles attached or just a straight-up, ‘does what it says on the tin’ option, there's a bar hidden somewhere within the busy streets of the city to suit – and we've taken the time to properly research the best ones (well, someone had to do it).
Below you'll find the creme-de-la-creme of London's cocktail scene – we promise you'll never go thirsty again.
Oh, and if you want to feel the fresh air on your face, we've also rounded up the best rooftop bars in London. There's something for everyone!
Tattu London
Already a favourite among the IT crowds of Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds, Tattu has just opened it's London bar and restaurant and it is one of the most Instagrammable settings we've seen in a while. Known for its exquisite modern Chinese food, the brand's latest venture boasts an extensive drinks list in a sultry atmosphere, including their Fruit Mountain Tea (Tanqueray, peach and peony) and the Peep Show Royale (champagne, mango and passion fruit).
Tattu London, The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark St, London WC2H 0LA
Swift Addie Chin 2018 / addiechinn.comSwift
Follow the young, fashion-forward and impeccably well-heeled Londoner's and fledgling love-birds looking for a spot to curl up in on an early date, and you'll likely be led to Swift. The bar, which has won more than 15 awards and was voted the 57th best bar in the WORLD back in 2020, is split over two floors – with a casual, mirror-clad bar on the ground floor and a sultry lounge below. The inventive cocktail menu includes quirky drinks inspired by well-known names – for example the Snoop Dogg is a mix of Absolut Vodka, riesling, yuzu, coconut and lemon – as well as an expansive whisky list and high-end snacks including oysters and Guinness Welsh rarebit.
Swift, 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ
Tayer + Elementary
The bartenders at this Old Street bar mean business, as do the interiors, which are split into two distinctive areas: Tayer and then, yep you guessed it, Elementary. It's the dual partnership of Monica Berg (whose last bar was Oslo’s Himkok, No.19 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list) and Alex Kratena, whose last bar was London’s own Artesian, so basically, you're in pretty damn capable hands. The drinks are all pre-made and on-tap, starting at a pretty affordable £7.50 (well, this is London, after all). We're particular fans of the Old Fashioned made with Danish rye whisky, house-made Aquavit, and cedarwood; or the satisfyingly slushy-like Frozen Coffee with rum, coffee liqueur, and coconut milk.
It's worth noting that you can't book in advance so you might not want to chance it if you're short on time, but it's worth the wait if you're on a slightly more leisurely schedule.
Tayer + Elementary, 152 Old St, London EC1V 9BW
Oriole
Below the streets of Farringdon and hidden away behind an unassuming door in the middle of the famous meat market, Oriole feels like stepping back in time to the glamorous, yet dangerous, days of the 1920s prohibition. Cocktails are served in everything and anything from bird cages to decadent dishes for you to ladle the concoction into your own cup, expect colours, classy combinations and zero compromise on taste even with all the pomp and flair that your drink is served with. A menu of small bites is available and a live jazz band can often be found ramping up the atmosphere and adding to the yesteryear theme.
Oriole, East Poultry Ave, London EC1A 9LH
smokeykudu / InstagramSmokey Kudu
The owners behind the hit Peckham restaurant Kudu have now opened their own chic cocktail bar, nestled under the arches by Queens Road station. The small but perfectly-formed drinks list includes 15 different cocktails with subtle South African influences (we particularly love The Perske Boom, a blend of Mezcal, Peach Liqueur, Pink Grapefruit, Cumin and Bitters) and a couple of snacks to keep you going, such as biltong (a dried meat snack popular across the country). Sleek and intimate, Smokey Kudu revolves around a central horseshoe bar with a sky-high back bar set against an arched mirror geometrically framed with dark oak wood. Peep the two-metre high chandelier hanging over the bar and tell us that your interiors goals haven't just been elevated.
Smokey Kudu, Arch 133 Queens Road, London SE15 2ND
Jason BaileyHomeboy
Ever heard the phrase, “all the luck of the Irish"? Well Homeboy in Islington is about all the drinks of them instead, offering modern Irish hospitality and pairing friendly charm with moreish cocktails and approachable traditional food. Aaron Wall and Ciarán Smith, the bars owners, cut their teeth at London Cocktail Club, The Dorchester and Waldorf Astoria NYC to name a few and their first bar venture offers a good time, and a good tipple, on tap. It's giving Coyote Ugly vibes, just in Islington, rather than New York.
Homeboy, 108 Essex Rd, London N1 8LX
satans_whiskers / InstagramSatan's Whiskers
This unassuming Bethnal Green bar, complete with a bizarre collection of taxidermy, vintage booze posters and a much-lauded hip-hop soundtrack, has actually been voted one of London's best classic cocktail bars. The drinks here are all fresh produce, good ice and strong spirits (both the liquid and the personality kind). The daily changing menu is simple, stylish and drinks are a masterclass in how to the classic cocktail really, really well: think ice-cold Manhattans, fizzy French 75s and balanced Jungle Birds. We're sold.
Satan's Whiskers, 343 Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9RA
Quaglino’s
Quaglino’s Aperitivo menu is next to none. With its very own Aperitivo counter inspired by Quaglino’s Italian born founder Giovanni Quaglino, the Aperitivo cocktail menu is bursting with original flavours, mixtures and fresh ingredients. From Oregano infused Belvedere, Rucola infused Tanqueray and even Moscato Grappa infused with strawberries, honey AND blood orange, these Aperitiv’s are the classy sibling of the classic cocktail. Beware, with drinks this good your Aperitivo might just go on a little longer than the famous Italian tradition promotes. Saluti! Any order from the Aperitivo menu is accompanied by complimentary snacks from the Aperitivo Bar...yes, really. These authentic Italian treats consist of bites such as a charcuterie platter, feta stuffed peppers, arancini and even more mouth-watering options from the internationally loved Italian cuisine.
Quaglino's, 16 Bury Street, London SW1Y 6A
Madison
Boasting a collection of the best sprits, Maddison serves a cocktail menu inspired by America’s colourful cocktail history. Half the archaic menu honours six infamous cocktail classics in their original form including Al Capone’s personal favourite from the 30’s, ‘The Southside’. The other half is compiled of six contemporary twists on the golden oldies such as, the ‘Maple & Almond Sour’ - the sweeter sister of the 19th century original the Whisky Sour. Residing in the heart of the city, during the week the crowd is bustling with trendy, young colleagues looking to let off some steam from the work week with a pre-weekend tipple. But the weekend is where Madison really comes alive.
Madison, St Pauls, London, EC4M 9AF
100 Wardour Street
These quirky twists on the classic cocktail are packed full of flavours which will take guests back in time but with surprising kicks of the modern cocktail. With four nostalgically themed menus crowned with names like ‘Disco Fever’ and ‘Back to the Future’, they are all served in various futuristic ways such as a test tube or a syringe, making every cocktail a fun experience! From its vegan/vegetarian menu to its fish and meat options, 100 Wardour street has something for everyone. However, it’s the teaser menu that offers real variety with its modern twist on classic snacks, (yes, the quirky twists don’t stop at the drinks) such as the fried courgettes & parmesan replacing plain old fries and its butter bean & siracha dip with sesame seed crackers which could knock any guac and chips out the park. Trendy central Londoners looking for a fun twist on the classic cocktail catch-up.
100 Wardour Street, 100 Wardour St, Soho, London
Avenue
So creative! Half of the menu celebrates five mystical animals in Asian tradition and the other half is influenced by the classical elements of fire, air, land, water and aether from Latin American mythologies. The Vermillion Bird cocktail pictured above oozes Summer vibes. The explosive new Avenue menu offering Asian ingredients and fiery South American flavours. Say goodbye to eggs royal and treat yourself to something more indulgent such as a deliciously rich lobster mac ‘n' cheese or kimchee burger.
Avenue, 7-9 St James's St, St. James's, London SW1A 1EE
.jpg)
