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The Savoy's American Bar was named Best Bar in the World at the 12th Annual Spirited Awards.
The awards, which took place at the world-renowned New Orleans Tales of the Cocktail Festival, earned him the prestigious award, as well as the Best International Hotel Bar and the Best International Bar Team.
American Bar Director, Declan McGurk, said: "This is an incredible achievement and a real tribute to all members of our team, who work so hard and so collaboratively to ensure the success of the Savoy's American Bar. " [19659004BuildingforThreeMoneyThisbaranomméMaximSchulteaupostedebarmanetreportedthebestmoonweekfrom50thworldworldof2017
This year, the bar launched a cocktail menu entitled Every Moment Tells A Story. drinks inspired by the portraits of cultural icons of photographer Terry O Neill, who adorn the walls of the bar
The best bars of London
1/48 Scarfes Bar in Rosewood London [19659007] 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN, rosewoodhotels.com/london
The Rosewood is doubly wonderful for the drinkers because they have two beautiful places. In the modern dining room, sit down at the gin bar, which stands out everywhere else in London, with more than 400 gins and 27 tonics. Trying to ch oose is impossible, but what a beautiful impossibility to have. The bar staff clearly had a tasting session as they thoroughly know the list. On the other side is Scarfes Bar, a brilliant and brilliant bar, happily rid of all the congestion that is usually found in the hotel bars. The drinks are superb, they often have live music, it becomes wonderfully busy and it cracks to laugh. Go a little later and it's busier, people drink more, everything is better.
2/48 American Bar
As its name suggests, it's a classic American bar, and made almost perfectly . You can become very fond of American Bar and very quickly: through Piccadilly Circus, it acts like a magnet – a fast negroni becomes an impossible temptation to resist. This is a very beautiful place that evokes the great Parisian hotels of the 20s and 30s, the bottles that flash of the bar, the staff who floats with their ornaments and their liters of charm. You are here to drink the classics: they have a clover club killer and a straight-down-the-line Manhattan. But ask: the bartenders know their stuff and bring their A-game to any challenge – tell them what you love, and they'll bring you something new. They often have specials on, as well. Top marks for the caring staff, bringing lots of water and a bowl after the bowl of popcorn – the two essentials after a few here
3/48 Oriole
The team behind Nightjar took their winning formula, rocked a bit and created Oriole. They have live music throughout the week – from Wednesday to Saturday, there is a charge per person, so watch out for that – giving a night here a bit of zip. It's a strictly seated place, so be sure to book: once inside, it's a world tour, with beautiful details from all over the world, both in style and drinks … and much cheaper than booking a vacation. The drinks are excellent, whether you are in the classics of New Orleans or in the depths of Asia: explore the menu (divided into Old World, New World and East) and wait for something unusual and slightly shiny, with a touch of Tiki. In other words, Oriole is ideal if you prefer to drink in a crystal goblet, a cup of tea or a silver crocodile.
4/48 Works for Piano
All the merit of this fun place of Farringdon: they worked hard to make the world famous. Place getting better since the opening, which is pretty good for what was already a good starting point. The Piano Works sounds like a tranquil jazz bar, but it's rather a home of sounds of hell, beautifully raucous, where a band of house takes requests and belt your favorite songs. The more you get involved, the more fun it is, and the place warms up later. The wine starts at £ 16, the house cocktails are £ 8, but they have tons of great deals during the week – including cocktails for a fiver (!!) Drink a lot, dance a lot and leave early in the morning with someone you should not do. That's what we did.
5/48 Hawksmoor, Spitalfields
It's no surprise that the bar snacks are a highlight here – have the nuggets of oxchek with a side of fries, then call the server to order them again – given the quality of the steak on the floor. The drinks and the setting, however, correspond to them pound for pound. The old tiles on the walls, the beautiful parquet floors, the copper tops and the black silver ceiling make the big space a place to settle for the night, no matter your seat, while the cocktails come with heaps The new menu features homemade bitter, shrubs and syrups, and it's obvious that everyone behind the bar is more than a little nerdy about building drinks. Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew is the classic, so do it, but keep going with Shadow Boxer, a mix of Scotch, Sherry and Fernet-Branca. Odd, strangely delicious. It's also a cracking place to sit for a bottle of wine.
6/48 Andrew Edmunds
Perhaps better than before, Andrew Edmunds recently won the "The Good Drinking" award at the awards ceremony of our restaurants. reason. It's a small, narrow place to the point that coming here to a first date feels like you're really ahead, with the best tables on the floor and not much to watch – just to be distracted by someone beautiful. The food, French-ish / English-ish, is good, but it's the wine that is extraordinary. And you are here for wine: forget the cocktails, they did it. Which list, and so discreetly tagged that you get a flight with almost every bottle – indeed, the more expensive, the better the case. It's been 30 years since those who knew old Soho say it's one of the last bastions of this stuff. Drink too much wonderful wine and come back often.
7/48 The Connaught Bar
A bar for the incredibly beautiful, bar of high heels and sparkling lights, perfume and leather. Aside from the strangely pounding music, the Connaught is wonderfully detached from the world – a place that is clean, cozy and warm in winter when it needs to be, light and summer when desired. The drinks, naturally expensive, are well laid out and although of a classic tone, come from the theater crunches: washes in perfume bottles, branches like trimmings, smoke, fate. Still, the martini cart is what they are famous for, so it's just to indulge. Then, go to the Champagne room: unfortunately, the law ceases to be cigar paradise, but it is still beautiful: romantic and charming with its fireplace, spectacular with its glass ceiling and swan sculpture. Treat yourself to the white Ruinart of white. Damned good olives, also
8/48 Milk and honey
You know that a bar is good when local bartenders l & 39; love, and Milk & Honey has long been a favorite of Soho for those who know. Hidden in the sight of all, this great bar has been proven for 15 years. The talent has not diminished, and the care has not been put in the drinks either. The cocktails are strong and appropriate and fortunately they are updating the list soon to refresh things. At around £ 10 a drink, M & H is also a bargain for central London, and the quality exceeds the price. It works as a membership bar, but non-members can book until 11 pm – although going earlier in the week means that you are more likely to score a table. Milk and honey are civilized without the overwhelming formality. Next door is the Blind Pig, another "hidden" place.
9/48 Mark Bar
The Bad: You Might Not Enter. If it's busy, they do not press people in that basement, either be there early, or kiss them with charm, or dazzle them with your brilliant mind. We joke: just take someone hot. Good: just about everything else. Naturally, the bar's snacks are deliciously tasty, but the list of drinks is excellent, and unusual too, with some historical recipes brought back to life. The attention to detail is everything here, so if you do not share one of the big old Chesterfields, head to the bar and sit back and look – there is something about it, that is Is like seeing a cardmaster spinning rounds. And have a Hix Fix, just to say …
10/48 The Beaufort Bar and the Savoy American Bar
Glitz, glamorous and a lot of gold: the two bars of Savoy are wonderfully opulent. The famous American bar, recently renovated, is still one of the best bars of our humble planet. The Bartenders' Bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock, was written here, and the cocktails served today remain as well tuned as they have always been. While other bars are trying to recreate the glamor of these places, the Savoy does not need to pretend: everything is authentic. The magnificent Beaufort is an absurd romance, and the drinks are extravagantly presented: it is suitable for all special occasions, and Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway have everything to do. If you plan on drinking a few drinks, be rich or grab some of the rich – seriously.
11/48 Artesian
Artesian Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale, who led the team for eight years and earned its reputation as the world's best bar, have been rewarded. They have unfortunately left, but they have left the place in good hands, and the feeling is always the same, classy, glamorous and not taking themselves too seriously. While the beautiful and the wealthy rub shoulders, the bartenders mix excellent drinks but often a little silly – but it's their mischief that makes them so winners. Seriously impressive.
12/48 The Company of Supernatural Wines
Call it CVS and your night becomes considerably easier to pronounce. Sitting at Neil's Yard, it's one of London's best wine bars. Of course French, of course: New World wines have a hard time taking a lateral look, while even the best in Italy do not just add a little room to the menu . This does not mean that there is a lack of choice – on the contrary, it is almost overwhelming, although they have a short list by the glass, and the charming staff are both knowledgeable and passionate about what he must have. In summer, sit outside in the winter at the bar. Wherever you are, try the mysterious wine; If you guess, you'll win a bottle. Have food – small plates made to share, and terribly good – and drink a lot, so that the ticket does not hit as hard.
13/48 The Shrub & Shutter
This Brixton bar felt new in the area, taking some of the l & # 39; East of London and bringing it back to the south. They have a pleasingly patchwork patchwork approach: there are pots and bottles and shakers everywhere, which gives the place a cooking feel. The cocktails, delicious to drink alone, are enhanced with food, which is designed to match what you drink. The chords first ring a little gimmicky – crayfish with vodka, venison on the side of "The Deerhunter" (an old fashioned, basically) – but they work, so skip this skeptical trail for a moment. There are many people, so book, arrive early and stay late. They have a license until 3am, so it would be rude not to do it
14/48 Sky Pod at Sky Garden
In truth, you come for the sight, but good God it's a magnificent sight, and 360 degrees to it. Up to 35 floors, if you can think of a London icon, you can probably see it. When the weather is nice, go outside to get fresh air. With a totally free entrance and a minimum of security, it is worth making a reservation, but if you are allowed to queue, they will let you in. The cocktails are cheap, at around £ 11.50, and are very nice – the cognac – The chocolate-toffee-port mix that is black and gold is particularly good – so it does not have the impression of depend on the sites.
There is a special occasion feeling, and even more so with live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They also hope for jazz on Wednesday. If you are tempted to eat, Fenchurch and Darwin Brewery are worth trying – Fenchurch is especially good for vegetables.
15/48 The Gilbert Scott
Given the golden hue here, where luxury floats in the air. Looks like a perfume, it's remarkable that the wine starts to as little as £ 5 a glass. Wine is his strong point, and the friendly sommelier Joris Beijn is a man who deserves to be known: he is passionate about his list, competent and accommodating. The bar is flexible, in that it's great for an appointment, or catch-up with old friends, or a before / after dinner. The room is amazing: high painted ceilings, spectacular red walls, large art bells, marble countertops and crystal-clear glass capturing light. The cocktails cost about £ 14 and the light side: lots of gin and floral concoctions. The restaurant next door is not to be missed either, just get ready to find a Uber home: invariably, you'll stretch out and go out the evening to stay a little longer.
16/48 Gerry's Club
A word of warning: it's technically a club of members but you'll probably be fine if you flirt enough – and do not ask Gerry It's long gone. Michael is taking care of this place now. We have only been once – very late, very drunk and with very good friends. Most old school soho dies are dead, but this core of actors and writers is what remains of 'Old Soho'. If you are boring, avoid things: it's a place to drink wine and beer, tell stories, laugh and give yourself a monumental hangover discreetly.
17/48 68 and Boston
Boston, the upstairs bar, looks like a glamorous train cart of the golden age of cocktails, but plays a little safe. Wine Bar 68, downstairs, is the real gem, with a wonderful price: every bottle on the list is £ 20, so choose what you like, not what you can afford. Better yet, if you do not fancy a bottle, they are served by carafe (£ 14) or glass (£ 5.50). The wines are well chosen and Denise Medrano, a blogger and wine lover behind the bar, is still working on updating the list – so come back and try something new. You'll probably end up getting drunk here: the attraction of another bottle at just £ 20 is monumentally hard to resist, but hey, that's why Soho is made. If you want to drink something more upscale, ask – they have some hidden "hidden" wines for those who know. That's you, now.
18/48 The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion
Forget the infusions and drinks that take half an hour to do: sometimes a good night needs tequila and dancing. The Pink Chihuahua is built for that: they provide tequila – more than 300 different types, in fact – you're here to drink and dance. They have all sorts of twists on Margaritas and Daiquiris, and, since you're down the Mexican El Camion, plenty of food at the bar to indulge too. A lot of fun, and if you feel more in the mood just to sit down and sip something slowly, ask for their Mezcal choice. There is real talent here, but fun too.
19/48 The Gibson
Given the shortage of decent cocktails at Farringdon, the tiny Gibson is a God-sending. It's a living room located somewhere between Edwardian and Art Deco, and the drinks are not just poured here, they're groomed, built, thoughtful, adored. Nothing surprising, really, since the team learned their craft like Nightjar and The Connaught.
This place makes it more creative to push the bartenders forward than any bar that's been around for a while, so ask the team for recommendations and you'll see something magical . You will have to ask, in fact, that the menu is a novel and there is the risk of wasting evening reading instead of drinking, and that just would not do it at all.
20/48 Peg + Patriot
The Talented Mr. Fox, Matt Whiley, offers a nice mix of things here: while the menu takes a travel around London, with each cocktail a column of flavor, some handle the chameleon taste all in one sip space, the actual bar is surprisingly understated and understated. The effect is such that if the drinks are upscale, you do not feel obliged to sit quietly to enjoy them. Relax, have a few – you might want, because the services are not huge. It must be said that these cocktails are among the most interesting of London, rather than the best in London: they are talking points, quirks, they put flavors together in a way that is not available elsewhere. If you are big at trying new things, different experiences, seeing what a cocktail can do, come on, it's a must. If it's just something deliciously delicious that you like, somewhere else may be better.
21/48 Worship Street Whistle Street
It is assumed that the staff here has night vision, otherwise it is a mystery complete and total how they see customers, not to mention their ingredients. Still, they have to do it because the exit is pretty good across and through this dark place. It is Victorian-inspired, which seems tired and not a bit sticky, but the Purl gang did it correctly. The drinks are busy – lots of mergers, blends, gases and pressure and all kinds – so it's appropriate that they come out of a lab. Still, all this engineering seems worth it, as drinks slip easily, alcohol often hidden. Make sure to take a seat in the Dram Shop, and enter the Gin Closet, which works as a bar of honesty.
22/48 Kansas Smitty's
Under the bar & Off Broadway & # 39; – far, it's Mexican – is this wonderful jazz and juleps room. It's a clandestine bar for 2016: that is, it does not have any of the artificial manners of the bars that claim to be speakeasies, it just happens to be one: you'll need to hit to enter, rave music loud and warm, and the place is so tight the strangers become the family after a drink or two. The house group, which gave its name to the place, has a envious talent, and the bar has quite recently revised its list of drinks, and the results are good. You will be absorbed by the music, and will then remain to praise the crowd.
23/48 GŎNG
Gong is in the Shard, so you're here for the sight alone. See for sure: At 52 floors, this is by far the highest place in London to drink: therefore, sipping a martini, you feel a bit like a villain of Bond meditating everything below . This is not a huge bar, but it adds a bit to exclusivity. Prices are, of course, high: expect to pay at least £ 18. Drinks have a lot on them to compete with the sight: the presentation is everything. They have not jumped on the minds that make the mix, either: expect to taste rum Zacapa 23 (heavenly thing), Talisker scotch and Tanqueray 10 for gin. All the top drawer stuff. If this sounds a little daunting, keep in mind that they apply a no-reservation policy, so you have a chance to get in there as anybody else. other.
24/48 Mr. Fogg's Salon
Downstairs is a pretty decent, busy pub theaters. On the floor, the living room is quieter, but only a little. The walls are a ball gown sparkling with curiosities of the 19th century, unsubstantial stupidities that disappear. Head to a lounge chair with a couple of friends or a date and grab something from each of the five "acts" that divide the menu. The drinks seem particularly good here, rich, relying heavily on rum, cognac and sherry. Gin lovers should not despair: they have a room with 300 different types next door. Come elegantly dressed.
25/48 Bar Termini
Make the Bar Termini and you will love it: do it bad, and you could be disappointed. Tony Conigliaro, cocktail par excellence, and coffee maestro Marco Arrigo have built a revolving door: do not come here to linger. Expect a night of cocktails and you will leave disappointed: instead, adore it in the day for the £ 1 espressos, and swing by the evening for a negroni (£ 6). They are small, but among the best in the capital. We come and go, and so, it adds a touch of Italian glamor to any evening.
26/48 Trisha (New Club Evaristo)
Drinks do not make barrette, and thank goodness, as things served at Trisha – from the name from its owner – is consistently quite awful: red and white wine that you would consider an insult if a friend served it for supper, prosecco madly too expensive, bad spirits ecetera ecetera. At over 70, the club is the oldest in Soho, and no one remembers something that changes – it's often hard to remember Trisha in the details, as it should be. Bad wine and expensive blenders and paint stripper spirits are part of the point: it's a glorious drinking den, and a wonderful and wonderful fun. There are characters here: the last time we were there, we found ourselves scared by an old East End gangster who said he knew the Krays. Huge. Long live here.
27/48 The Smoker
The Smoker will trouble you because you will be torn between screaming and keeping it all for you. This purple and leather stain, decadence deco with a touch of welcome, is hidden behind a secret door at Claridge. Tiny and glitzy to feel like a Hollywood cloakroom of the golden age, it is not a surprise that the likes of Christina Hendricks love it. For such a small place, they crowd a lot: lots of wine, classic cocktails, a shaken bucket, buckets of gin, a good choice of Armagnac and a wonderful list of Scotch, sparkling with rarities.
28/48 69 Colebrooke Row
Formerly known as "Unnamed Bar", they will now be called "the bar with the watch of Bernard ". Because there is no other explanation for how quickly their finely mixed cocktails arrive. Another bar by Tony Conigliaro, he has earned his reputation for becoming a success after the fact: the list of drinks is constantly tempting. The piano is a nice touch; This is played much better, and be sure to order the oyster meadow – fun to drink, and even for those who can not eat seafood. Keep in mind that this is a small place, so you are close to your neighbors, and if you do not like strong drinks where the alcohol boot, it will not be for you.
29/48 Happiness Forgets
Do not expect fuss and more stories here: Happiness Forgets is a distilled cocktail bar up to its very essence, and very well done – their tag "High End Cocktails / Low End Rent" sums it up the best. The bartenders are all great designers and their creations are impeccable. Not surprisingly, this Hoxton space has its regulars, so the crowd is always good. The tables can be reserved, but half is always reserved for walk-ins: try your luck, it's worth it.
30/48 Dry Martini by Javier de las Muelas
Come to that one to boast: Dry Martini is known as the best of Barcelona cocktail bar, and has been ranked fifth best bar in the world by the panel of the 50 best bars in the world. The renowned bartender Javier de las Muelas has bought his concept from us lucky Londoners, and with him, finely mixed and classic cocktails. No prize for guessing that the Dry Martini is the special house – if you do not think you like them, here's a place to change your mind. With over 80 gins on the list, you could easily lose a week here
31/48 Gordon's
Gordon seems more in addition Packed with each passing day, but perhaps rightly: the institution of the beloved Embankment is made to spill bottles of wine. Eat a few cold bites and chat in a long evening that unfolds. The wine list is pretty good, but you're really there for the mood: in the summer, the terrace, buzzing, in winter, the caves inside, stuffed with noise, spilled wine and joy .
32/48 [19459006BarSocialCitySocial
You'd think you're at City Social, up 24 floors of Tower 42, to eat, but if you stop in the bar, chances are you do not do it at your table. The drinks are rather surprising: they are so much better than what is expected from a bar-restaurant, inventive, carefully but not flawlessly laid out, keeping a sense of fun . And, crucially, damn tasty. C'est une chambre sombre, et plein de types de villes, mais parfait pour quelques cocktails de fin de soirée tremper la vue, ce qui est vraiment très agréable. Sanglant cher, mais ça en fait partie.
33/48 Mesdames et Messieurs
Bolthole de William Borrell transcende son gadget (qui, si vous ne l'aviez pas deviné, est qu'il est un loo public converti), avec l'aide de quelques barmen très pratiques, et son gin brassé à la maison, Highwayman, dont douze bouteilles par jour se distillent. Ladies & Gents se débrouille bien comme un endroit pour boire un verre ou, mieux encore, un endroit pour se saouler tranquillement. Pratique en effet. Les boissons sont fortes, très intéressantes, et il y a plein de petits pots sur le mur pour garder votre conversation. Il maintient un vernis d'être quelque part légèrement haut de gamme, mais vous finirez probablement par lire l'un des livres dispersés ou en essayant de danser sur la musique live. Parfait pour une date qui devient incontrôlable.
34/48 Bull dans une boutique de Chine
Vérité, vous aurez besoin d'attraper cet endroit par une bonne nuit, car nous avons été assez souvent pour savoir qu'il a ses bonnes nuits et ses «meh» nuits. Mais quand l'endroit est sur, c'est vraiment cuisiner, et facilement l'un des meilleurs bars de la ville. La liste des cocktails est courte, mais réfléchie, et même les petites attentions sont prises en compte: on s'assure même que les verres à eau sont bien refroidis. La camomille et le charbon de bois Old-Fashioned est un must, et tous les amateurs de whisky devraient bavarder avec le personnel du bar, car ils ont des bouteilles qui ne sont disponibles nulle part ailleurs dans la capitale.
35/48 Sager + Wilde
Les amateurs de vin se réjouissent, les alésages de vin cherchent ailleurs. Sager + Wilde admirablement garder les choses sans prétention: la brique exposée donne le ton: ils gardent les choses discrètes. La liste des promotions change régulièrement, et toujours avec des choix intéressants introduits. Certains vins sont exclusifs à cet endroit, vous êtes donc presque sûr d'essayer quelque chose de nouveau. Avoir un SHE + T (sherry avec tonic, délicieux), et absolument ne pas partir sans avoir le sandwich au fromage grillé
36/48 7 Contes à Sosharu
Sous Sosharu de Jason Atherton se trouve cette tanière japonaise sexy et minable où vous trouverez le glamour brumeux et débauché de Tokyo après la tombée de la nuit. Contrairement à tant de bars sous les restaurants, 7 Tales ne ressemble pas à un enclos, et les boissons sont faites avec précision, avec des saveurs penchées au-delà de l'habituel – gin lavé au riz, saké, infusions de sésame, collations tempura. Les collations de bar sont un must irrésistible.
37/48 Callooh Callay
Excentrique ne semble pas tout à fait le couvrir: entrer dans le monde surréaliste de Callooh Callay à travers une vieille garde-robe victorienne, apercevez un trône et commandez un punch d'un gramophone à partir d'un menu qui ressemble plus à un livre d'autocollants. Cela semble un peu ridicule, mais les barmen connaissent vraiment leur truc, donc pour toutes les bizarreries, les boissons sont fondamentalement très bonnes. Le week-end, c'est un bar de fête, et les DJs jouent de la musique à la hauteur: vous êtes là pour passer un bon moment. Tous les détectives de votre gang trouveront à Callooh Callay deux salles supplémentaires à explorer – elles sont naturellement cachées. Si vous êtes bon, vous pourriez même recevoir une invitation à l'étage à la salle Jub Jub, où la liste des cocktails 10-long change toutes les trois semaines. Les fans devraient également se diriger vers leur nouvelle offre dans Angel, Little Bat.
38/48 Dukes Bar
Duke est connu pour un raison: martinis. The St James’s hotel was a favourite haunt of James Bond author and (very) keen drinker, Ian Fleming, who supposedly came up with the ‘shaken, not stirred’ line here. Their martinis are exceptionally strong, and very large: there’s a reason they won’t serve you more than two. But look, break the mould: they’re a classic hotel bar, they serve a fine range of classic cocktails. There’s also a cognac and cigar garden, if you’re so inclined.
39/48 NOLA
It would be too easy to miss this place, so do your homework and saunter in: it’s must more attractive than sweatily asking anyone if they’ve seen the place. Drawing inspiration from the home of proper cocktails, New Orleans, the bar loves traditional drinks, builds them properly and serves them in a den of music and laughter. Unlike some places specialising in old school serves, NOLA is a place for fun: sure, it seems to say, you could have a quiet drink – but why would you want to? There’s a cracking cigar terrace too, small enough that everyone talks before heading back in for one hell of a Vieux Carré.
40/48 Call Me Mr Lucky
All the ‘hidden’ bars at the Breakfast Clubs around the capital are popular, with perhaps The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town being the best known. Call Me Mr Lucky, on Southwark Street, happens to be our favourite. Once you’ve flirted with the staff – ask to get lucky – you’re taken through the restaurant’s kitchens to a lively bar decorated like some twisted take on a kids party. Have a go on the wheel of fortune, where you’ll really want to get lucky, and win a free shot, and then work your way through the cocktail list. Like any good-time bar worth its salt, this place is big on tequila, and the drinks are light-hearted fun, but – here we go getting lucky again – along with the quirks comes quality. By the of the evening, before you’re porured back onto the street, you’ll swear tequila is your new favourite drink, and you’ll be singing the party hits they play all the way home.
41/48 K Bar at The Kensington
K bar feels majestic – and there is no other word for it – because drinking here is a little like being in the captain’s quarters of the Titanic, albeit without the sinking feeling. There is glamour here: a kind of place to be seduced in. Cocktails wise, bar manager Ben Manchester is the man to ask for, but there’s a fine list to choose from. It avoids stuffiness, and just needs to be packed out to really get cooking.
42/48 Nightjar
Nightjar has fame which means writing about it is redundant: people think it marvellously good, and they’ve live music most of the week. It’s seating only and worth booking: just be sure not to cancel, or they’ll charge a steep £10 per person. They do the speakeasy theme, but well enough that it isn’t too tired yet, and have plenty of old school style on the list. Pick up a pack of cards from the bar on your way out.
43/48 Reverend J W Simpson
Bourne and Hollingsworth run this rather lovely little bar, downstairs from a small doorway on Goodge St. Service is friendly and speedy, it's comfortable, and drinks more than hold their own – there's both obscure traditional mixes and modern serves made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Luckily, with good drinks come good people, and it's a loud, happy place.
44/48 Albertine
Albertine hasn’t changed much since the day East Enders was commissioned there. A wine bar through and through, you’ll struggle to get anything else (though there are a couple of ales on the menu.) It’s a place with spirit, which draws a regular, devoted crowd. They sell everything they serve, and it’s well worth splashing out: the mark-up gets less and less as the bottles get more expensive, meaning you can get an absolute bargain at the top end of the list. It’s also the kind of wine bar you go to to overindulge.
45/48 First Aid Box
This place really is worth travelling to Herne Hill to, which must be saying something. The team behind Shrub & Shutter have thickly laid on the pharmacy theme here, with ‘cure-all’ drinks. It’s not an idea which sounds like it should work, and yet, how much better life would be if they were one of the emergency services. Expect ‘saline’ drips, syringes, and the likes of plastic lungs – their take on thirst aid – but rest assured, flavours aren’t medicinal in the slightest. At £8 – 10 a drink, it’s reasonable for London, and wonderful to see a bar really trying something new. Bravo.
Media Wisdom Photography – Giles Christopher
46/48 Nam Long Le Shaker
It gained fame for its celebrity fans, which include Mick Jagger and Prince Harry, but Nam Long has held on longer than most A-list haunts: it’s been going 30 years, and recently was given an overhaul. It’s quite possibly the most Chelsea place imaginable – there are literally MIC cast members floating about – and its a go-to spot to drink far too much and party. The upstairs area is bright, airy, and well looked after by the excellent bartenders, while downstairs – "the Opium Den" – is as it sounds (though there was no opium available when we asked… ) The drinks upstairs were made with more care, but downstairs is more intimate, opulent, and better for a small groups. Some of those Chelsea types who go really are the very worst, and the drinks are outrageously expensive, but hey, it’s a laugh.
47/48 The Vault at Milroy's
A bar through a bookcase: we’re sold. Better yet, it’s underneath one of Soho’s finest whisky shops – with stiff competition from The Vintage House – so if you’re taken with something downstairs, buy it on your way out. It’s a simple little bar and the service is decidedly so-so, but it’s usually pretty busy, they play good music and have an excellent range of spirits. The menu is changed regularly, but it’s a good place to cram into with friends or on a date. You mightn’t spend the entire night here, but for a couple of drinks on the way somewhere, or on the way back, it fits the bill perfectly.
48/48 Bounce
There are two Bounce bars, one on Old Street and one on Holborn. The Old Street spot is a little more fun, graffiti adorning the walls,the Holborn spot somewhat more upmarket. Still, they both deserve a mention, and for the simple reason they’re damned good fun. Drinks here are good, with a decent spirit selection at both (and a huge number of gins in Farringdon) and a respectable selection of beers. Food is fine, simple. Still, you come to play ping pong. They’ve tables everywhere. There’s little to fault with Bounce: it’s a laugh, and sometimes that’s all somewhere needs to be.
1/48 Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London
The Rosewood is doubly wonderful for drinkers, as they’ve two fine spots. In the modern Dining Room, sit at the gin bar, which outstocks anywhere else in London, with more than 400 gins and 27 tonics. Trying to choose is impossible, but what a lovely impossibility to have. The bar staff clearly had one hell of a tasting session as they know the list perfectly. Across the way is Scarfes Bar, a brilliant, brilliant bar gladly shaken free from all the stuffiness usually found in hotel bars. The drinks are stunning, they’ve often live music, it gets wonderfully busy and crackles with laughter. Go a little later and it’s busier, people drink more, everything is better.
2/48 Bar Américain
As the name suggests, this is a classic American bar, and done near perfectly. One can become very fond of Bar Américain and very quickly: passing through Piccadilly Circus, it acts as a magnet – a quick negroni becomes a temptation impossible to resist. It’s a very beautiful place, calling to mind grand Parisian hotels of the 20s and 30s, bottles winking from the bar, staff floating through with their finery and litres of charm. You’re here to drink the classics: they’ve a killer Clover Club and a straight-down-the-line Manhattan. But ask: the bartenders know their stuff and bring their A-game to any challenge – tell them what you like, and they’ll bring you something new. They often have specials on, as well. Top marks for the attentive staff, bringing plenty of water and bowl after bowl of popcorn – both essential after a few here.
3/48 Oriole
The team behind Nightjar took their winning formula, gave it a bit of a shake up and created Oriole. They’ve live music throughout the week – from Wednesday to Saturday, there’s a charge per person, so watch out for that – which gives any night here a bit of zip. This is a strictly seated spot, so be sure to book: once inside, it’s a whirlwind tour of the world, with fine details from across the globe, both in the styling and the drinks… and so much cheaper than booking a holiday. Drinks are excellent, whether you’re into New Orleans style classics or something from the depths of Asia: explore the menu (split into Old World, New World and The Orient) and expect something unusual and faintly brilliant, with a touch of the Tiki. Put it this way: Oriole is ideal whether you prefer drinking from a crystal tumbler, a teacup or, er, a silver crocodile.
4/48 Piano Works
Full credit to this fun Farringdon spot: they’ve worked hard to make the place better and better since opening, which is pretty good going for what was already a decent spot to begin with. The Piano Works sounds like a quiet jazz bar but instead is a hell-raising house of sound, splendidly raucous, where a house band take requests and belt out your favourite songs. The more you get involved, the more fun it is, and the place heats up the later it gets. Wine starts at £16, house cocktails are £8, but they've tons of terrific deals during the week – including cocktails for a fiver (!!) Drink lots, dance lots and leave in the early hours with someone you shouldn’t do. That’s what we did.
5/48 Hawksmoor, Spitalfields
It’s hardly surprising the bar snacks are a highlight here – have the oxcheek nuggets with a side of chips, then call the waiter over to order them over again – given how good the steak upstairs is. The drinks and setting, though, match them pound for pound. The old tube tiles on the walls, the beautiful parquet floor, the copper tops and silvery black ceiling make the large space a place to settle in for the night no matter your seat, while the cocktails come with oodles of thought in each one: the new menu has homemade bitters, shrubs and syrups, and it’s bloody obvious everyone behind the bar is more than a little nerdy about building drinks. Shaky Pete’s Ginger Brew is the classic, so have it, but follow up with the Shadow Boxer, a mix of scotch, sherry and Fernet-Branca. Odd, oddly delicious. It’s also a cracking place to sit for a bottle of wine.
6/48 Andrew Edmunds
Perhaps better than it’s ever been, Andrew Edmunds recently won The Good Drinking prize in our Restaurant Awards, and for good reason. It’s a small spot, cramped to the point that coming here on a first date feels like you’re being very forward indeed , with the best tables upstairs and not much to look at – just settle for being distracted by someone beautiful. The food, French-ish/English-ish, is fine, but its the wine that's extraordinary. And you’re here for wine: forget cocktails, they have. What a list, and so quietly marked up that you’re getting a steal with almost every bottle – indeed, the more expensive the better the deal. Having been going 30 years, those who knew old Soho say it’s one of the last bastion of such things. Drink too much gorgeous wine and come back often.
7/48 The Connaught Bar
A bar for the impossibly beautiful, a bar of high heels and glimmering lights, of perfume and leather. Aside from oddly thumping music, the Connaught is wonderfully detached from the world – a place of its own, cosy and winter warm when it needs to be, light and summer when desired. The drinks, naturally pricey, are well put together and while classic in tone, come with crackles of theatre: washes in perfume bottles, branches as garnishes, smoke, the lot. Still, the martini trolley is what they’re famed for, so it’s only right to indulge. Afterward, head to the Champagne Room: sadly the law stops it being the cigar haven it once was, but it's still gorgeous: romantic and charming with its fireplace, dramatic with its glass ceiling and sculpture swan diving. Treat yourself to the Ruinart blanc de blanc. Damned good olives, too.
8/48 Milk & Honey
You know a bar is good when local bartenders love it, and Milk & Honey has long been a Soho favourite for those in the know. Hidden in plain sight this terrific bar has been doing its thing for just shy of 15 years. The talent hasn’t diminished, and neither has the care put into the drinks. Cocktails are strong and proper and happily, they're updating the list soon to freshen things up. At around £10 a drink, M&H is also a bargain for central London, and the quality outstrips the price. It functions as a members bar, but non-members can book up until 11pm – though going earlier in the week means you’re more likely to score a table. Milk & Honey is civilised, without the crushing formality. Next door is the Blind Pig, another top 'hidden' spot.
9/48 Mark's Bar
The bad: you might not get in. If it’s busy, they don’t squeeze people into this basement, so either be there early, or bamboozle them with charm, or dazzle them with your brilliant wit. We’re kidding: just take someone hot. The good: pretty much everything else. Naturally, the bar snacks are distractingly tasty, but the drinks list is excellent, and unusual too, with a few historical recipes brought back to life. Attention to detail is everything here, so if you’re not sharing one of the big old Chesterfields, head to the bar and sit and watch – there’s something about it that’s like seeing a cardmaster turn tricks. And have a Hix Fix, just to say you have.
10/48 The Beaufort bar and the American Bar at The Savoy
Glitz, glamour and lots of gold: both Savoy bars are wonderfully opulent. The world-famous American bar, recently revamped, is still up there as one of the best bars on our humble planet. The bartenders bible, Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book, was written here, and the cocktails served today remain as finely tuned as they ever were. Whereas as other bars try to recreate the glamour of such places, The Savoy needn’t pretend: everything is genuine. The palatial Beaufort is absurdly romantic, and drinks are extravagantly presented: it works for the most special of special occasions, and there’s something undeniably grand about sipping away in the same place Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway all did. If you’re planning a few drinks, either be rich or take someone rich – seriously.
11/48 Artesian
Artesian won its accolades for its team, Alex Kratena and Simone Caporale, who ran the place for eight years and earned its reputation as the best bar in the world. They’ve sadly departed, but have left the place in capable hands, and the feel is much the same as it ever was, which is chic, glamorous, and not taking itself too seriously. While the beautiful and the rich rub shoulders, the bartenders are mixing up excellent but often slightly silly drinks – but it’s their mischievousness that makes them so winning. Seriously impressive.
12/48 Les Compagnie Des Vins Surnaturels
Call it CVS and your night becomes considerably easier to pronounce. Sat in Neil’s Yard, it is one of London’s finest wine bars. Thoroughly French, of course: New World wines barely get a sideways glance, while even Italy’s finest is only begrudgingly given a little space on the considerable menu. This doesn't mean there is a lack of choice – to the contrary, it is almost overwhelming, though they have a short by-the-glass list, and the charming staff are both well informed and passionate about what to have. In the summer, sit outdoors, in the winter, cosy up by the bar. Wherever you are, try the mystery wine; if you guess it, you’ll win a bottle. Have food – small plates made to share, and terrifically good – and drink plenty, so the bill doesn’t hit as hard.
13/48 The Shrub & Shutter
This Brixton bar felt new in the area, taking a little of east London and bringing it down south. They’ve a pleasingly patchwork approach to decor: there are jars and bottles and shakers everywhere, which gives the place a kitchen feel. The cocktails, lovely to drink on their own, are made better with the food, which is designed to match what you’re drinking. The pairings initially sound a little gimmicky – crayfish with vodka, venison on the side of ‘The Deerhunter’ (an old fashioned, basically) – but they work, so drop that sceptical streak for a moment. It gets busy, so book up, get in early, and stay late. They’ve a license until 3am, so it’d be rude not to.
14/48 Sky Pod at the Sky Garden
The truth of it is, you come for the view, but good God it's a great view, and 360-degrees at that. Up 35 floors, if you can think of a London icon, you can probably see it. When the weather's good, get outside for some fresh air. With completely free entry and minimal security fuss, it’s worth making a reservation, though if you’re ok to queue, they’ll have you in. Cocktails aren’t torturously expensive, at around £11.50, and are very enjoyable – the cognac-chocolate-caramel-port mix that is Black and Gold is particularly good– so it doesn't feel like they're relying on the sights.
There’s a sense of special occasion, and all the more so with live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. They’re hoping for jazz on Wednesdays, too. If you’re tempted to eat, Fenchurch and the Darwin Brasserie are well worth trying – Fenchurch is particularly good for veggies.
15/48 The Gilbert Scott
Given the golden hue here, where luxury hangs in the air like perfume, it’s remarkable that wine starts at as little as £5 a glass. Wine is its strong point, and likeable head sommelier Joris Beijn is a man worth knowing: he is passionate about his list, knowledgeable and accommodating. The bar is flexible, in that it is by turns ideal for a date, or a catch up with old friends, or a pre/post dinner drinks. The room is a stunner: high painted ceilings, dramatic red walls, great big bells as art, marble bar top and crystal glasses catching the light. Cocktails come in at around £14, and err on the light side: lots of gin and floral concoctions. The restaurant, next door, isn’t to be missed, either, just be prepared to get an Uber home: invariably, you’ll stretch and tease out the evening to stay just a little longer.
16/48 Gerry's Club
A word of warning: this is technically a member's club, but you'll probably be fine if you flirt enough – and don't ask for Gerry, he's long since passed. Michael looks after this place now. We've only been once – very late, very drunk and with very good friends. Most old-school Soho drinking dens are dead, but this hub of actors and writers is what remains of 'Old Soho'. If you're boring, steer clear: it is a place to drink wine and beer and tell stories, to laugh uproariously and to give yourself a monumental hangover in a faintly discreet way.
17/48 68 and Boston
Boston, the bar upstairs, looks like glamorous train carriage from the golden age of cocktails but plays it a little bit safe. Wine bar 68, downstairs, is the real gem, with a wonderful way of pricing: every bottle on the list is £20, so choose what you like, not what you can afford. Better yet, if you don't fancy a bottle, they're served by the carafe (£14) or glass (£5.50). Wines are well picked and Denise Medrano, wine blogger and lover found behind the bar, is always working to update the list – so go back to try something new. You’ll probably end up getting drunk here: the pull of another bottle at just £20 is monumentally hard to resist, but hey, that’s what Soho is for. If you fancy drinking something more upscale, ask – they’ve a few ‘hidden’ wines kept hidden away for those in the know. That’s you, now.
18/48 The Pink Chihuahua at El Camion
Forget house infusions and drinks that take half an hour to make: sometimes a good night needs tequila and dancing. The Pink Chihuahua is built for it: they’re providing the tequila – more than 300 different types of it, in fact – you’re there to drink it down and dance it up. They’ve all sorts of twists on Margaritas and Daiquiris, and, given you’re downstairs from Mexican restaurant El Camion, plenty of bar food to indulge in too. Lots of fun, and if you’re feeling more in the mood just to sit back and sip something slowly, ask about their choice of Mezcal. There's real talent here, but fun too.
19/48 The Gibson
Given the dearth of decent cocktails in Farringdon, the tiny Gibson is a God-send. It’s a parlour pitched somewhere between Edwardian and Art Deco, and drinks aren’t simply poured here, they’re tended to, built, thought about, adored. All unsurprising, really, given the team learnt their trade at the likes of Nightjar and The Connaught.
This place is doing more creatively to push bartending forward than any bar that's opened up in a while, so ask the team for recommendations and you’ll be presented with something magic. You’ll need to ask, actually, as the menu is a novel and there’s the risk of wasting the evening reading instead of drinking, and that simply wouldn’t do at all.
20/48 Peg+Patriot
The Talented Mr Fox, Matt Whiley, offers is a nice blend of things here: while the menu takes a sophisticated trip around London, with each cocktail a column of flavour, some managing chameleonic taste all within the space of a sip, the actual bar is surprisingly spare and understated. The effect is such that while drinks are upmarket, one doesn’t feel obliged to sit demurely to enjoy them. Relax, have a few – you might want to, as the serves aren’t huge. It should be said that these cocktails are among London’s most interesting, rather than London’s best: they are talking points, oddities, they put flavours together in a way that isn’t available elsewhere. If you’re big on trying new things, different experiences, seeing what a cocktail can do, come, it’s a must. If it’s just something reliably delicious you fancy, elsewhere may be better.
21/48 Worship Street Whistling Shop
One presumes the staff here have night vision, otherwise it’s a complete and utter mystery how they see customers, let alone their ingredients. Still, they must do, for the output is pretty much excellent through and through at this dark spot. It’s Victorian-inspired, which sounds tired and not a little tacky, but the gang from Purl have done it properly. Drinks are busy – lots of fusions, blends, gasses and pressure and all sorts – so it’s appropriate they come out of a lab. Still, all this engineering seems to be worth it, as the drinks slip down easily, the alcohol often hidden away. Make sure to take a seat in the Dram Shop, and pop in to the Gin Closet too, which operates as an honesty bar.
22/48 Kansas Smitty's
Below bar ‘Off Broadway’ – a long way off, it’s Mexican – sits this glorious den of jazz and juleps. It is a speakeasy for 2016: that is to say, it has none of the contrived mannerisms of bars which proclaim to be speakeasies, it just happens to actually be one: you’ll need to knock to get in, the music raves loud and hot, and the place is so crowded strangers become family after a drink or two. The house band, for which the place is named, have envy-inducing talent, and the bar has fairly recently overhauled its drinks list, and the results are good. You’ll be absorbed by the music, and stay afterwards to ride the buzz of the crowd.
23/48 GŎNG
Gong is in the Shard, so you’re there for the view alone. View it certainly does: at 52 floors up, it’s by far London’s highest spot to drink: consequently, sipping on a martini, one feels a little like a Bond villain pondering all that’s below. It’s not a huge bar, but that somewhat adds to the sense of exclusivity. Prices are, naturally, sky high: expect to pay at least £18. The drinks have plenty about them to compete with the view: presentation is everything. They’ve not skipped on the spirits making the mix, either: expect the likes of Zacapa 23 rum (heavenly stuff), Talisker scotch and Tanqueray 10 for the gin. All top drawer stuff. If this all sounds a bit intimidating, bear in mind they operate a no reservations policy, so you’ve as good a chance of getting in as anyone else.
24/48 Mr Fogg's Salon
Downstairs is a pretty decent pub, busy from theatreland. Upstairs, the salon is quieter, but only a little. The walls are a glittering ballgown of 19th century curiosities, unsubtle nonsense winking away. Head to a chaise longues with a couple of friends or a date and take in something from each one of the five “acts” which split the menu. Drinks seem to smell especially good here, rich, relying heavily on the likes of rum, cognac and sherry. Gin lovers need not despair: they’ve a room with 300 different types next door. Come elegantly dressed.
25/48 Bar Termini
Do Bar Termini right and you’ll love it: do it wrong, and you may be underwhelmed. Tony Conigliaro, cocktail chap par excellence, and coffee maestro Marco Arrigo have built a revolving-door of a place: don’t come here to linger. Expect a night of cocktails and you’ll leave disappointed: instead, love it in the day for the £1 espressos, and swing by in the evening for a negroni (£6). They’re small, but some of the best in the capital. One swishes in and out here, and that way, it adds a touch of Italian glamour to any evening.
26/48 Trisha's (New Evaristo Club)
Drinks don’t make a bar, and thank goodness, as the stuff served at Trisha’s – named for its owner – is uniformly pretty awful: red and white wine you’d consider an insult if a friend served it at supper, prosecco wildly overpriced, terrible spirits ecetera ecetera. At more than 70, the club is Soho’s oldest, and while nobody who goes there can ever remember anything changing – it’s often quite hard to recall much about Trisha’s in crystal detail, as it happens – nothing needs to. The bad wine and expensive mixers and paint stripper spirits are all part of the point: it’s a glorious drinking den, and marvellous, marvellous fun. There are characters here: the last time we were in, we sat being scared witless by an old East End gangster who said he’s known the Krays. Tremendous. Long may this place live.
27/48 The Fumoir
The Fumoir will confuse you, as you’ll be torn between shouting about it and keeping it all to yourself. This plush purple and leather spot, deco decadence with a touch of welcome pomp, is hidden away behind a secret door at Claridge’s. Tiny and glitzy enough to feel like a Hollywood dressing room from the Golden Age, it’s little surprise the likes of Christina Hendricks adore it. For such a small place, they squeeze an awful lot in: plenty of wines, classic cocktails given a stern shake up, buckets of gin, a lovely choice of armagnac and a magnificent scotch list, gleaming with rarities.
28/48 69 Colebrooke Row
Once known as ‘the bar with no name’, henceforth they shall be called ‘the bar with Bernard’s watch’, as there is no other explanation for the speed with which their finely mixed cocktails arrive. Another bar from Tony Conigliaro, it’s earned its reputation for turning out hit after hit: the drinks list is endlessly tempting. The piano is a nice touch; that is gets played a much nicer one, and make sure to order the Prairie Oyster – fun to drink, and one even for those who can’t eat seafood. Bear in mind it’s a small spot, so you’re close to your neighbours, and if you don’t like strong drinks where the booze kicks, this won’t be for you.
29/48 Happiness Forgets
Don’t expect frills and fuss or the rest of it here: Happiness Forgets is cocktail bar distilled down to its very essence, and done very well – their tag “High End Cocktails/Low End Rent” sums it up best. The bartenders are all top drawer, and their creations impeccable. Unsurprisingly, this Hoxton space has its regulars, so the crowd is always good. Tables can be booked, but half are always kept for walk-ins: try your luck, it’s worth it.
30/48 Dry Martini by Javier de las Muelas
Come to this one to brag: Dry Martini is known as Barcelona’s best cocktail bar, and has been rated the fifth best bar in the world by the World’s 50 Best Bars panel. Renowned bartender Javier de las Muelas has bought over his concept to us lucky Londoners, and with it, finely mixed and classic cocktails. No prizes for guessing that the Dry Martini is the house special – if you don’t think you like them, here’s a place to change your mind. With more than 80 gins on the list, you could easily lose a week here.
31/48 Gordon's
Gordon’s seems to get more and more crowded with each passing day, but perhaps rightly so: the beloved Embankment institution is made for knocking back bottles of wine in. Eat a few cold bites and chat into a long, unwinding evening. The wine list is good enough, but you’re really here for the atmosphere: in summer, the terrace, buzzing, in winter, the caves indoors, crammed with noise, spilt wine, and joy.
32/48 Social bar at City Social
You’d think you’re at City Social, up 24 stories of Tower 42, to eat, but if you stop in the bar, there’s a good chance you won’t make it to your table. The drinks come as something of a surprise: they’re so much better than one expects from a restaurant bar, inventive, put together carefully but not staidly, retaining a sense of fun. And, crucially, damned tasty. It’s a dark room, and full of city types, but perfect for a few late night cocktails soaking up the view, which is really quite wonderful. Bloody pricey, but that’s part of it.
33/48 Ladies and Gentlemen
William Borrell’s bolthole transcends its gimmick (which, if you hadn’t guessed, is that it’s a converted public loo), with the help of some very handy bartenders, and its house-brewed gin, Highwayman, of which twelve bottles a day get distilled. Ladies & Gents manages well as a place for a quiet drink, or better yet, a place to quietly get roaringly drunk. Convenient indeed. The drinks are strong, very interesting, and there’s plenty of odd sods on the wall to keep your conversation up. It maintains a veneer of being somewhere faintly upmarket, but you’ll probably end up reading from one of the books scattered around or trying to dance to the live music. Perfect for a date that gets out of hand.
34/48 Bull In A China Shop
Truth it, you’ll need to catch this place on a good night, as we’ve been in often enough to know it has its good nights and its ‘meh’ nights. But when the place is on, it’s really cooking, and easily one of the best bars in town. The cocktail list is short, but thought through, and care is taken in even the small things: they even make sure the water glasses are chilled. The chamomile and charcoal Old-Fashioned is a must, and any whisky lovers should get chatting to the bar staff, as they’ve bottles which aren’t available anywhere else in the capital.
35/48 Sager + Wilde
Wine lovers rejoice, wine bores look elsewhere. Sager + Wilde admirably keep things unpretentious: the exposed brickwork sets the tone: they’re keeping things low key. The specials list changes regularly, and always with interesting choices introduced. Some of the wines are exclusive to this place, so you’re all but guaranteed to try something new. Have a SHE + T (sherry with tonic, delicious), and absolutely do not leave without having the grilled cheese sandwich.
36/48 7 Tales at Sosharu
Underneath Jason Atherton’s Sosharu is this sexy, seedy Japanese drinking den, where you’ll find the hazy, debauched glamour of Tokyo after dark. Unlike so many bars underneath restaurants, 7 Tales doesn’t feel like a holding pen, and drinks are precision made, with flavours leaning beyond the usual – think rice-washed gin, sake, infusions of sesame, snacks like tempura. Bar snacks are an irresistible must.
37/48 Callooh Callay
Eccentric doesn’t seem to quite cover it: enter the surreal world of Callooh Callay through an old Victorian wardrobe, catch sight of a throne and order punch out of a gramophone from a menu that’s more of a sticker book. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but the bartenders really know their stuff, so for all the quirks, drinks are fundamentally pretty excellent. On the weekends, it’s a party bar, and DJs spin music to match: you’re here for a good time. Any detectives in your gang will find there are two extra rooms in Callooh Callay to explore – they’re hidden away, too, naturally. If you’re good, you might even get an invite upstairs to the Jub Jub Room, where the 10-long cocktail list changes every three weeks. Fans should also head to their new offering in Angel, Little Bat.
38/48 Dukes Bar
Duke’s is known for one reason: martinis. The St James’s hotel was a favourite haunt of James Bond author and (very) keen drinker, Ian Fleming, who supposedly came up with the ‘shaken, not stirred’ line here. Their martinis are exceptionally strong, and very large: there’s a reason they won’t serve you more than two. But look, break the mould: they’re a classic hotel bar, they serve a fine range of classic cocktails. There’s also a cognac and cigar garden, if you’re so inclined.
39/48 NOLA
It would be too easy to miss this place, so do your homework and saunter in: it’s must more attractive than sweatily asking anyone if they’ve seen the place. Drawing inspiration from the home of proper cocktails, New Orleans, the bar loves traditional drinks, builds them properly and serves them in a den of music and laughter. Unlike some places specialising in old school serves, NOLA is a place for fun: sure, it seems to say, you could have a quiet drink – but why would you want to? There’s a cracking cigar terrace too, small enough that everyone talks before heading back in for one hell of a Vieux Carré.
40/48 Call Me Mr Lucky
All the ‘hidden’ bars at the Breakfast Clubs around the capital are popular, with perhaps The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town being the best known. Call Me Mr Lucky, on Southwark Street, happens to be our favourite. Once you’ve flirted with the staff – ask to get lucky – you’re taken through the restaurant’s kitchens to a lively bar decorated like some twisted take on a kids party. Have a go on the wheel of fortune, where you’ll really want to get lucky, and win a free shot, and then work your way through the cocktail list. Like any good-time bar worth its salt, this place is big on tequila, and the drinks are light-hearted fun, but – here we go getting lucky again – along with the quirks comes quality. By the of the evening, before you’re porured back onto the street, you’ll swear tequila is your new favourite drink, and you’ll be singing the party hits they play all the way home.
41/48 K Bar at The Kensington
K bar feels majestic – and there is no other word for it – because drinking here is a little like being in the captain’s quarters of the Titanic, albeit without the sinking feeling. There is glamour here: a kind of place to be seduced in. Cocktails wise, bar manager Ben Manchester is the man to ask for, but there’s a fine list to choose from. It avoids stuffiness, and just needs to be packed out to really get cooking.
42/48 Nightjar
Nightjar has fame which means writing about it is redundant: people think it marvellously good, and they’ve live music most of the week. It’s seating only and worth booking: just be sure not to cancel, or they’ll charge a steep £10 per person. They do the speakeasy theme, but well enough that it isn’t too tired yet, and have plenty of old school style on the list. Pick up a pack of cards from the bar on your way out.
43/48 Reverend J W Simpson
Bourne and Hollingsworth run this rather lovely little bar, downstairs from a small doorway on Goodge St. Service is friendly and speedy, it's comfortable, and drinks more than hold their own – there's both obscure traditional mixes and modern serves made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Luckily, with good drinks come good people, and it's a loud, happy place.
44/48 Albertine
Albertine hasn’t changed much since the day East Enders was commissioned there. A wine bar through and through, you’ll struggle to get anything else (though there are a couple of ales on the menu.) It’s a place with spirit, which draws a regular, devoted crowd. They sell everything they serve, and it’s well worth splashing out: the mark-up gets less and less as the bottles get more expensive, meaning you can get an absolute bargain at the top end of the list. It’s also the kind of wine bar you go to to overindulge.
45/48 First Aid Box
This place really is worth travelling to Herne Hill to, which must be saying something. The team behind Shrub & Shutter have thickly laid on the pharmacy theme here, with ‘cure-all’ drinks. It’s not an idea which sounds like it should work, and yet, how much better life would be if they were one of the emergency services. Expect ‘saline’ drips, syringes, and the likes of plastic lungs – their take on thirst aid – but rest assured, flavours aren’t medicinal in the slightest. At £8 – 10 a drink, it’s reasonable for London, and wonderful to see a bar really trying something new. Bravo.
Media Wisdom Photography – Giles Christopher
46/48 Nam Long Le Shaker
It gained fame for its celebrity fans, which include Mick Jagger and Prince Harry, but Nam Long has held on longer than most A-list haunts: it’s been going 30 years, and recently was given an overhaul. It’s quite possibly the most Chelsea place imaginable – there are literally MIC cast members floating about – and its a go-to spot to drink far too much and party. The upstairs area is bright, airy, and well looked after by the excellent bartenders, while downstairs – "the Opium Den" – is as it sounds (though there was no opium available when we asked… ) The drinks upstairs were made with more care, but downstairs is more intimate, opulent, and better for a small groups. Some of those Chelsea types who go really are the very worst, and the drinks are outrageously expensive, but hey, it’s a laugh.
47/48 The Vault at Milroy's
A bar through a bookcase: we’re sold. Better yet, it’s underneath one of Soho’s finest whisky shops – with stiff competition from The Vintage House – so if you’re taken with something downstairs, buy it on your way out. It’s a simple little bar and the service is decidedly so-so, but it’s usually pretty busy, they play good music and have an excellent range of spirits. The menu is changed regularly, but it’s a good place to cram into with friends or on a date. You mightn’t spend the entire night here, but for a couple of drinks on the way somewhere, or on the way back, it fits the bill perfectly.
48/48 Bounce
There are two Bounce bars, one on Old Street and one on Holborn. The Old Street spot is a little more fun, graffiti adorning the walls,the Holborn spot somewhat more upmarket. Still, they both deserve a mention, and for the simple reason they’re damned good fun. Drinks here are good, with a decent spirit selection at both (and a huge number of gins in Farringdon) and a respectable selection of beers. Food is fine, simple. Still, you come to play ping pong. They’ve tables everywhere. There’s little to fault with Bounce: it’s a laugh, and sometimes that’s all somewhere needs to be.
