Best Cocktail Bars in London

London has one of the world's most developed cocktail bar scenes — from the classic hotel bars that have served the same impeccable Martinis for a century to innovative East London speakeasies changing their menus weekly.

Classic Hotel Bars

The Connaught Bar in Mayfair consistently tops global best bar lists — Agostino Perrone's Martini trolley is a London institution. The American Bar at The Savoy opened in 1893 and is a pilgrimage for any serious cocktail drinker. Both are expensive and both require walking the fine line between overdressed and casual. These bars reward booking in advance.

Soho & West End

Soho has the densest concentration of cocktail bars at mid-range prices — several of the world's most-awarded bartenders have small, unpretentious places here. Bar Termini near Old Compton Street is worth noting: an Italian-style café-bar known for its Negroni programme, tiny, always busy, doesn't take reservations.

East London Speakeasies

Shoreditch and Dalston have several basement and hidden-entrance bars that change their creative menus seasonally — these tend to be where the experimental work happens, often without a strong brand but with real technical ambition. Best found through current bar listings from Eater London or Class Bar Magazine rather than static recommendations.

Tips

• Book hotel bars (Connaught, Savoy American Bar) well in advance — they fill on most evenings.
• Bar Termini in Soho is small, excellent and doesn't take reservations — go early or queue.
• The best East London speakeasies change too quickly for any static list to stay accurate — check current press.
• London cocktail bars generally don't have cover charges but drinks will be £14–20 at the top venues.