Stage 6 · London after dark

Cocktail bars in London

The best cocktail bars in London include Satan's Whiskers, Waltz, Bar Termini, Tayēr + Elementary and The Connaught Bar, all strongly rated in 2026.

Part 19 of 23 2 mins read Published Nov. 26

Written by the Escorts Love team, who arrange bookings across London.

The short answer

The best cocktail bars in London include Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green, Waltz in Shoreditch, Amaro Bar in Kensington, Bar Termini in Soho, Tayēr + Elementary in Shoreditch and The Connaught Bar in Mayfair. All of them were placed on the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for 2026, which named 25 London bars in total, and Satan's Whiskers took third place overall, ahead of every other bar in the capital.

East London

Satan's Whiskers is a friendly neighbourhood bar with a menu that changes daily, and it is often a tough table to get. Tayēr + Elementary on Old Street has two parts: the front bar, Elementary, is a walk-in space with fast, excellent drinks, while the back room, Tayer, is more experimental and can be booked. Waltz in Shoreditch and Equal Parts in Bethnal Green also made the 2026 list, so you could happily spend a whole night here without getting on a bus.

Soho and the West End

Swift in Soho is a very good two-for-one, with a brighter room upstairs and a darker bar downstairs. Bar Termini is a tiny Italian-style bar famous for negronis and coffee. Three Sheets, Kwãnt in Mayfair, Side Hustle in Covent Garden and Bar Kinky in Fitzrovia were also on the list.

Hotels and the South Bank

The Connaught Bar remains the most glamorous of the group, known for martinis made at a trolley and for its strong showing on Europe's bar rankings in 2026. Lyaness, in the Sea Containers building on the South Bank, comes from the bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana and sits right beside the river. Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London in Holborn is a good choice for a relaxed evening with a fire and live music.

Tips before you go

Book ahead where you can, especially at the smaller places, and go early if you are hoping to walk in. Menus and prices change regularly, so check first. For places where the door is half the fun, see our speakeasy bars guide. A great drink is also a relaxed way to begin an evening with a date, and you can browse our ladies and call us with her name and a time.

Common questions

What are the best cocktail bars in London?

Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green, Waltz in Shoreditch, Amaro Bar in Kensington, Bar Termini in Soho, Tayēr + Elementary in Shoreditch and The Connaught Bar in Mayfair are among the best. All of them were placed on the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for 2026.

Which is the top-ranked cocktail bar in London?

Satan's Whiskers took third place overall on the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars list for 2026, ahead of every other bar in the capital. It is often a tough table to get.

Do you need to book London cocktail bars?

Book ahead where you can, especially at the smaller places, and go early if you are hoping to walk in. Elementary, the front bar at Tayēr + Elementary, is a walk-in space.

Where are the best cocktail bars in east London?

Satan's Whiskers and Equal Parts in Bethnal Green, and Tayēr + Elementary and Waltz in Shoreditch, are the ones to know. You could happily spend a whole night here without getting on a bus.

Which London cocktail bar is the most glamorous?

The Connaught Bar in Mayfair is the most glamorous of the group, known for martinis made at a trolley.

All guides

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