AMAZING BARS AND EVEN MORE AMAZING DRINKS

Red Room at The Connaugh

Behind a velvet curtain in the depths of The Connaught sits Red Room – a wine bar serving up red-themed artworks, an impressive wine list and inventive cocktails."

Red Room is the first bar to open at The Connaught in over 10 years, a move made even more exciting when you consider that the hotel’s main bar has been named the best bar in Europe twice as well as winning the World’s Best Bar 2021.

Bryan O’Sullivan – whose past projects include The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s and The Berkeley Bar – is the man behind the striking interiors. He aimed to create a space that feels like you’re relaxing in the living room of an art collector; with plump sofas, curved walls and a soft colour palette of pastel pinks, creamy neutrals and greens lending the perfect canvas to the pieces on display.

As for the art, you’ll find an all-female line-up – Louise Bourgeois’ ‘I Am Rouge’ sits proudly above the marble fireplace, alongside works from Jenny Holzer, Trina McKillen and young Vietnamese artist Ti-a Thuy Nguyen.

La Goccia

Location: Covent Garden

In the heart of Covent Garden, this cosy drinking den is the latest venture from the Boglione family, founders of Petersham Nurseries. Enter through a red velvet curtain for interiors inspired by the horticulture roots of the family.

Francesco Boglione’s art collection of contemporary botanical paintings lines the walls, the sleek bar is made up of hundreds of hand-dipped bronze leaves, and there are dried flower displays and foliage on almost every surface.

Take a seat on a leopard-print bar stool with gnarled metal legs inspired by tree branches, or in an alcove lined with velvet sofas and distressed leather chairs.

Booking Office 1869

Location: St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London

Now here’s one of London’s truly great spaces. Once the – you’ve guessed it – ticket hall for the original St Pancras train station, this was first unveiled as a bar in 2011, part of Harry Handelsman’s hugely ambitious (and very welcome: it might have been demolished) transformation of George Gilbert Scott’s red-brick Victorian masterpiece into the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

The gothic revival architecture reels and rolls all around, with cathedral-sized windows, corniced ceilings, brick arches and enough oak panelling to supply a decade of BBC period dramas.

Viajante 87

Location: Notting Hill

Notting Hill is not shy of new openings – and it hasn’t taken long for developers to notice the potential of Hillgate Village as a new culinary hub. After the successful launch of Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant Los Mochis in 2021, restauranter Markus Thesleff quickly set his sights on a new project. In January 2023, sustainable bar Viajante 87 opened its doors on Notting Hill Gate.

Taking inspiration from the same pan-Pacific countries as its sister restaurant, the vibe here is an Agaveria-come-Izakaya. Squirrelled away down a dark staircase, this intimate hideout is a creative haven: low-mood lighting, a back-lit bar made of recycled glass and an undulating feature wall made entirely out of cork. The bar has a 2am music licence, so expect plenty of bass-heavy tracks run by DJs.

The Painter's Room at Claridge's

Location: Claridge

Turn left through the lobby, turn right when you meet the rocking zebra then turn left when you see Kirsten Scott Thomas. The directions will make sense when you visit Claridge’s elegant new drinking den, anyway. It’s an Art Deco lozenge of a space, carved out between the ballroom and the Talking Heads gallery of portraits (hence Kirsten’s appearance) and means you can now bar-hop your way around the Mayfair hotel, from its original drinking hole to the Fumoir and then here.

The Painter's is a lovely place to while away an hour or so, the pale pink onyx of the counter as luminous as Venus in her scallop shell, with cornetto wall lights and the metal Paris Metro-like skylight above holding an intricately rolled Deco chandelier.

Bar Crispin

Location: Kingly Street

When Dominic Hamdy and Oliver Hiam (also behind Lundenwic on Aldwych) opened Crispin, an all-day eatery serving speciality coffee and pastries from The Dusty Knuckle in the morning and wines and seasonal plates in the evening, it was an instant hit. Then lockdown came, and the team quickly started selling natural wines via the Crispin Wine Club.

Now they’ve brought their Spitalfields vibe and knowledge of interesting, fresh and funky bottles from old-world and small indie producers to Kingly Street.

Atrium Bar At Nomad London

Location: Covent Garden

There aren’t that many bars with their own cocktail books. The Savoy has one, of course, written in 1930 and awash with flips and rickeys and slings of all shades; so has the Café Royal, published a few years later and championing novel creations such as the Old Fashioned.

Scarfes Bar

Location: Covent Garden

Honouring the British political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, whose designs line the walls and cocktail menu, this central bar is the Rosewood’s bona fide anchor in the city – a reason to visit for those not hunkering down in one of its marble-clad rooms. It's sexy. Moody Victorian parlour meets gentlemen’s club, with a fresh lacquered lick of modern cool.

The Berkeley Bar and Terrace

Location: Knightsbridge

From a vintage champagne tucked away in a French cellar to the single malt secrets poured down through generations, every drink at The Berkeley Bar & Terrace has a tale to tell.

Discover a small-batch rum with a big personality or enjoy a single glass of red courtesy of Coravin. Explore short runs and limited editions or re-acquaint yourself with long-forgotten favourites. Every item on the carefully curated menu has been selected for its one-of-a-kind character.

Continuing our celebration of craftmanship is the bar itself – spacious and cosy in equal measure. Inside, carved plasterwork, coral tones and curved edges set an elegant scene, with wooden accents that were hewn from a single tree. Then there’s the alfresco Terrace, the insider’s outpost.

The Fumoir Claridges

Location: Claridge

Discreetly tucked away in Claridge’s art deco interior, The Fumoir is where those in the know have enjoyed a quiet drink in London since 1929.

By day, sip a cappuccino and snack on Claridge's fried chicken. Come by for pre-theatre drinks such as a signature Fumoir Negroni. Or drop in for a vodka martini nightcap, perfectly mixed and served in an ice-chilled glass. As William Klein portraits gaze down moodily from the walls, this is a place to settle in, enjoy a luxurious cocktail and relish the moment.

The Library At The Ned

Location: City of London

An intimate Champagne and martini bar for Ned's Club and Ned Friend members, tucked behind a sweeping jacquard curtain on the ground floor. Featuring 30 Champagnes, a martini trolley and a selection of classic Club cocktails. Guests can enjoy a Club Martini or create their own, selecting from an extensive list of gin, vodka and vermouth.

Beaufort Bar At The Savoy

Location: The Strand

The dramatic jet-black and gold décor of the Beaufort Bar provides the perfect setting for glamour and luxury. Open from Thursday to Saturday nights, with a DJ playing sultry tunes after dark, the Beaufort Bar is the most charismatic of London locations to enjoy creative cocktails, prestige spirits and rare vintages.

KOL Mezcaleria

Location: Mayfair

Championing the diversity of Mexican spirits – crafting unique cocktails infused with wild, seasonal ingredients sourced from the British Isles, like homemade sloe mezcal.

The Antojitos menu, literally translated as ‘little cravings’, showcases Santiago’s interpretation of traditional Mexican street food and delicacies from indigenous communities throughout the country.

Harry's Bar

Location: Marylebone

As well as the main dining room, with luxurious banquettes and bright, colourful artwork, there’s a stunning, wood-panelled bar serving exceptional Italian wines and classic cocktails with a Harry’s twist – just look at the Infinite Negroni and Harry’s Limoncello Spritz.

Should you prefer to do your dining alfresco, that’s no problem. Our beautiful outdoor terrace is the perfect place to soak up the vibrant atmosphere of St. Christopher’s Place at your leisure during the warmer months.

lucky cat

Location: Mayfair

Lucky Cat, located in Mayfair, is inspired by Tokyo's 1930s kissas and Shanghai's drinking dens. These nocturnal music clubs became the playground of the urban youth seeking all things extravagant, new and cutting edge. Asian inspired small plates, Robata grilled dishes, sushi and sashimi are crafted in the open kitchen and signature raw carve bar. Each dish is designed to be shared.