Best Bars in London

When people ask about the best bars in London, venues where locals gather for authentic drinks, conversation, and atmosphere, not just flashy names. Also known as London drinking spots, these are the places that define the city’s after-dark soul. It’s not about who you see there—it’s about how you feel when you’re inside.

The London nightlife, the mix of underground clubs, cozy pubs, and high-end lounges that come alive after 8 p.m. doesn’t start with a club. It starts with a bar. Whether it’s a dimly lit gin joint in Shoreditch, a wine cellar tucked under a bookshop in Soho, or a rooftop with a view of the Thames, the real scene is built on mood, not music. You’ll find London bars, places where the staff remembers your name and the drink isn’t overpriced just because it’s in Zone 1 in neighborhoods most tourists never walk through. These aren’t the places you find on Instagram ads—they’re the ones locals whisper about over a second round.

What makes a bar great in London? It’s not the neon signs or the DJ spinning house music at midnight. It’s the quiet corner where you can talk without shouting, the bartender who knows when to refill your glass, and the fact that you can walk in at 11 p.m. and still feel like you belong. The London after dark, the city’s hidden rhythm that kicks in when the offices close and the streets grow quieter belongs to those who know where to look. You don’t need a reservation. You don’t need to dress up. You just need to show up.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there—night after night. From the basement jazz bar in Camden where the owner pours you a free shot if you bring a book, to the hidden terrace in Fitzrovia that only opens after midnight, these aren’t generic lists. These are the places that stick with you. The ones you remember because they felt like home, even if you’d never been before.