How to Build a London Cocktail Crawl Based on Your Spirit Preferences

Start with what you actually like to drink

Most people think a cocktail crawl is about hopping between fancy bars and trying everything. But if you hate gin, why force yourself into five gin-focused spots? A real cocktail crawl matches your taste. It’s not about checking boxes-it’s about enjoying drinks you actually love while discovering new ones that fit your palate.

Start by asking yourself: what spirit do you reach for first? If you grab a bottle of gin at home, you’re probably into botanicals, citrus, and crisp finishes. If your go-to is bourbon, you likely prefer warmth, caramel, and spice. This isn’t guesswork. Think back to the last drink you ordered that made you say, "That’s perfect." What was in it? That’s your compass.

Map your spirit to London’s bar scene

London has over 1,200 cocktail bars, but not all are created equal. Some specialize in one spirit. Others mix everything-and that’s where you get lost. Instead of random listings, target bars known for the spirit you love.

If you’re a gin fan, head to The Botanist in Soho. It’s not just a name-it’s a full botanical experience. They have over 50 gins on offer, all sourced from small UK distilleries. Their signature drink, the London Botanical, uses house-infused lavender and rosemary. It’s not just a gin and tonic-it’s a garden in a glass.

For rum lovers, The Rum House in Shoreditch is a must. It’s tucked away behind a bookshelf, feels like a secret club, and has over 200 rums from Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. Try the Spiced Old Fashioned-it’s dark, smoky, and sweet without being cloying.

If whiskey is your thing, The American Bar at The Savoy still leads the pack. They’ve been pouring whiskey cocktails since 1893. The Penicillin, made with blended Scotch, honey-ginger syrup, and lemon, is a modern classic. It’s smoky, spicy, and bright all at once.

And if you’re into tequila, head to The Mezcalero in Covent Garden. It’s small, loud, and packed with locals. Their Mezcal Margarita uses a 100% agave reposado and smoked sea salt. It’s not sweet. It’s earthy. And once you taste it, you’ll understand why tequila isn’t just for shots.

Plan your route like a local

Walking between bars is part of the fun-but only if you don’t waste time. London’s public transport is great, but walking lets you feel the city. Pick a zone and stick to it.

Try this route: Start in Soho for gin, walk 15 minutes to Covent Garden for tequila, then hop on the Tube for two stops to Shoreditch for rum. That’s three bars, one spirit each, under three hours. You won’t be exhausted. You’ll be energized.

Don’t try to cram in five bars. Three is the sweet spot. Too many and you start tasting with your eyes, not your tongue. Too few and you don’t get the rhythm of the crawl.

Pro tip: Book a table at your first bar. London’s top cocktail spots don’t always take walk-ins, especially on weekends. Call ahead. Say you’re doing a spirit-focused crawl. Most bartenders will help you plan the rest.

Ask the right questions at each bar

You’re not just drinking-you’re learning. Bartenders in London know their stuff. Don’t just say, "What’s good?" Ask better questions.

At a gin bar: "What’s the most unusual botanical you’ve used this month?" They might tell you about a batch infused with wild thyme from Kent or blackcurrant from Norfolk.

At a rum bar: "Which rum do you think gets overlooked?" You might hear about a 12-year-old Demerara rum from Guyana that’s rarely imported. It’s smoother than most aged rums and costs half the price of the big-name bottles.

At a whiskey bar: "What’s a cocktail that changes the way people think about Scotch?" The answer might be a Smoked Old Fashioned with a hint of lapsang souchong tea. It sounds weird. It’s brilliant.

These questions turn a drink into a story. And stories stick longer than flavors.

Know when to stop-and what to do next

There’s a difference between a great crawl and a hangover. Pace yourself. Sip water between drinks. Eat something salty. Most bars serve small snacks-olives, pickled vegetables, nuts. Grab them. They help.

And if you find a drink you love? Ask for the recipe. Write it down. Or take a photo. You’ll want to recreate it later.

After your crawl, you’ll know more than you did before. Maybe you discovered you love smoky tequila. Or that you hate over-sweetened cocktails. That’s progress. Next time, you’ll go back to that one bar and try their seasonal special. Or you’ll find a new bar that matches your new favorite spirit.

Build your own repeatable system

This isn’t a one-time thing. Turn your crawl into a habit. Keep a simple list: Spirit | Bar | Drink | Notes.

Example:

• Gin | The Botanist | London Botanical | Lavender-forward, perfect for spring
• Rum | The Rum House | Spiced Old Fashioned | Smoky, not cloying-ideal for winter nights
• Tequila | The Mezcalero | Mezcal Margarita | Smoked salt changes everything

Update it after every crawl. Over time, you’ll build a personal guide to London’s best drinks-tailored to your taste, not someone else’s list.

Why this works better than any online guide

Online lists are generic. "Top 10 Cocktail Bars in London" doesn’t care if you hate gin. They just list the most Instagrammed spots.

Your crawl works because it’s personal. It’s built on what you already know you like. That makes every drink feel like a discovery, not a chore. You’re not chasing trends-you’re deepening your own taste.

And when you finally find that one bar, that one drink, that one moment where everything clicks? That’s the whole point. Not the number of bars. Not the photos. Just the flavor.