Best Cocktail Bars in London

When you’re looking for the best cocktail bars in London, venues where skilled bartenders craft drinks with precision, creativity, and personality. Also known as craft cocktail spots, these aren’t just places to grab a drink—they’re experiences shaped by culture, ingredient sourcing, and barroom chemistry. You won’t find generic vodka sodas here. Instead, you’ll get drinks made with house-infused spirits, foraged herbs, and syrups brewed in small batches. These bars don’t just serve alcohol—they tell stories in a glass.

The craft cocktails, handmade drinks that prioritize flavor, technique, and unique ingredients over mass production. Also known as artisanal cocktails, they’re the heartbeat of London’s modern drinking scene. Think smoky mezcal stirred with black garlic syrup, or a gin sour with lavender honey and edible flowers. These aren’t gimmicks—they’re the result of years of training, trial, and obsession. And the people behind them? Many are women who own or lead these spaces, turning bars into community hubs. You’ll find them in Peckham basements, Soho alleyways, and rooftop decks with views of the Thames. They’re not just mixing drinks—they’re building culture.

It’s not just about the drink. It’s about the London nightlife, the rhythm of after-work drinks, late-night gatherings, and spontaneous nights out that define the city’s social pulse. Also known as urban evening scene, it’s where people unwind, connect, and celebrate. The best cocktail bars in London know this. They stay open late, welcome solo guests, and don’t charge crazy markups just because you’re a tourist. They’re the spots locals whisper about—where the music’s just loud enough, the ice is fresh, and the bartender remembers your name. Whether you’re after a quiet corner for conversation or a buzzing bar with live jazz, there’s one that fits your mood.

And if you’ve ever wondered why some cocktails cost more than others? It’s not the alcohol. It’s the time. The labor. The sourcing. The fact that someone spent weeks perfecting a single syrup. That’s the difference between a drink and an experience. The best cocktail bars in London don’t just serve drinks—they serve intention.

Below, you’ll find real picks from people who know the scene: head bartenders, regulars, and locals who’ve been there since the beginning. No fluff. No tourist traps. Just the bars where the drinks are worth remembering—and the nights are worth repeating.