Tasting Flights in London: Best Champagne, Wine, and Cocktail Experiences

When you think of tasting flights, a curated sequence of small pours designed to let you compare flavors, styles, and origins in one sitting. Also known as tasting menus, it’s how London’s best bars and venues turn a casual drink into a real experience. It’s not just about drinking more—it’s about drinking smarter. Whether you’re sipping your way through sparkling wines in Mayfair, exploring natural wines in Islington, or trying five different gin expressions in Shoreditch, tasting flights give you the power to explore without commitment.

What makes a good tasting flight in London? It’s not just the drinks. It’s the story behind them. A champagne flight, a set of three to five champagnes served in order of style, from brut to rosé to vintage. Also known as champagne tastings, it lets you feel the difference between a grower’s small-batch bubbly and a big-name house blend. You don’t need to be an expert—you just need to pay attention. Same goes for wine pairing dinners, a meal where each course is matched with a specific wine to enhance flavor. Also known as food and wine events, it turns dinner into a sensory journey. And if you’re heading to a mixology class, knowing the basics of cocktail ingredients, the core components like spirits, acids, sweeteners, and bitters that form the backbone of every drink. Also known as bar essentials, it means you won’t just be shaking blindly—you’ll understand why your cocktail tastes the way it does.

London’s tasting scene isn’t just for snobs. It’s for people who want to know what they’re actually drinking. You’ll find flights at hidden speakeasies, rooftop bars with city views, and even a few wine bars tucked into backstreets in Peckham. Some places serve them with cheese, others with chocolate or oysters. The trick? Ask what’s seasonal. Ask what the bartender loves. Ask why they picked those three pours. The answers will surprise you.

And if you’ve ever walked into a bar and felt lost between the labels, tasting flights are your cheat code. They cut through the noise. No more guessing if that £12 glass is worth it. You get to try five things for the price of two. You get to say, ‘I didn’t like that one, but this one? This one’s mine.’ That’s the magic. It’s not about being fancy. It’s about being curious.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve done the tasting, asked the questions, and figured out where the best flights actually are—not the ones with the fanciest glasses, but the ones that make you lean in and say, ‘Wait, let’s do that again.’ Whether you’re after champagne that pops, wine that sings with food, or cocktails that teach you something new, you’ll find it here. No fluff. No marketing. Just what works in London’s real nightlife.