10
Jan,2026
London’s best hidden bars are right under your feet
You step off the Tube at Covent Garden, tired after a long day, and all you want is a drink that doesn’t cost £15 and doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. You’re not alone. London has hundreds of bars, but the ones worth remembering? They’re tucked away below street level, behind unmarked doors, down narrow staircases, inside old bomb shelters or beneath bookshops. And the best part? Most of them are steps from a Tube station.
Forget the neon-lit clubs in Soho. The real magic happens underground. These spots aren’t just convenient-they’re crafted for people who know London. You won’t find them on Google Maps unless you know the right search terms. But once you find one, you’ll keep coming back.
How to spot a real underground bar in London
Not every basement is a hidden gem. A true underground bar in London has three things: a lack of signage, a vibe that feels like a secret, and a crowd that’s there for the drink, not the Instagram post.
Look for places where the entrance looks like a service door. Or a bookshop. Or a fridge door. Some have no name at all-just a small, faded sign above a staircase. Others require a password on weekends. That’s not gimmickry; it’s how they keep the noise down and the quality up.
Most of these bars don’t advertise. They grow through word of mouth. Ask a bartender where they go after their shift. Or check the comments on r/LondonNightlife. You’ll see the same names pop up: The Laundry, The Backroom, The Library.
Top 5 underground bars near major Tube stations
Here are five real, working, no-frills underground bars you can reach in under five minutes from a Tube stop. All are open until at least 1 a.m. on weekdays, and until 2 a.m. on weekends.
- The Laundry (Covent Garden - Leicester Square Tube) - Hidden behind a laundry cart in a back alley, this place was once a real laundry room in the 1930s. Now it’s a dim, brick-walled space with 20 craft beers on tap and cocktails made with house-infused spirits. The bartenders remember your name after one visit. Order the Smoke & Ash-it’s made with mezcal, smoked sea salt, and blackberry.
- The Backroom (Bank - Bank Tube) - Down a narrow staircase under a shuttered bank vault, this bar feels like stepping into a 1940s speakeasy. No menu. Just tell the bartender your favorite spirit and they’ll make you something. Their gin list is one of the best in the city. Try the London Fog, a twist on a gin fizz with Earl Grey syrup and lemon.
- The Library (Holborn - Holborn Tube) - Walk through a bookshop, turn left past the biography section, and you’ll find a hidden door. Behind it? A candlelit room with floor-to-ceiling shelves, leather armchairs, and a cocktail list that reads like a literary journal. They serve drinks named after obscure poets. The Plath’s Silence (gin, vermouth, lavender bitters) is a favorite.
- 28 Degrees (Oxford Circus - Oxford Circus Tube) - Beneath a vintage clothing store, this bar is carved into a former 1920s cinema basement. The ceiling is low, the lights are warm, and the sound system plays jazz from the 1950s. They don’t take reservations. Just show up. Their rum collection is massive, and their rum punch is the only thing you need on a cold night.
- The Whispering Gallery (St. Paul’s - St. Paul’s Tube) - Accessed through a door marked only with a single candle, this bar sits under the old crypt of a forgotten chapel. The walls are stone, the air is cool, and the drinks are served in vintage glassware. They specialize in pre-Prohibition cocktails. The Old Fashioned with Malt Whisky is made with a 12-year-old Speyside and a single cube of hand-carved ice.
Why these bars survive when others fail
London’s bar scene changes fast. New places open every month. Most close within a year. But these five? They’ve been around for a decade or more. Why?
They don’t chase trends. They don’t have DJs. They don’t sell shots. They focus on one thing: the drink. And the person drinking it.
They hire experienced bartenders who’ve worked in Michelin-starred kitchens or in Tokyo’s backstreets. They source their own syrups. They age their own bitters. They don’t use pre-made mixers. That’s why a cocktail here costs £14-not £22. Because they’re not paying for a branded logo or a fancy light show.
And they’re quiet. Not because they’re boring, but because they’re intentional. You can talk. You can think. You can sit for two hours with one drink and not feel rushed.
What to order-and what to avoid
At these places, the menu isn’t the point. The bartender is. So don’t ask for a vodka soda. Don’t ask for a mojito. You’ll get a polite smile and a drink that’s not what you ordered.
Instead, say this: “I’m in the mood for something dark, bitter, and smooth.” Or: “I like gin, but I want something I’ve never had before.” That’s all you need.
Here are three drinks you should try if you want to taste what these bars do best:
- Smoked Old Fashioned - Whisky, demerara, orange peel, smoked with oak chips. Served in a rocks glass with a single ice cube.
- Sherry Cobbler - A Spanish sherry base, fresh berries, and a touch of honey. Refreshing, complex, and perfect for winter.
- Black Sesame Sour - Gin, lemon, black sesame syrup, egg white. Creamy, nutty, and unforgettable.
Avoid anything with “artisanal” or “handcrafted” on the menu. That’s code for “we bought a bottle of syrup from Amazon.”
When to go-and when to skip
These bars are quietest on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. That’s when you’ll get the best service and the most attention from the bartender.
Weekends? They get busy. Not packed, but enough that you might wait 10 minutes for a table. If you’re going on a Friday or Saturday, show up before 9 p.m. After that, the crowd shifts to the clubs.
Don’t go if you want loud music, flashing lights, or a place to dance. These aren’t party spots. They’re places to sit, sip, and think. If you’re looking for a night out with friends dancing till 3 a.m., head to Shoreditch. But if you want to remember the night? Come here.
How to find more like these
The best way to discover new underground bars is to talk to the people who work in them. Bartenders know where the good spots are. Ask them where they go after their shift. Most will give you a name-and sometimes even a code word.
Also, follow London Bar Guide on Instagram. They don’t post every day, but when they do, it’s always a real place. No ads. No sponsored posts. Just a photo of a door, a name, and a location.
And don’t forget the Tube map. The best bars are clustered around the Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines. That’s where the old basements are. Newer areas like Stratford or Canary Wharf? They have good bars, but they’re not underground. Not yet.
Final tip: Bring cash
Most of these places don’t take cards. Or they charge a 3% fee. Cash is king. Keep a few £10 notes in your pocket. You’ll thank yourself later.
Are these underground bars safe?
Yes. These bars are in well-lit, busy areas with regular foot traffic. They’re not in abandoned buildings. Most have CCTV, staff on-site until closing, and clear exits. They’re safer than many above-ground pubs because they’re quieter and less crowded.
Do I need to book a table?
No. Most of these bars don’t take reservations. They have limited seating, so it’s first come, first served. Show up early on weekends if you want a seat. Weeknights are almost always empty.
Can I bring a group?
Small groups of 2-4 are fine. Larger groups (5+) might not fit. These bars are intimate by design. If you’re with a big group, split up or go to a different spot. Trying to cram six people into The Library won’t work-and you’ll ruin the vibe for everyone.
Are these bars expensive?
Not compared to other London bars. Cocktails are £12-£16. Beer is £6-£8. That’s cheaper than most places in Soho or the West End. You’re paying for quality, not branding. And you get more attention from the staff.
What’s the dress code?
There isn’t one. Jeans and a shirt are fine. Sneakers, boots, even a hoodie. You won’t be turned away. But avoid sportswear or flip-flops. This isn’t a club. It’s a place to relax.
