Bars You Need To Try

London has long been one of the world’s great cocktail capitals. From hidden speakeasies and elegant hotel lounges to intimate neighbourhood bars and contemporary mixology destinations, the city offers an endless number of places to discover exceptional drinks and unforgettable atmospheres. Whether you’re searching for classic martinis, inventive seasonal cocktails or intimate late-night spots, there’s always another London cocktail bar you have to try.

At Saint and Sofia, we love the ritual of discovering a great cocktail bar in London - somewhere with beautiful interiors, incredible drinks and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for one more round. From Soho to Mayfair and East London to Crouch End, here are five London cocktail bars you have to try at least once.

1. Bar Termini, Soho

Tucked away on Old Compton Street in Soho, Bar Termini is one of the most iconic small cocktail bars in London. Inspired by classic Italian café culture, the space combines vintage glamour, exceptional cocktails and intimate energy in a way that feels unmistakably European.

Despite its compact size, Bar Termini has built a cult following thanks to its impeccable drinks and beautifully understated atmosphere. With polished wood interiors, low lighting and bartenders dressed in crisp white jackets, stepping inside feels like discovering a hidden Milanese aperitivo bar in the centre of London.

The Negroni is the drink to order here. In fact, Bar Termini is widely considered home to one of the best Negronis in London. Rich, balanced and perfectly chilled, it captures everything that makes Italian cocktail culture so timeless.

Alongside cocktails, the bar also serves espresso, wine and small plates including charcuterie and Italian snacks, making it the perfect stop before dinner or after an evening exploring Soho.

For anyone searching for a London cocktail bar you have to try, Bar Termini remains an essential destination.

2. Connaught Bar, Mayfair

For a more luxurious cocktail experience, few places rival the elegance of Connaught Bar in Mayfair. Located inside the iconic Connaught Hotel, this award-winning bar has become internationally recognised for both its cocktails and impeccable service.

The interiors are sophisticated yet welcoming, with silver leaf walls, soft lighting and plush seating creating one of the most refined drinking spaces in London.

Connaught Bar is particularly famous for its tableside martini service. Cocktails are prepared directly beside your table from the venue’s iconic black lacquer trolley, transforming the drink itself into a beautifully choreographed experience.

While the martini remains the signature order, the wider cocktail menu constantly evolves with inventive seasonal creations that combine technical precision with understated creativity.

Despite its global reputation, the atmosphere remains relaxed rather than intimidating, making it one of the most memorable luxury cocktail bars in London.

3. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green

For those who prefer neighbourhood cocktail bars with personality and creativity, Satan’s Whiskers in Bethnal Green is one of East London’s best-kept secrets.

Consistently ranked among the world’s top cocktail bars, Satan’s Whiskers combines exceptional drinks with a laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere that keeps people returning again and again.

The interiors feel relaxed and slightly nostalgic, blending vintage décor with old-school hip-hop playlists and candlelit tables. Unlike many highly awarded cocktail bars, there’s no sense of performance here — just genuinely brilliant drinks served with warmth and ease.

One of the most distinctive features of Satan’s Whiskers is its daily-changing cocktail menu. Every day introduces a fresh selection of classic-inspired and contemporary cocktails, allowing bartenders to work seasonally and creatively.

The result is one of the most exciting cocktail experiences in London, particularly for those who love discovering something unexpected.

4. Tayer + Elementary, Shoreditch

Few bars have influenced modern cocktail culture in London quite like Tayer + Elementary. Located in Shoreditch, this innovative venue combines experimental mixology with a more relaxed front bar concept, creating two entirely different drinking experiences within one space.

Elementary, the front section of the venue, offers approachable cocktails on tap alongside a lively, informal atmosphere perfect for casual evenings. Behind it sits Tayer, a more immersive cocktail space where drinks become highly conceptual, creative and beautifully executed.

The bar has become internationally recognised for pushing the boundaries of cocktail making while still ensuring the experience feels welcoming rather than overly technical.

Minimal interiors, contemporary design and constantly evolving menus make Tayer + Elementary one of the most influential cocktail bars in London today.

For anyone interested in the future of mixology, this is a London cocktail bar you have to try.

5. Little Mercies, Crouch End

Away from central London’s busier cocktail scene, Little Mercies in Crouch End offers a more intimate and relaxed experience without compromising on quality.

This award-winning neighbourhood cocktail bar has earned a devoted following thanks to its exceptional drinks, thoughtful service and understated atmosphere. Small in size but hugely ambitious creatively, Little Mercies proves some of London’s best cocktails are found outside the city centre.

The menu balances classic cocktails with inventive house creations using seasonal ingredients and house-made infusions. One standout is the Rhubarb Negroni, made with house gin, Campari and rhubarb vermouth for a beautifully balanced twist on the Italian classic.

The atmosphere feels warm, local and quietly stylish — the kind of place where one cocktail quickly turns into an entire evening.

London’s cocktail scene continues to evolve constantly, but these destinations remain among the best examples of what makes the city so exciting for cocktail lovers. Whether you prefer elegant hotel bars, hidden Soho gems or creative East London venues, each London cocktail bar you have to try offers its own distinct atmosphere, personality and unforgettable drinks experience.