London doesn’t just serve drinks-it serves experiences. Walk into a hidden speakeasy behind a fridge door in Soho, or perch on a velvet stool at a bar where the bartender knows your name before you do. The city’s cocktail scene isn’t about fancy labels or loud music-it’s about precision, personality, and a little bit of magic. If you’re looking for a night out that feels personal, not packaged, here are the bars that still get it right in 2025.
Bar Termini
Bar Termini isn’t trying to be anything but itself. Open since 2013, this tiny, no-frills spot under a railway arch in Soho feels like a Roman trattoria that somehow turned into a cocktail bar. The menu is short: six classics, two seasonal creations, and a list of Italian wines that change weekly. Their Negroni is the gold standard-equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, stirred with ice for exactly 30 seconds. No garnish. No gimmicks. Just balance. You’ll find architects, musicians, and old-school Londoners here, all leaning in to talk over the hum of vinyl and the clink of glasses. It’s not Instagrammable. But it’s unforgettable.
The Connaught Bar
If you want luxury without the pretension, The Connaught Bar delivers. Nestled in Mayfair, this is where Michelin-starred chefs and international royalty come for a drink after dinner. The bar’s signature, the Coquettes, is a blend of gin, yuzu, and elderflower, served with a single ice cube that’s been frozen around a rose petal. It melts slowly, releasing flavor as you sip. The staff don’t just know your name-they know what you drank last time. They remember if you liked it bitter or sweet. The lighting is dim, the music is jazz from the 1950s, and the atmosphere feels like a private club you’ve been invited to for the first time. It’s expensive-£18 for a cocktail-but you’re paying for expertise, not just alcohol.
The American Bar at The Savoy
Open since 1893, The American Bar is the grandfather of London’s cocktail culture. It’s where the Sidecar was invented, where Noël Coward drank, and where modern mixologists still study the old books. The menu here is a living archive: you can order a 1920s Aviation or a 1970s Harvey Wallbanger, and they’ll make it exactly as it was back then. The current head bartender, who’s been here 17 years, still hand-crushes ice for the Ramos Gin Fizz-a drink that takes five minutes to shake and tastes like cloud foam. The bar doesn’t try to be trendy. It just holds space for history. If you want to understand how cocktails became art, this is where you start.
Nightjar
Hidden down a narrow alley in Shoreditch, Nightjar doesn’t advertise itself. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the neon sign shaped like a bird and hear the low thrum of swing music. The bar is themed around decades-each season, they pick a new era: 1940s Hollywood, 1970s Tokyo, 1990s London. The cocktails match: think a smoky Old Fashioned with lapsang souchong tea or a gin sour with yuzu and wasabi. The staff wear vintage outfits and don’t just serve drinks-they tell stories. One night, you might get a cocktail named after a forgotten jazz singer. Another, you’ll learn how to stir a Manhattan like it’s 1928. It’s immersive without being cheesy. And the crowd? Mostly locals who’ve been coming for years.
The Lonsdale
Most people pass by The Lonsdale without noticing. It’s tucked into a quiet corner of Notting Hill, behind a plain black door with no sign. Inside, it’s all oak panels, leather booths, and a single bar counter lit by brass lamps. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard and changes daily. One week, you might find a cocktail made with smoked apple brandy and black garlic. The next, it’s a mezcal drink with charred pineapple and chili salt. The owner, a former chef, believes flavor should surprise you-not comfort you. There’s no music, no phones allowed, and no rush. You sit. You sip. You talk. Or you don’t. It’s a place for people who hate being entertained and just want to taste something real.
Boilermaker
Don’t let the name fool you. Boilermaker isn’t a whiskey bar-it’s a cocktail bar that happens to love bourbon. Located in a converted warehouse in Peckham, this place feels like a secret society of drink lovers. The menu is split into two sections: classics and experiments. The experiments? They’re wild. Think a gin cocktail with beetroot juice, black pepper, and a splash of kombucha. Or a tequila drink with roasted figs and smoked salt. They serve everything in vintage glassware-no plastic, no straws. The bartenders don’t explain the drinks. They just hand them to you and wait to see your reaction. It’s risky. It’s brilliant. And it’s the only place in London where you’ll leave wondering if you just had a drink or an art installation.
Why These Bars Stand Out
London has over 1,200 bars. Most of them serve good drinks. These six stand out because they care about more than the recipe. They care about the person holding the glass. They care about the silence between sips. They care about the history behind the bottle. They don’t need neon signs or DJ sets. They just need time-time to stir, time to listen, time to remember.
What you’ll find here isn’t a trend. It’s tradition with a twist. It’s not about being the loudest or the flashiest. It’s about being the most thoughtful. In a city that never stops moving, these bars make you slow down. And that’s rare.
What’s the best time to visit these cocktail bars in London?
Most of these bars get busy after 7 PM, but the best seats go to those who arrive between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. That’s when the crowd is still thin, the bartenders aren’t overwhelmed, and you can actually talk to them. Nightjar and The Lonsdale fill up fast-book ahead if you’re going on a weekend. Bar Termini doesn’t take reservations, so show up early if you want a stool.
Are these bars expensive?
Prices range from £14 to £22 per cocktail. The Connaught Bar and The American Bar are on the higher end, but you’re paying for decades of expertise and rare ingredients. Bar Termini and The Lonsdale are more affordable, with drinks starting at £14. Most places offer a “bar snack” for £5-£8-think olives, cured meats, or pickled vegetables-that pairs perfectly with your drink.
Do I need to dress up?
No. Smart casual works everywhere. At The Connaught Bar, you might see people in suits, but you’ll also see people in jeans and a good coat. Nightjar and Boilermaker are more relaxed-think clean sneakers and a button-down. The Lonsdale and Bar Termini are so low-key, you could walk in with a hoodie. Just skip the flip-flops and baseball caps. These places value respect over rules.
Can I get a non-alcoholic cocktail here?
Yes. Every bar on this list has at least two non-alcoholic options. The Connaught Bar’s “No. 5” is a standout-made with cucumber, mint, and house-infused apple vinegar. Nightjar’s “No Spirits” menu changes monthly, often featuring fermented teas and botanical syrups. Bar Termini offers a zero-proof Negroni made with non-alcoholic gin and a touch of orange bitters. These aren’t afterthoughts-they’re crafted with the same care as the alcoholic versions.
Are these bars open on Sundays?
Most do, but hours vary. The Connaught Bar and The American Bar are open daily until midnight. Bar Termini closes at 11 PM on Sundays. Nightjar opens at 6 PM on Sundays and stays open until 1 AM. The Lonsdale is closed on Sundays. Boilermaker opens at 5 PM on Sundays and runs until 1 AM. Always check their Instagram or website before heading out-London bars change hours often, especially around holidays.
What to Do Next
Start with Bar Termini if you want to feel like a local. Try The Connaught Bar if you want to treat yourself. Go to Nightjar if you’re in the mood for a story. Book a table at The American Bar if you want to drink history. Don’t just pick one-try two or three. Each one teaches you something different about what makes a great cocktail. And remember: the best bar isn’t the one with the most Instagram likes. It’s the one where you forget to check your phone.