London
Five London Cocktail Bars You Need To Try
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For cocktail connoisseurs, London is the mecca of mixology – so, where to start? We’ve compiled a list of our top five destinations for sampling London’s finest libations.
1. Bar Termini
Our first stop lands us in the beating heart of the Big Smoke, where Bar Termini brings a little slice of Italy to Old Compton Street. With just 25 precious seats, this pocket-sized bar is a haven for Negroni lovers – we challenge you to find a better one in all of London. The vibe is authentically, unmistakably Italian, with slick bartenders clad in pristine white serving up drinks alongside plates of delicious charcuterie. Whether you’re in need of a double espresso or a double whisky, you’re in safe hands at Bar Termini.
2. Connaught Bar
Next, for a taste of true London luxury, hail a black cab and make a beeline for Mayfair. Yes, it’s located in a five-star hotel, but there’s nothing stuffy about the Connaught Bar; you’ll be warmly welcomed with open arms and capable hands. Famed for its bespoke martini service, where drinks are masterfully mixed tableside from the iconic black-lacquered trolley, drinking at this award-laden venue is a ceremony of class and comfort. Whether you’re sipping on a signature martini or raising a flute of fizzing champagne, there’s no finer place to sink into boozy bliss.
3. Satan’s Whiskers
From grandeur to grunge, our tipple tour resumes in London’s edgy East. A short meander from Bethnal Green station, you’ll find this venue’s graffiti-scrawled exterior illuminated by the ominous red glow of its moniker above the door. Expect to queue to gain access to the inner sanctum – we promise it’s worth the wait. Candle-lit tables cast flickering light across exposed brick walls, an array of taxidermied animals keep a watchful eye on proceedings, and a curated hip-hop playlist rounds off the brilliantly eclectic atmosphere. Satan’s Whiskers is all about delivering exceptional classics, with a devilish twist, while the ever-changing menu ensures there’s always something new to sip. Whatever your poison, it would be a sin to miss this one.
4. A Bar With Shapes For A Name
Staying East for one more pit-stop, we make our way to Dalston, where you’ll find a bar that’s as minimalist in name as it is in design. Known simply as “Shapes” to regulars, this Bauhaus-inspired gem is all about clean lines, geometric forms, and a primary colour palette that extends to the staff uniforms. Oh, and if you’re having any trouble finding it, the bar’s signage is quite literally a yellow triangle, red square, and blue circle. A must-try tipple? The Kasimir: a fusion of vodka, centrifuged organic peach yoghurt, and a few drops of absinthe, it’s theatrically served over a large ice cube containing a light prism. Bursting with bright, fruity flavour, this cult-favourite cocktail is impossibly silky and endlessly sippable.
5. Little Mercies
Last stop? Crouch End, where Little Mercies offers a port in the storm of the capital’s chaos. Don’t let the sleepy village locale fool you – this bar couldn’t be more serious when it comes to slinging out world-class cocktails. The drinks here are anything but ordinary, with the menu spanning tried and tested classics to in-house innovations. A firm favourite is the Rhubarb Negroni, crafted with their very own house gin, Campari, and seasonally made rhubarb vermouth – consider it your fast-acting antidote to urban exhaustion.
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