The best hotel bars in London

What is it? The elite embodiment of the quintessential hotel watering hole; the kind of place where you might find Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass moodily sipping a Scotch alone at the bar.

Why we love it: Scarfes Bar is tucked away in Holborn's Rosewood London and is so called because legendary British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe’s caricatures and Pink Floyd artwork graces the walls. Despite this playful energy, it's definitely not for kids, with live jazz most nights, an open fire, and shelves stacked with antique books seemingly hand-picked by a wise Portobello Road antiques dealer.

Time Out Tip: Thanks to a new summer collab with cult south London pizzeria D4100 (Dinner for One Hundred), The Rosewood’s is now serving alfresco Italian pies in its adjacent courtyard, should you get peckish. 

Opening hours: Mon-Sun, 5pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: £20-£24 a cocktail.

What is it? A moody yet luxurious drinks spot inside a former police station.

Why we love it: The Kray twins, Oscar Wilde, Emmeline Pankhurst – many a big name has walked through the doors of the notorious Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in Covent Garden. But none will have had such a comfy time as those who check in to the NoMad hotel, which has taken over the Grade II-listed building. Side Hustle is the atmospheric bar with low lights, leather booths, a Californian-inspired menu (try the build-your-own beef short rib tacos) and enough tequila and mezcal cocktails to guarantee a good night’s sleep.

Time Out Tip: Side Hustle is just the tip of the icecube when it comes to the NoMad’s drinks offering. Head downstairs to Common Decency for fermentation-forward cocktails in a subterranean setting.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5pm-midnight, Sun 5-11pm.

Expect to pay: Cocktails typically between £12 and £20.

What is it? An ultra swanky hangout, which easily lives up to the lavish rep of the eponymous Mayfair hotel it calls home.

Why we love it: This is the pinnacle in hotel drinking. Not only is the Connaught Bar draped in plush, silvery furnishings and fitted with a fleet of effortlessly efficient – and extremely dapper – staff, but the place has a dedicated martini trolley. A martini trolley, people! Grab a chair and let the trolley do the rest of the work. You’ve earned it.

Time Out tip: Looking for a couple of tasty accoutrements to your cocktail? Try one of the ‘Elevated Pairings’ on the menu. Think vodka martini with a couple of oysters with mignonette sauce; a gin martini with Siberian caviar; or a Japanese twist on a Rob Roy paired with two tiny tuna tartlets.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 4pm-1am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails start at £25.

What is it? A swish river-side spot from megastar mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana aka Mr Lyan.

Why we love it: This Thames-facing hotel bar in Sea Containers London boasts awesome drinks that make you think. The powder-blue room is lush and cosy, and enjoying a cocktail here is surely the best way to gaze upon the river without having to deal with that pesky breeze. The drinks menu changes yearly, but what you can expect is a blend of ‘fun, clarity and deliciousness’. It was also named the first-ever 3 PIN bar, awarded by the Pinnacle Guide – kind of like Michelin stars for bars. 

Time Out tip: The bar is sandwiched between the Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre, so you’ve got all the culture you could ever want.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight, Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 1pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are around £18.

What is it? Dukes is referenced countless times in cult TV series Industry, which should give you a hint as to the nature of the clientele. Think city slickers knocking back stiff drinks and doing big business in the heart of Mayfair.

Why we love it: If you are looking for a mind-blowingly strong, heartbreakingly delicious cocktail, you’ve come to the right place. Dukes is one of London’s true classic bars, and justly famous for the theatrical presentation of martinis created and brought out on a trolley. But don’t neglect the rest of the list: the level of cocktail skill here is phenomenal. The drinks are among the most expensive in the city, but the bar snacks are fabulous. Take your drinks date through the cobbled streets of St James’s and you won’t fail to impress.

Time Out tip: American author James Thurber once famously said: ‘One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.’ Which is handy, because you’re only allowed to order a maximum of two at Dukes.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 3-10pm.

Expect to pay: A signature tableside martini costs £27.50.

What is it? This bar is basically a grown-up, more chic version of Geordie Shore’s Holly Hagan: fun, fit, and flirty.

Why we love it: Step into The Standard’s bright red bubble lift and ping up to this 10th floor party bar in King’s Cross. It’s tasteful, boujee, and most importantly: vibey. Sweeties’s theme is ‘new wave glamour meets glorious misbehaviour’ – and while we’re not entirely sure what that means, there’s certainly something to be said about the sheer naughtiness this place radiates. One side of Sweeties is decked out with floor-to-ceiling glass, with views that make King's Cross somehow look glamorous.

Time Out Tip: Sweeties runs a ‘Sweet Deal’ happy hour from 5-7pm every night, so head down early to catch the 2-4-1 cocktails. 

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 5pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are £14.

What is it? A fantastic bar which is now run by New York martini specialists, Dante. This quintessential hotel drinking spot is as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as its drinks are appetising to the taste buds.

Why we love it: Claridge’s remains one of London’s best hotels. The downside: everyone knows it, and its beautiful bar can be a little oversubscribed. But on a quiet night, there are few finer spaces in which to enjoy a cocktail, whether traditional or modern. Still, the staff treat everyone with respect and always mix their cocktails with care. The main bar in the flagship restaurant is now a London-offshoot of New York bar Dante, and if the crowds prove too much, the hotel’s Fumoir bar, a cigar-lover’s paradise until the smoking ban, is an elegant escape hatch, as is the dreamy Painter’s Room.

Time Out Tip: Claridge’s happens to be Time Out’s top London hotel for 2026, so if you’re looking for art-deco glamour and old-world naughtiness, why not stay the night if you have the cash?

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Cocktails start at £25.

What is it? ‘Subtle anarchic whimsy’ are the words Sprout uses to describe itself, and eccentricity it has in abundance. Each drink on the menu is anchored to one (often unconventional) ingredient, colour or garnish. 

Why we love it: Tucked into the grand, slightly hushed bulk of the Templeton Garden Hotel, a stone’s throw from the busier end of Earl’s Court, Sprout is quainter than its posh address implies. It’s just the one bar table and a single row of seating and tables opposite. Cosy? Yes. Cramped? A little. But the real trick up its sleeve is the gorgeous garden. The interior feels like a beautifully curated potting shed, complete with hand-painted branches and buds creeping along the wall by mural artist Tess Newall.

Time Out tip: Sprout’s more ‘out there’ drinks offerings aren’t for the faint of heart. If you’re not fond of fishy flavours, we’d recommend giving the anchovy gimlet a pass.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10pm.

Expect to pay: All cocktails are £16.

What is it? The longest-surviving cocktail bar in London, dating back to 1893.

Why we love it: One of London’s original American-style bars and one of the very first places to welcome US cocktail tradition onto British soil, this Art Deco corker needs to be seen to be believed. Smart staff dress in dapper white suits and serve drinks that are among the capital’s finest. One for those really special occasions – as you’ll be dropping loads of dosh per drink.

Time Out tip: The Savoy is a stone’s throw from Somerset House. Head to the palladian palace on the Strand to soak up some sunshine in the courtyard, check out the art hanging on the walls or, in colder months, pop some skates on and head onto the ice.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 12-10pm.

Expect to pay: Cocktails start at £23.

What is it? Once home to the Ministry of Defence HQ, this underground bar located deep inside the OWO helped inspire what is, arguably, one of Britain’s greatest cultural exports.

Why we love it: Furtiveness at this top-secret bar at Raffles makes sense; the hotel is in the Old War Building, where Ian Fleming came up with James Bond when he was a Naval Intelligence Officer. The two rooms – known as 006 and 007 – were once storage vaults for the reports and papers of MI5 and MI6 agents, while the entrance lobby was once a guard room. Naturally, photography is banned in the Spy Bar, and, of course, the best order is for a Vesper martini – Bond’s favourite. 

Time Out Tip: As the only non-members’ bar in London which forbids photography, it’s the perfect spot for a clandestine liaison, should you be that way inclined.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 5pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Cocktails are around £27.

What is it? A subterranean spot which feels more like a quirky neighbourhood joint than a typical hotel bar. 

Why we love it: The basement bar at One Hundred Shoreditch is a relaxed, impressively low-lit and supremely welcoming space. With its terrazzo tables, cool pine panelling and soft 1960s-stylings, the menu comes from bartending legend Mr Lyan, so everything is imaginative and delicious.

Time Out tip: The veggies among us may want to pay closer attention than usual to the menu here; a couple of somewhat alternative ingredients – lamb pancreas enzymes, for example – are made use of in the drinks. 

Opening hours: Mon-Tue closed, Wed-Thu 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat 5pm-2am, Sun 5pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: Cocktails start at £15.

What is it? Velvet by name and velvet by nature, this late night drinking den is covered in appropriately opulent fabric.

Why we love it: Bartending bigshot Salvatore Calabrese, aka ‘The Maestro’, is behind this super luxe drinking destination at the Corinthia Hotel. A Champagne and cocktail spot, the menu is inspired by everyone from Yoko Ono and Banksy to Coco Chanel and Frida Kahlo. You can’t beat the classics though. If in doubt, order Salvatore’s Martini, based on a technique he developed back in the 1980s. 

Time Out Tip: If you’re in the mood to splash out, and we mean really splash out, flick to the ‘Golden Age’ vintage cocktails on the list. The Sidecar, for example, made with Cognac and Cointreau from the 1930s, will set you back £450.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Sat 5pm-1am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails start at £24.

What is it? The Donovan Bar is nestled within London's oldest luxury hotel, Brown’s Hotel. Still, despite being steeped in history, it’s far from fusty, with creative twists on classic cocktails and impressively intricate design touches. One drink even comes with honeycomb-stamped ice cubes.

Why we love it: This stylish cocktail bar in the five-star Brown’s Hotel is named after fashion photographer Terrence Donovan. The walls are lined with his 1960s prints and the menu comes from the Salvatore Calabrese (yes, another one). There’s even a ‘Naughty Corner’ for the bar’s most mischievous guests.

Time Out Tip: Keep an eye open for regular residencies from some of London’s best chefs. 

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 4pm-midnight, Wed-Fri 4pm-1am, Sat 4pm-midnight, Sun 4pm-11pm.

Expect to pay: Cocktails cost around £26.

What is it? Named after the original well beneath The Langham, this ritzy watering hole is committed to cooking up creative cocktails with unconventional ingredients. Think a twist on a negroni made with blue cheese and mushroom, a kale-infused martini or a pine needle highball.

Why we love it: You’ll find over-the-top drinks in an over-the-top room at The Langham’s Artesian, but this level of artistry is still widely considered to make for one of the best bar experiences you’ll find in central London. Canapés are pretty epic, but it’s all about those show-stopping drinks.

Time Out Tip: Turn to the back of the menu for a list of Artesian’s tried-and-tested classics from its previous menus, including intriguing serves like the Pizza, the Peas or the Walnut.

Opening hours: Sun-Wed 4pm-midnight, Thu-Sat 4pm-1am.

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are priced between £20 and £25.

What is it? A classy cocktail joint with Art Deco interiors, which make you feel like you’re walking into a jewellery box. This feels apt for an opulent central London icon like The Ritz.

Why we love it: The menu here is extremely extra – alongside the classics you can order from a selection entitled; Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Planets and Plants. Make ours a Jupiter, which is poured tableside via a portable fountain and then topped up with Champagne.

Time Out Tip: If decision-making isn’t your strong suit, a chunky cocktail menu with lots of options can easily become overwhelming. Swerve the hassle by ordering the cocktail of the month, each of which are designed to ‘embody the taste of the season’.

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-midnight.

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are around £25.

What is it? A gem of a cocktail spot serving cocktails just as dazzling as its pink walls.

Why we love it: If you’re going to live it up in London hotel bars, pick one that looks the part. The Coral Room at the Bloomsbury Hotel is a chic hangout with its hot pink tones screaming to be Instagrammed. Find a booth or sit up at the bar where flirtatious can offer advice on one of the best English sparkling wine lists in London – a fabulous drink for a fabulous setting.

Time Out tip: Tucked away on a central London back street, slip in here for some respite from the bustling tourist crowds. 

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-midnight.

Expect to pay: Most cocktails are priced at £17.

What is it? A two-part bar, with an all-day café and aperitivo-hour Parlour in the front and Fitz’s, the ultra decadent drinking den behind an unassuming side door.

Why we love it: Fitz’s sits inside the Kimpton Fitzroy London, just on the corner of Russell Square. If Rick James and Jay Gatsby got together to throw a bash, we reckon it would look like this. Jazz Age plumage fluffs up from behind chairs while a giant glitter ball hangs from above; the back bar’s arches hint at art deco elegance while bright modern art punctuates the walls; and music drifts from up-tempo funk to mellow jazz. Drinks are, naturally, great.

Time Out tip: The food menu is well worth your attention. The fish finger sandwich is a delicious take on the classic after-school sarnie.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon 12pm-midnight, Tue-Sat 12pm-1am.

Expect to pay: Cocktails range between £17 and £28.

What is it? A reservations-only Mad Men-style hangout where punch-inspired cocktails pair with retro tunes.

Why we love it: One for the fashion set, the London Edition’s bar is a cosy, cosseted backroom with a roaring fire and a party-sized punch bowl. Sounds like a house party at your great aunt’s, but trust us, it’s way chicer than that. Bar staff are uber glam and have some serious knowledge about the menu to boot. 

Time Out Tip: London Edition is around the corner from The Photographers’ Gallery, making the two the perfect pairing for anyone looking to be en vogue.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon closed, Tue-Sat 5pm-12.30am.

Expect to pay: Boozy cocktails from £20; non-alcoholic cocktails from £14.