5 Best Bars in London (2026)

Gordon's Wine Bar has been pouring wine in the same candlelit vaulted cellar near Embankment for over 135 years, making it London's oldest wine bar. It runs a large by-the-glass list alongside cheese and charcuterie sharing boards, and its covered outdoor terrace on Watergate Walk gives an all-year alfresco option next to the underground cave seating. It does not take reservations, so arriving early is part of the ritual.

All Bar One Villiers St. is a bar and wine bar near Charing Cross serving cocktails, wine and food from morning brunch through late evening, with cocktail masterclasses available for group bookings. It is part of the national All Bar One chain, which means consistent menus and hours, and reviewers frequently name individual staff members who hosted their visit.

Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration is a Covent Garden cocktail bar built around a Jules Verne-inspired exploration theme, with storytelling cocktails and live entertainment as part of the experience. It is one of several Mr Fogg's venues across London, each with its own theme, and this location doubles as an events and venue-hire space.

The Thirsty Farrier is a seasonal outdoor cocktail bar built from a converted horse box, run by two brothers along the South Bank with direct views of the London Eye and Big Ben. It operates as a pop-up across multiple London locations through the summer months, with cocktail gardens featuring tables, parasols and stools rather than indoor seating.

Walker's of Whitehall occupies a former bank building dating to the 1600s near Trafalgar Square, with vaulted ceilings and a gated wine cellar still visible in the decor. It runs an extensive bar alongside British pub classics like fish and chips, and its location a few minutes from Charing Cross and several West End theatres makes it a common pre-show stop.