Featured Links

Romantic Restaurants

The Ship Wandsworth – An Excellent Riverside Gastropub

Posted by Emyr Thomas

If you live south of the river, you might know The Ship Wandsworth as a South-West London drinking institution, boasting a riverside terrace that can regularly be found overflowing with happy locals throughout the summer months.

However, what you might not know is that there’s also a pretty serious restaurant operating from inside this spacious old boozer, serving up food vastly superior to your typical pub grub.

Away from the alfresco revelry is a sprawling but warm dining room, where diners can enjoy the convivial atmosphere of a buzzing local pub while sampling Head Chef Shaun Harrington’s array of fine modern-British cuisine.

We were treated to a pleasingly summery dish of seared scallops, oyster and samphire risotto from the appealing selection of starters, as well as a more robust dish of braised pigs cheeks from the daily specials board.

The scallops were beautifully cooked, with the risotto elevated by a distinct but not overpowering hit of oyster. Pigs cheeks, meanwhile, were outstanding, beautifully tender and swimming in a rich, deep gravy.

A main of seared duck breast, wilted bok choy and blood orange jus was let down slightly by a dollop of spring onion mashed potato, livid green in appearance and disappointingly over-salted.

However, our monkfish cheek wrapped in Parma ham and served with red pepper rouille, braised puy lentils, anchovies and roasted tomatoes was a revelation, an explosion of sunny, tangy flavours revolving around an impeccably cooked piece of fish.

We finished off with a dense treacle tart that might have been a bridge too far after the preceding two courses – a neighbouring table’s banoffee cheesecake looked a lighter alternative. One to remember for next time.

The Ship Wandsworth also offers a more traditional bar menu, serving up the usual array of burgers, sausages and other pub classics, while an outdoor barbecue operates throughout the summer.

If you’ve got time to linger over dinner, however, the main dining room is well worth investigating. Provided you can tear yourself away from the terrace, that is…

The Ship Wandsworth features on Bon Vivant’s guide to London’s best gastropubs and best pubs with terraces.

The Ship, 41 Jews Row, Wandsworth, SW18 1TB

In the meantime, read some of our best London content including our guide to the best afternoon tea, the best boutique clothes shops in London or where to sample the city’s best coffee.

Radio Bar at The ME London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We’re not graced with much warm weather in London, but when the sun does shine through, we maximise every possible ray of sunshine. One place you’ll want to be this summer is the Radio Bar atop the new ME London hotel on Aldwych.

On the 10th floor, Radio Bar has sublime views of London from all directions. When you exit the lift, you are greeted by floor to ceiling windows with London’s famous sights within touching distance.

The terrace lines Radio Bar on both sides, with a selection of tables, lounging areas and larger seating areas for groups. The music and laid back atmosphere helps to create an image of being in the Balearic Islands, with The Thames a good substitute for the sea!

I have to admit that we didn’t love the cocktails on our visit, but there are enough original concoctions to keep you coming back for more, but the wine list is surprisingly reasonable (as are the cocktails at under £10) with a nice Malbec by the glass.

But you come to Radio Bar for the view – Tower Bridge, The Shard, St. Paul’s Cathedral – and to revel in being outside on a rooftop terrace in central London.

For further inspiration, read our guide to the best rooftop bars in London. Sign up to our blog at the link below:

Read our other London bar guides including the best cocktail bars in London and the best beer gardens and terraces.

Buddha Bar London – Restaurant Review

Posted by Vilma

Buddha Bar London opened in Knightsbridge on the former site of the Chicago Rib Shack at the end of last year and its interiors are simply stunning. Two dazzling Chinese dragons made of tiny crystal balls guard the staircase to the restaurant below, where David Begbie’s bronze mesh sculpture of Buddha shines through the darkness and 207 brass Buddha figures watch over the diners.

Set over two floors, the bar and restaurant exude a fusion of colonial, baroque and East meets West style. The food menu blends Chinese, Japanese, Thai and other Eastern flavours with Western tastes and influences.

On the night of our visit the crowd is typical Knightsbridge of East meets West meets Far East meets… London, Moscow and Dubai. Some women are wearing the smallest and tightest cocktail dresses and the highest heels while others are covered in long black clothes and head scarves.

Everyone looks beautiful and glamorous in dimmed light and the clinking of the cutlery and plates are softened by the chill out sounds of Electro-Lounge music.

We start our dinner with two of my favourite Pan Asia dishes – Spicy Edamame (£4) and Chilly Salt Crispy Baby Squid (£8.70), followed by the more adventurous Smoked Duck and Foie Gras Gyoza (£15.50) and Dragon Scallop Steamed in the Shell (£13.60).

I loved the edamame and the squid, but the gyoza dumplings were far too rich for my taste (duck and foie gras dumplings fried in oil might not be the smartest choice for anyone trying to watch their weight). The scallops lacked any flavours and would have tasted much better had they been spicier.

The Crunchy Sushi (6 pieces for £16.20) is a dish I have never tried before and it was an interesting interpretation. Prawn Tempura with Asparagus (6 pieces for £8.90) was delicious, but the true stars of our dinner were the Black Cod Roasted with Lemongrass Miso (£27.90) and the English Beef Fillet with Black Garlic Sauce (£24.50).

Buddha Bars are known for their adventurous cocktails and instead of dessert I had a Pisco Sour spin-off called Clems Sour (Pisco, yuzu juice, agave syrup, egg white, angostura bitter for £10.50). My guest ordered a very complicated Zombie Nation (Eldorado 12ans, Chairman Spiced, Wray Nephew over proof, fresh lime juice, golden falernum liquor, passion fruit and pineapple with touch of bitter creole and Hennessy fine de cognac £16.00). Both cocktails put the final touches to our fabulous and exotic dinner.

Bon Vivant’s clients receive preferential booking at many of London’s best restaurants – contact us now to enquire about our services.

London’s Best New Cocktail Bars – 2012

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London saw some excellent openings during 2012, with another handful of great bars we’re sure will stand the test of time and become must-visits in the capital. Read on for our guide to the best new bars in London.

Oskar’s Bar at Dabbous

Dabbous is the brain child of chef Oliver Dabbous and bartender Oskar Kinsburg. It may take months to get a reservation in the restaurant upstairs, but take note, Oskar’s bar in the basement is rarely full – a hidden gem.

Industrial in style, the bar is beautifully decked out, if a little dark. The menu consists of classic cocktails and Oskar’s own inventions, including some beer based libations that we would definitely recommend trying.

The bar snacks are (unsurprisingly) second to none, mirroring some of the courses on the menu upstairs, making Oskar’s Bar one of the best new bars in London.

39 Whitfield Street W1T 2SF

London Cocktail Club

The first of our 2012 predictions to come true was the opening of a naval themed London Cocktail Club. The second LCC (third venue if you include Covent Garden Cocktail Club) JJ and James have brought their signature laid back atmosphere and feel good cocktails to Bloomsbury.

Rum is the name of the game here, with pin up girls and tattoo designs on the wall. The cocktails follow the same formula as the other venues, with all time classics alongside signature twists and bar snacks designed to complement your drinks perfectly. Go for banging drinks and a great party atmosphere at one of the best new bars in London.

224a Shaftesbury Avenue WC2H 8EB

Evans and Peel

Evans and Peel proved that, despite predictions otherwise, London’s appetite for speakeasy bars remained strong. This time entry comes via a detective agency, with a resident detective who will need to consider your case before allowing you in.

With a sweet little cocktail menu including infusions and an antique radiator that dispenses beer, expect unusual twists along the way.

310c Earl’s Court Road SW5 9AQ

Bounce

Indulge your competitive side by combining your cocktails with a side of ping pong at Bounce. With history on its side (the venue sits on the same site where the game was created in 1901) they’ve gone all out, with multiple ping pong tables including one used in the 2012 Olympics.

The bar, homage to a gin palace, stocks a range of spirits, with a short but concise cocktail list.

121 Holborn EC1N 2TD

Beard to Tail

The long awaited second venue from Callooh Callay came with a distinctly foodie twist. As the name suggests, the menu features all kinds of unusual cuts of meat from pig and cow. The drinks offering has a strong American influence with craft beers and lots of bourbon so expect to find juleps, Manhattans and sazeracs.

Their brunches are well worth a look, if just for their amazing bloody mary, served with a side of crackling at one of the best new bars in London.

77 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3BS

Duck and Waffle / SushiSamba

If you love your cocktails with a side of epic view, Duck and Waffle and SushiSamba are for you. Gaze over London from either of the bars which sit at the top of the Heron Tower, just one super fast lift ride away. Part of the same venue but split over multiple floors each restaurant and bar has its own personality.

Duck & Waffle sits up top, with an inside out bar of sorts, where you can stand alongside the bartender as they craft your drinks. SushiSamba sits beneath and has a stunning roof terrace framed around a beautiful tree, making it one of the best new bars in London.

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate EC2N 4AY

Bar Americain

It isn’t a speakeasy but Bar Americain at Brasserie Zedel oozes 1930s glamour – think Babette’s Supper Club from Boardwalk Empire. The cocktails keep to theme, with classics such as Sazeracs and Martinis on offer.

Visually stunning, although sometimes lacking a little in atmosphere, definitely pull up a bar stool when you visit.

Brasserie Zedel, 20 Sherwood Street, City of Westminster, W1F 7ED

2013 Predictions…

Looking to 2013, keep an eye out for the bar in the shard, sure to rival the heron tower for their views, expect multiple new openings from LCC as the boys build on their empire, and watch out for a potential new bar from Dabbous…

Keep up to date with the latest news from London’s best new cocktail bars by signing up to receive our blog posts below:

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour

Posted by Bon Vivant

Opium dens were prevalent in many parts of the world in the 19th century, but stepping away from the late 19^th century and into December 2012 we can associate an ‘Opium Den’ with a lot less Morphine and a lot more delectable oriental-inspired liquid creations designed to provide a unique sensory experience once you step through the jade door at the Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour is the newest kid on the Gerrard St block, nestled appropriately amongst the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, and the sights and smells that make this little part of London one of the most vibrant.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour features nooks and crannies spread over three floors, with all spaces lending themselves to a different feel – relaxed lounge style seating, an intimate boudoir drinking den for a close crowd, and open plan bars to spread out and escape the intensity of central London, each one providing a feast of flexible drinking and dining experiences.

When I got the opportunity to step into this lush hub of oriental eclecticism last week, I was taken aback by the vast contrast of standing on Gerrard St, then stepping into the dimly-lit, cavernous surrounds of Opium – it provided some respite from the noise outside, and offered the soft mumblings of friendly chatter inside.

I was positioned at the bartenders’ table, where you can watch the masters at work, mixing up luxurious cocktails. It is really a bit magical – wielding apothecary-style bottles instead of wands, and serving up mysterious potions to satisfy even the most hardened cocktail connoisseur.

Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour’s mixologist Dre Masso is the brains behind the stellar line-up of unique cocktails on offer at Opium, and going one step further, he has orchestrated a Cocktail and Dim Sum Pairing- matching his signature drinks to the selection of dim sum and roast meats that make up Opium’s fare.

Through a hint of science and a healthy amount of intuition, each pairing creates a taste sensation greater than the sum of its parts.

I tried a couple of cocktails whilst I was there – the house special, Opium Cocktail No 1, which contains two types of rum, absinthe, mandarin juice, lime juice, kaffir lime juice, kaffir lime syrup, citrus bitters and a ginseng capsule.

It is served bubbling in an interesting drinking apparatus – the perfect blend of theatre, alcohol and perfectly balanced flavours. A must have for the first visit but note the limit of two per person. Something about being told that made me want to have three.

Now enter Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour’s Kung Fu Fiz (pictured above), a dinky china cup packed full of flavour that you are convinced will not work, but it does. It works. It works very well. Champagne, parsnip puree, honey and malt vinegar, served straight up. The parsnip drew me in, and the sweet honey kept me there.

The Scallop, coriander and pea dumplings, pork and prawn dumplings and a couple of cheeky Chinese egg tarts topped off the Opium experience, and puts a much more appealing spin on the trusty ‘dinner and drinks’ combo. Give me opulent Opium Den chic any day.

Address: Opium Cocktail and Dim Sum Parlour, 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1

If you like cocktails, read our guide to London’s best cocktail bars.

Courtney Smith works in the world of consumer PR by day with a passion for food, travel, whisky and all things alcohol related. Hailing from Australia, she travels as often as she can, writing about accommodation, dining and drinking experiences as she goes.

Evans and Peel Detective Agency – London Bar Guide

Posted by Vilma

On Earl’s Court Square, off Earl’s Court Road, third door down past the launderette, there’s a discreet sign – “Evans and Peel Detective Agency”. The door is locked, so I start ringing the bell…

“Hello! I have an appointment at 9:30!” I shout when I hear a woman’s distant voice.

“There is an investigation going on at the moment, please wait on the stairs,” she tells me.

Five or ten minutes go by and finally I’m inside a 1920s detectives’ office (including ancient typewriter, phone and other gadgets). A beautiful lady dressed in a white fur coat sits behind her desk and asks about my case. I mumble something incomprehensible and tell her that a friend of mine will join me shortly.

The lady detective says my guest will have to discuss the case with her, then pushes a bookcase forward and a secret doors opens into a beautifully designed Prohibition-style bar. It’s low-lit, mysterious, warm and filled with delicious smells of smoked fish and meats.

The detective informs me that the tile and brick feature wall behind the bar at Evans and Peel Detective Agency was uncovered in the initial stages of renovation, its entire bar has been crafted from the 250 year old oak of claimed church pews, and theatre seats from the 1930s were shipped over from France.

Tables were made from scaffolding boards, placed on top of antique Singer sewing machine bases, and vintage glass cabinets had their legs removed and were mounted on the walls so that each spirit has its own dedicated cabinet. All tables, chairs, radiators, light fixtures and the eclectic crockery were sourced from flea markets and antique shops, along with the vintage fire extinguishers and taxidermy.

When my friend Konrad finally shows up at Evans and Peel Detective Agency, he tells me that the lady detective with the white fur coat asked him if he had known that I skinned cats. Only when he assured her it did not bother him, she let him inside. Konrad was very impressed with the secret door.

Evans and Peel serves ‘American tapas’ – small plates of rich things such as wedges (£4), mac & cheese (£5) and smoked goats’ cheese fritter with maple syrup (£4). We sampled “The Whole Caboodle” dish – a selection of treats that came on a three tier cake stand (£32). The detectives said that all food is locally sourced and smoking is done in-house using a custom built smoker called ‘The Flapper’.

A prohibition-style bar would never be successful without some fabulous cocktails (all Evans & Peel developed cocktails are priced at £9.50). Auntie May’s Pisco Flip (A Pisco Sour with apple and lemon curd) came in a tea cup and was dangerously delicious.

According to the menu, amateurs should beware of Only the Daring (Whiskey, Campari & bitters) that is for heroes only. G – Minus (Gin, lavender and Earl Grey with orange bitters) is a re-mastered G&T, that combines all English flavours.

There’s a no standing policy at Evans and Peel and they say all clients must be seated for their consultation. But the bar is not a members’ venue and a few tables are left every night for that urgent case solving.

To make sure you’re kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, subscribe to our blog below. You may also want to read about other London cocktail bars including Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane and The Lucky Pig.

Join us as we review London’s best cocktail bars (including Evans and Peel Detective Agency) by following us on Twitter at @BonVivantLiving.

The Best Beer Gardens in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best beer gardens in London.

The Ship, Wandsworth

Housed on the banks of the Thames by Wandsworth Bridge since 1786, with a quiet and relaxing front bar, a large conservatory and an excellent garden overlooking Wandsworth Bridge, The Ship is a lively and sociable spot for summer drinking, making it one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Ship Wandsworth also serves excellent food, much better than your average pub food.

The Gun, Docklands

With a beautiful riverside setting and a large decked terrace to embrace the British summer, The Gun is one of the best dining experience in the Docklands offering a great British pub menu.

In the summer, be sure to visit A Grelha at The Gun, an al fresco Portuguese BBQ of fresh fish and meats on the decked terrace, making this one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Albion, Islington

The Albion is a traditional English country pub in the heart of London, with the main attraction being its garden, one of the best beer gardens in London.

The French windows in the restaurant area open onto a terrace of over 450 sq metres, which can seat over 120 people for dining and drinking surrounded by herb beds, fruit trees and an original Georgian walled garden.

In the summer months, the outdoor barbeque is a real draw, as well as the whole roast suckling pig for 10 to share, making this one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Avalon, Clapham

The Avalon has 3 impressive outdoor spaces, including a front terrace, a side garden and a beautifully landscaped rear garden, which features an al fresco Mediterranean menu complete with charcoal barbecue and rotisserie.

With plenty of space for diners and drinkers, The Avalon the pub of choice for South Londoners with one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Engineer, Primrose Hill

Despite the ample dining space, the bar area is on the small side, but there is respite in the form of a back garden, which is an ideal spot for long summer lunches. The Engineer has one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Windsor Castle, Notting Hill

Covered with beautiful wooden floors and panels, with its labyrinth of connected rooms, the Windsor Castle is an authentic, historic British pub. The relaxed and friendly feel extends to the rear garden with its ivy-clad walls, which is always bustling in the summer.

The Stag, Hampstead

Situated on the Hampstead / Belsize Park border, a short stroll from Hampstead Heath, The Stag’s main selling point is its spacious garden, which is ideal for the summer and also when it becomes a little cooler, as some of the cabanas come with their own heaters.

The stag is known for its decent ales and classic British menu, which also features a barbeque in the garden in the summer.

Drapers Arms, Islington

While the upstairs dining room can feel a little cold, downstairs it is bustling and welcoming with excellent quality cooking, resulting in The Drapers Arms being awarded a Bib Gourmand in the 2010 Michelin Guide.

The terrace at the back of the pub is a much coveted spot when the sun shines making it one of the best beer gardens in London.

The Crabtree, Hammersmith

The Crabtree is a newly refurbished Victorian pub set on the river between Hammersmith and Putney, which has stunning views of the Thames. Although they serve classic gastropub food, the main attraction is the lovely and extensive beer garden, right on the edge of the Thames.

The House, Islington

Nestled on a leafy street, just moments from Upper Street, The House is a pub with higher ambitions in the kitchen. Along with a cosy and intimate interior, there’s a fairly spacious front terrace from which to enjoy a beer in the sun.

To make sure you’re kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, sign up to our blog at the link below to be sure not to miss it!

If you liked this top 10 feature, why not read our guide to the best gastropubs in London, the best brunch in London, the most romantic restaurants in London or the best alfresco restaurants in London?

The Best Hotel Bars in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London’s hotel bar scene has thrived over the last few years with some of the world’s best bar tenders and mixologists at the helm. Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best hotel bars in London.

The Connaught Hotel

The Connaught hotel features two exquisite bars that are ideal for very different occasions. The warmth and intimacy of the Coburg Bar make it a wonderful place to relax after a day at the office or shopping, while the design and the cocktails at the Connaught Bar are perfect for an upbeat glamorous evening with friends.

We highly recommend one of their signature Martinis, making both strong contenders for the best hotel bars in London.

The Library Bar

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough hotel is a destination itself and a perfect place to relax with a cognac to the sound of the grand piano. Immerse yourself in the memory of an almost forgotten era of refinement and sophistication.

The Donovan Bar

The Donovan Bar at Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair is cool, stylish, intimate and a haven for fashionistas. The walls are adorned with Terence Donovan’s iconic black and white prints, which adds a contemporary twist to the history of the surroundings.

The Donovan is one of our picks for the best hotel bars in London.

The Zetter Townhouse

The Zetter Townhouse bar is designed around ‘Aunt Wilhelmina’, a fictional crazy old aunt whose trinkets and artefacts from her global travels fill up the room. The cocktail menu is short but perfectly formed.

Each cocktail is the result of a specific concept, and is the product of multiple experiments a lab to get the final libation just right. The Zetter Townhouse Bar is cool, quirky and certainly one of the best hotel bars in London.

Artesian Bar at The Langham

Situated in the beautifully revamped Langham hotel, the David Collins designed bar is sleek, sexy and dramatic. With its 50 types of rum, Artesian is ideally placed for a post shopping cocktail or a refined haven from the frenzy of nearby Soho.

The Bassoon Bar at The Corinthia

The Corinthia Hotel is situated close to Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament in an old Ministry of Defence building. The Bassoon Bar was designed by famous designer David Collins, where the centrepiece is the piano – not only do they have regular live music but the piano is built into the bar!

The bar is stylish, relaxed and has an excellent cocktail list, making The Bassoon Bar one of the best hotel bars in London.

Max Bar at The Covent Garden Hotel

In the heart of Covent Garden, the focal point of the quaint Monmouth Street, the Max bar at the Covent Garden hotel is elegant, intimate and buzzy. Recline, soak up the British charm and feel right at home.

Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane

Bar 45 is housed in The Dorchester Collection’s new hotel in Mayfair, 45 Park Lane. The bar features a long, black granite bar with an autumnal amber and red colour scheme throughout.

The cocktail menu includes speciality infused vodka and gin creations, and I can personally recommend ‘Pepito’s Revenge’, which is made from tequila and lime with an overriding basil flavour, and the Umami Cocktail, although impossible to accurately describe, is certainly worth a try!

To make sure you’re kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, sign up to our blog at the link below to be sure not to miss it!

If you liked this guide to the best hotel bars in London, why not read our guide to the best London hotels with swimming pools, the most romantic restaurants in London or the best alfresco restaurants in London?

The Hawksmoor Bar

Posted by Vilma

The new bar in the basement of the original Hawksmoor Spitalfields on Commercial Street is a very fashionable and glamorous affair. A dodgy strip club was first turned into a fruit store and this spring has been reborn as a beautiful 60-cover bar, The Hawksmoor Bar.

At The Hawksmoor Bar, polished brass walls are made from the Art Deco lift doors that previously adorned the 1920s Unilever Building in Embankment. The blue-patterned mirrors and teak parquet floor have also been salvaged from the same place.

The walls of the three cosy alcoves are covered with turquoise tiles and made to an original Art Nouveau pattern, while the ceiling of the alcoves, along with the bar top, are clad in copper.

The Hawksmoor Bar is dark, mysterious and funky – quite different from the more official and grown-up steak restaurant upstairs. The prices are also lower down below.

First we tucked into a fabulous Cheeseburger (£8.50) and chips (£4), followed by the Shortrib Nuggets (£6) – so good we ordered another portion without blinking an eye. The waiter confirmed the nuggets were the best seller and seemed to totally understand our unmasked gluttony.

The spiciness of the Tamworth Laab – minced pork with Thai spices that you wrap in lettuce leaves – (£6) cut through the richness of the beef and the nuggets and Jalapeño Coleslaw (£4) added some extra exciting flavours to our feast.

“Eureka!” we had our discovery moment when tasting the cocktail of the same name – Calvados, Sloe Gin & Lime (£8.50) and in order to prepare for the day ahead of us gulped down a couple of glasses of The Morning Glory Fizz – Scotch, Absinthe, Lemon & Soda (£9).

The Hawksmoor bar is an excellent cocktail bar with a food offering to match, as you’d expect from one of London’s best steakhouses.

To make sure you’re kept informed of similar updates on a regular basis, sign up to our blog at the link below to be sure not to miss it!

Read some of our best bar related content including the best speakeasy bars, best hotel bars and best cocktail bars in London.

The Best Speakeasy Bars

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Trends come and go, but Speakeasy bars has shown some staying power over recent years. Here’s our guide to the best speakeasy bars in London and beyond – just remember the password, code or secret handshake.

The Lucky Pig, Fitzrovia

The most recent addition to London’s speakeasy bar scene is The Lucky Pig, hidden away on a lower ground floor in an inconspicuous part of Fitzrovia.

The Lucky Pig is named after the gangster Lucky Luciano, who supplied alcohol to the illegal drinking dens in the United States during Prohibition.

The Lucky Pig offers a mix of classic drinks and experimental cocktails, including ‘Hedgerow Sling’ (Sipsmith Gin, Sipsmith Sloe Gin, lemon, sugar and soda), ‘Strawberry Jive’ (Bloom Gin, lemon juice, orange juice, mint, strawberries & basil) and the fantastic ‘Southside Royal’ (Bombay Sapphire Gin, lime, mint and cucumber, topped with Champagne).

69 Colebrooke Row, Islington

The classy and bijou 69 Colebrooke Row has caused quite a stir on London’s cocktail scene over the last few years. The owner, Tony Conigliaro, who perfected his craft at the Shochu Lounge at Roka, is described as a molecular mixologist, and nobody can argue with his take on the classic cocktail, which are also well priced for London.

69 Colebrooke Row is one of the best Speakeasy bars in London.

Callooh Callay, Shoreditch

Callooh Callay is a Speakeasy bar with an imaginative cocktail menu featuring old favourites and classics in an eclectic space that is as quirky and nonsensical as the Lewis Carroll poem from which it takes its name.

Through a Narnia-esque wardrobe, you are taken to the Jubjub bar, an intimate little room that’s perfect for an intimate party in true speakeasy bars style.

Nightjar, Old Street

Nightjar is a beautiful speakeasy bar hidden away in a basement in Old Street that’s dark and sexy. The cocktails are the real attraction, but the live jazz on selected evenings makes a perfect partner.

Barts, Chelsea

It may take a while to find (what else would you expect from speakeasy bars?) but Barts is worth the effort, discreetly hidden in the lobby of a block of apartments on Sloane Avenue. Once you have found the entrance, an intimate world of decadence awaits in true 1920s style.

PDT (Please Don’t Tell), New York

Recently voted Number 1 in Drinks International’s World’s 50 best bars list, you enter PDT through a phone booth inside Crif Dogs, a hot dog restaurant in the East Village.

While it’s not so secret any more, it’s still worth a visit for one of their signature drinks, the Old Fashioned with bacon-infused bourbon with maple syrup. PDT is one of the best Speakeasy bars in New York.

Prescription Cocktail Club, Paris

Situated in St Germain on the Left Bank, the Prescription Cocktail Club is a dimly lit space split over two levels with a spiral staircase, dangling bowler hat lights and worn leather chairs.

Make your way past the bouncer through the velvet curtains and an excellent cocktail list will greet you at one of the best speakeasy bars in Paris.

Milk & Honey, London and New York

A part of the Rushmore Group of members’ club and bars, Milk & Honey has outposts in London and New York and arguably started the trend for speakeasy bars back in the early 2000s.

Non-members can access the London club with a reservation, but New York can be a little more elusive. Expect excellent cocktails, for sure.

If you want access to similar bars all over the world then join London’s premier concierge service where your own personal concierge will be able to recommend and book on your behalf. Read our guide to London’s best cocktail bars for further inspiration.

For a taste of what we can offer you, subscribe to our blog below: