Bars and Nightclubs

In an area of East London not short of bars, this basement room is hugely popular, with a lively vibe, great cocktails and wonderful service. Innovative drinks show a tight grasp of cocktail fundamentals.

The sign outside this bar has the motif Aviators, a pair of crossed pistols and a Steadman-esque bat. Inside, the dimly-lit neighbourhood drinking den has a restrained art deco style, with walls decorated in enormous pieces of taxidermy.

This historic pub dates back to 1663, and still has the original shutter-window bar and bulls eye glass panels. Guests should be warned about the ghost of a Spanish barmaid, who hanged herself in the cellar over an unrequited love for the publican. There’s also a chap in Cavalier uniform to be aware of; he’s often seen crossing the room in the main bar before vanishing into a pillar.

Indelibly linked with the legend of Jack the Ripper, this drinking den has hardly changed since his last victim left the pub in November 1888. Staff often report alarming encounters with an old man dressed in Victorian clothing. The interior still focuses on historic charm. Paintings on the wall and a neon light behind the bar are the only modern signals in an otherwise chintzy room with armchairs and warped wooden floorboards.

This venue is a wonderful five floored former building merchants situated on the corner of London’s Jewish Quarter. Delightful textures and wallpapers adorn the walls, which are complemented by a mixture of parquet and original oak floorboards.

The House is served by large sash windows, which provide great natural daylight and a number of differently themed rooms with varying colour schemes. The House has been hugely popular within the fashion industry but is equally effective as a filming location. There is also a beautiful back yard, which is perfect in summer.

Enjoy a baptism of exquisite cocktails at this vibrant South London space. Playing homage to sacred beverages, this cocktail den has been designed to mirror the flavours of its local community.

This Shoreditch space is housed within a five-star hotel, and comes complete with a fabulous rooftop bar. Frequented by architects, designers, fashionistas, film and music stars, the former printing factory spans seven floors and a basement.

A Kentish Town icon, this backstreet boozer is listed by English Heritage. The pub dates back to the mid-nineteenth century. The joyously unmodernised main bar is steeped in history, with its weathered wood and traditional décor. There’s also a conservatory at the back, with outdoor tables for summer events.

Down a little side street in Deptford lies the opening to this impossibly charming, brilliant and quirky bar. The interior is homely, with cosy furnishings, a laid back atmosphere and an excellent cocktail list. Where else in London, or anywhere else for that matter, would you find such delights as Campari, tonic and Babycham (the Lady Diana), FOUR different types of rum served with ginger beer (the Sir Francis Drake) and Liquor 43 – semi-skimmed milk and a cinnamon stick (the Princess Beatrice)?

This unique bar takes its design and inspiration from the Belle Époque era (1890-1914), when peace and prosperity in Paris and London allowed the arts to flourish, and many masterpieces of literature, music, theatre, and visual art gained recognition. Original Victorian floorboards cover the entire area, with gold-trimmed burgundy theatre curtains filling the length of the performance space while gold leaf Mulberry Damask fabric hugs the walls surrounding the fleur-de-lis tin-clad bar and ceiling.