Soho does drinking ever so well. Whether you’re after a cosy spot to settle into for the evening, a secret speakeasy for sipping decadent cocktails, or a fun filled-night of boozy bar-hopping (well, make that several nights – so many bars, so little time!), you’re guaranteed a brilliant night out in Soho.
From intimate wine bars and cosy gin clubs, to Bowie-inspired watering holes and late-night house music, here’s our pick of the best bars in Soho.
Thirteen
Making its Denmark Street debut earlier this year, new cocktail bar Thirteen is the new place to be on the Soho bar scene. Forming part of luxury hotel Chateau Denmark, the new bar is a celebration of hedonistic Denmark Street and its music shops, live music venues and tattoo parlours. Interiors are maximalist, oozing with velvet, dramatic curtains and a statement large-scale print of Damien Frost’s ‘Soho Tableaux’.
The drinks menu captures the spirit and creativity of its neighbourhood, with rare Mezcals, Scotch whiskeys, and playful cocktails on offer – from the from Morning Fury, a non-alcoholic aperitif cocktail, taking influence from the Sex Pistol’s documentary The Filth & the Fury; to Major Tom, a gin and tonic twist served in a highball with lemongrass (and a nod to David Bowie’s Space Oddity).
Fancy something even more special? Dial8, hidden below Thirteen, is their secret underground cocktail bar serving spectacular speakeasy drinks into the early hours. The catch? It’s available for hotel guests and private hire only – perfect for a gathering in one of Soho’s most secret spots.
WHERE: 1-3 DENMARK ST, LONDON WC2H 8LP
WEBSITE: WWW.THIRTEENLDN.COM
The Little Scarlet Door
Continuing the success of their famous house party bars, the team behind the Little Yellow, Blue and Orange Doors brought their newest opening to Soho. And this one’s Scarlet! If, like us, you’re a fiend for great cocktails and excellent company, then The Little Scarlet Door should be on your list. Like all their flats, the vibes are warm and homely – and with shareable cocktails and NYC loft-inspired interiors, this place has all the ingredients for a killer Soho house party.
Expect to sip the night away on signature cocktails like the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Mirabeau pink gin, pink peppercorn and rose served with candy lips), The Last Days of Disco (Appleton 8, Bacardi 8, apricot, pomegranate and grapefruit served with candy floss), and Thomas Crown Affair (Pisco, green chartreuse, sage and lavender served with sage leaves and and edible flower). We’ll take one of each!
WHERE: 12 GREEK ST, LONDON W1D 4DL
WEBSITE: WWW.THELITTLESCARLETDOOR.CO.UK
The Mulwray
The Mulwray is a delight. It’s a wine bar on the edge of Chinatown and a trendy meeting spot for friends and workmates alike.
Recognised most notably as part of The Blue Posts – a pub from the team behind The Palomar at The Barbary – it should be at the very top of your list if you’re a fan of vino, with a changing wine list to reflect the seasons and a focus on sustainable growers and bio-dynamic vines.
It should be at the very top of your list if you’re a fan of vino.
WHERE: THE BLUE POSTS, 28 RUPERT ST, LONDON W1D 6DJ
WEBSITE: WWW.THEBLUEPOSTS.CO.UK/THE-MULWRAY
The Bloomsbury Club Bar
The Bloomsbury Hotel might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a night out in Soho, but The Bloomsbury Club Bar is the jewel in the crown of lavish cocktail bars around town, and it’s a must-try if you’re looking for a night of expertly crafted cocktails.
The bar’s cocktail menu mirrors its past, inspired by the Bloomsbury Set who rejected Victorian ideas of religion and explored new types of spirituality through their art and writing. Each of their 14 cocktails corresponds to a different state of mind or being. Think Flaming Venom to banish envy, Painted Veil to curb your anxiety, and Forbidden Fruit to turn your desire into enduring love. Not sure which to try? The bar’s ‘Cocktail Diviner’ will reveal your emotional state and prescribe exactly the right cocktail to suit your mood.
WHERE: 16-22 GREAT RUSSELL ST, LONDON WC1B 3NN
WEBSITE: WWW.THEBLOOMSBURYCLUB.COM
Disrepute
If you’re after a special location for an impressive first date, after-work drinks or group evening-out, Disrepute is sure to promise a memorable secret bar experience. Tucked away between the hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street and Kingly Court, the entrance is so discreet that if you blink, you just might miss it.
The cocktail list is stunning, the décor is glamorous, and the atmosphere feels super-exclusive – making you feel like you’ve stumbled across one of London’s best kept secrets.
WHERE: 4 KINGLY CT, CARNABY, LONDON W1F 9RR
WEBSITE: WWW.DISREPUTE.CO.UK
Nightjar
With an iconic reputation for breathing new life into forgotten cocktails, Nightjar’s Carnaby location doesn’t disappoint. A hidden basement bar just off Kingly Court, you’d be forgiven for missing it if you didn’t know what you were looking for. With a nightly schedule of jazz, blues, ragtime, funk and swing, you’ll never fall short of a great live music spot in Soho.
The impressive cocktail menu is divided into four sections spanning the history of the cocktail, from Pre-Prohibition and Prohibition to Post-War and Nightjar Signatures. Standout drinks are The Filmograph, a spicy and citrusy mix of cognac, rum, lime and ginger beer, topped with caramel popcorn served in a roll of film; and The Honeymoon – a decadent mix of Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Grand Marnier Louis Alexandre liqueur, geranium leaf syrup, Nightjar forbidden fruit liqueur, Cynar, mead wine and fresh lemon.
WHERE: KINGLY COURT, 49-51 CARNABY ST, LONDON W1F 9PY
WEBSITE: WWW.NIGHTJARCARNABY.COM
Cahoots
With a stellar line up of serenading jazzy pianists, crooners singing in harmony, and DJs spinning the sounds of a bygone era ’til the early hours, Cahoots is the best place for unforgettable 1940s era entertainment in Soho.
Hidden beneath Kingly Court, the bar is set in an ‘underground’ station keeping the camaraderie of the Blitz spirit alive. On the ground floor, the ticket hall is fitted with mismatch furniture, a humongous station clock and a scattering of cocktails and cake. Or, venture on downstairs to the Control Room, Soho’s most well-known speakeasy, and settle in for an evening of live performances and elaborate cocktails.
WHERE: 13 KINGLY CT, CARNABY, LONDON W1B 5PW
WEBSITE: WWW.CAHOOTS-LONDON.COM
SOMA
This bar, courtesy of the team behind Kricket, has fast become a firm Soho favourite. With an extensive drinks list influenced by the Indian subcontinent and beyond, and low-lit luxurious decor, you can see why it’s popular among those who love to do their cocktail sipping in Soho.
With its modern, minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy cocktail bar and 3am closing time, this is a late-night drinking den that’s not to be missed.
WHERE: 14 DENMAN ST, LONDON W1D 7HJ
WEBSITE: WWW.SOMASOHO.COM
The London Gin Club
If you’re looking for the ultimate gin and tonic, an exquisitely-crafted menu of gin-based cocktails and Gin Tasting Flight experiences, then make a beeline for The London Gin Club. With its carefully-curated collection of over 100 gins and super cosy interiors, it’s a warm and friendly spot for gin-lovers to unite in Soho after a long day at the office.
WHERE: 22 GREAT CHAPEL ST, LONDON W1F 8FR
WEBSITE: WWW.LONDONGINCLUB.COM
The Thin White Duke
Open 2pm until 11pm midweek, and until midnight on weekends, The Thin White Duke is the all-day bar that offers music-loving cocktail drinkers some David Bowie-inspired fun in a beautiful Soho venue.
Based on Bowie’s most controversial persona, the space comes complete with café and bar serving coffee, cicchetti and cocktails, two-fully equipped recording studios, and an upstairs space to play host to talks, screenings and workshops. It’s one of Soho’s coolest hangouts and has really set the bar high for the London social scene.
WHERE: 22B GREAT WINDMILL ST, LONDON W1D 7LD
WEBSITE: WWW.THETHINWHITEDUKE.LONDON
By The Handbook
Thirteen
The Little Scarlet Door
The Mulwray
The Bloomsbury Club Bar
Disrepute
Nightjar
Cahoots
SOMA
The London Gin Club
The Thin White Duke
