Secret Bars In London
The Mayor Of Scaredy Cat Town
We are at the entrance of a well-known restaurant group asking the waiter to see the mayor of scaredy cat town. We are convinced that he will think we are mad, drunk or worse tell us to leave his restaurant. Instead, he asks us to follow him. We pass all the diners and enter a hidden world of dirty cocktails and tasty bar food. This is the first hidden bar we have ever been to but it won’t be the last!
Address: 12 – 16 Artillery Lane E1 7LS
BYOC
A cocktail bar that doesn’t sell alcohol! That’s right you are reading this correctly. BYOC (Bring your own cocktail) has a couple of hidden speakeasy bars in London (one in Camden and one in The City) where you bring your favourite spirit and their brilliant bartenders conjure up some magic alchemy. Sittings are normally for two hours and you will have a bartender at your table discovering your tastes and preferences.
Address: Camden Branch: 11-13 Camden High St, NW1 7JE, City Branch: 19 Bevis Marks, EC3A 7JA
If you want to see London from a different perspective then check out this post on the best views in London. Make sure you camera is charged because you will be taking lots of photos!
Milroy’s Of Soho
As The Doors demanded “Oh show me the way to the next whisky bar”, Milroy’s of Soho will fill your whisky needs. This shop has been selling all kinds of whisky for over 50 years. What has all this got to do with secret bars? Well if you google The Vault Soho you will have your answer. I am not going to give all the secrets away on this post. After all, part of the fun of discovering secret bars in London is the surprise element.
Address: 3 Greek St, W1D 4BD
La Bodega Negra
I am eating dinner with Karen and her sister in Soho and I keep seeing people walk into an establishment of certain disrepute. The thing is the people entering it don’t look like the typical clientele of these type of establishments (think Soho circa 1970s). I am convinced that they are going into a secret bar so I get Karen and her sister to follow me in. They are looking at me with very sceptical expressions and as we enter said establishment things don’t look up. The reception area doesn’t look like the gateway to a hidden cocktail bar. Thankfully my hunch was correct and we are lead to a basement bar where there are people, food and great cocktails. Phew, that was a close one!
Address: 9 Old Compton St, W1D 5JF
The Blind Pig
Some hidden speakeasy bars are better than others at hiding themselves. The Blind Pig is a perfect example. We have eaten in its sister restaurant and had no idea there was a hidden bar right above us. If you are looking for this bar the secret is in its name. Blind and Pig. If you are eagle-eyed (you see what I did there) you will find the entrance. When you enter you’ll be rewarded with a vintage New York-style drinking den complete with mirrored ceiling and copper-topped bar.
Address: 58 Poland St, W1F 7NR
La Cabina
It’s amazing what you can fit into a small space. This secret cocktail bar manages to fit in a bar (well obviously) a DJ booth, private areas and still manage to squeeze in a Tapas restaurant. This place has a special entrance which I won’t give away. Just remember to call.
Address: 232 Kingsland Road, E2 8AX
The Natural Philosopher
This 1920’s cocktail lounge is quirkier than most. First of all the bar is sunken into the ground meaning the bar staff are at your ankle height. Then there is the location of this bar. Put it this way, Steve Jobs would have loved it. There are 3 different rooms in this bar, all with a different vibe.
Address: 489 Hackney Road, E2 9ED
Looking Glass Cocktail Club
If you want to follow Alice down the rabbit hole then this cocktail club is the one for you. Again the secret is in the name. This is a bar within a bar and we didn’t discover the other bar until our 3rd visit (all in the name of research). The cocktail list goes from the simple to the creative, all are expertly made. This place is open until 03:00 on the weekends so make sure you sip those cocktails!
Address: 49 Hackney Rd, E2 7NX
Nightjar
This award-winning bar gets the speakeasy vibe down to a tee. From the decor to the music, The Nightjar truly feels like you have stepped back in time. There is live jazz, fantastic cocktails and delicious tapas, what more do you want from a hidden bar? Live music is free on a Monday and Tuesday.
Address: 129-131 City Road, EC1V 1JB
Discount Suit Company
The area of Spitalfields used to be known for its clothing manufacturers so having a secret bar called The Discount Suit Company fits right in with the area’s heritage. This dimly lit bar has exposed brickwork, top-notch cocktails and Motown playing from the speakers. The bar also serves cheese platters with the cheese coming from Neal’s Yard. A win, win we say.
Address: 29A Wentworth Street, E1 7TB
Peony
If you think Chinatown is just tourists and Chinese restaurants then think again. Peony is a secret bar right in the heart of this bustling area. You have probably walked past its door a thousand times not knowing what goes on behind it. Again, this is a bar within something else so first you have to work out which place to go in to find Peony and don’t google it! Inside you will find amazing cocktails like the one above. Cheers!
Address: 15-16 Gerrard St, W1D 6JE
This list will be growing as we venture out and discover more secret bars in London. After all, there are new ones opening up every month. In the meantime, if you know of any hidden bars that you think should be on the list, please let us know in the comments below.
Bottoms Up!
Are you heading to London? Then check out our other London posts!
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11 Of The Best Museums In East London – Are you looking for some culture in East London? Then check out 11 of the best museums in East London to sate your culture fix. Remember to learn & enjoy!
The 11 best gardens and parks in East London – Are you looking for some green space in East London? Then check out our 11 best gardens and parks in East London post to find your own piece of London.
21 Free things to do in London – London can be very expensive but it can also be very cheap especially if things are free!
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*Images from the Creative Commons & Bars themselves.
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