The capital has plenty of famous and stylish hotels, but finding great hotel bars in London is no easy feat. These are the best London hotel bars you won’t want to miss.
We love cocktail bars, rooftop bars, bars for afterwork drinks and bars with panoramic views of the London skyline, but which London hotels have them?
Hotel bars just hit that sweet spot between luxury and cool that usual bars cannot, amiright?
But we won’t pretend that all hotel bars have the right vibe, and let’s face it some just aren’t worth a visit. The best hotel bars in London have imaginative cocktail menus, rooftop views and stylish interiors.
There’s no need to wind up at another hotel bar that just doesn’t live up to its expectations again. Here are 16 of the best hotel bars in London you will keep going back to.
Best Hotel Bars in London
St James’ Bar
££-£££
Decadent, imaginative and intimate, St James Bar has created a truly unique and unforgettable bar experience – and no, not because you’ve had too many drinks and can’t remember the evening.
Think warm lighting, reflective antique mirror tables and expertly made cocktails.
The cocktails are seriously something to write home about, its imagination menu mixes up names like Elton John lyrics, Iron Man comics and fantasy dragon so there’s something to pique everyone’s interest.
Not in the mood for cocktails? No problem, St James Bar has an extensive menu filled with gins, single malt whiskeys and everything in between.
Double Standard
££
Double Standard serves up cocktails on tap and slushie cocktails for those hot summer days, so it’s easily one of the best hotel bars in London.
Did someone say Aperol Spritz slushie? Yes please.
Perfectly located inside The Standard Hotel, Double Standard has you covered for lunch, dinner and bottomless brunch on Sundays with unlimited Bloody Mary’s and Prosecco– how could we say no to a bottomless?
Its art deco interior also makes for the best backdrop for those Porn Star Martini insta snaps
Fitz’s Bar
££
Plush sofas, dim lighting and shaken-not-stirred drinks, Fitz’s Bar is everything you could want from one of the best hotel bars in London.
To set the scene, Fitz is located inside a Grade II listed building and is a glamorous drinking den. Guests can sip drinks under an iconic jazz age mirrorball and original 18th Century stained glass– so get glitzed and glammed up, we’re heading to Fitz.
Its extensive drinks menu has everybody’s favourite tipple from single malt whiskeys, rums, gins and wine’s featuring every brand under the sun to choose from.
Pair your drinks with small plates from its bar menu, you should try the Steak Tartare with toasted Sourdough or the Oyster Mushroom with Teriyaki Glaze.
Rooftop Bar at The Standard
King’s Cross
££
The Standard Hotel also has a rooftop bar that is not to be missed.
Located on the 11th floor, Rooftop Bar at The Standard is sun soaked and the best place to be on a sunny city day to catch some rays with a drink in hand. Sip on Espresso Martinis or a Mango Margarita and prepare to be mesmerised by unparalleled views of the London skyline.
There’s also cocktails and wine on tap (music to our ears) and a well-thought-out snack menu offering Manzanilla Olives, Nachos and sumptuous Tacos– there’s nothing worse than needing to leave early because you’re peckish mid drink.
NoMad Hotel Bar
££
NoMad London sits inside the magnificent Grade II listed building formerly known as The Bow St Magistrates Court, and what’s inside is nothing short of grand.
Its restaurant is set inside an atrium with a towering glass ceiling, flooded with natural light. The cocktail menu takes inspiration from London’s seasonality and the wine list offers classics and new and exciting varieties with a strong focus on England’s viticulture.
American Bar at The Savoy
Covent Garden
£££
The Savoy is as fancy as it gets and American Bar at The Savoy is the longest surviving cocktail bar in London– that’s as good a reason as any to visit.
The American Bar serves classics with a twist with creative names to match, take the Tiki Twist, Pocket Rocket and Hanky Panky Highball as a case in point.
The American Bar has also served famous faces including Winston Churchill – you too, could get lucky and catch a glimpse of a famous celebrity.
To wash those cocktails down, order caviar, oysters, cheese boards and more from its decadent bar menu – this truly is one of the best hotel bars London has to offer.
The Nest at Treehouse
££
Foliage hangs from the ceiling in the lounge and there’s unparalleled 360-degree views of London from The Nest’s terrace.
This is the best hotel bar in Soho where DJ’s spin the decks from a treehouse fort for those late nights you never want to end.
The Nest is as cosy as it is lively, the outdoor terrace has a wraparound sofa equipped with cushions galore for those intimate had-a-few wine chats.
The lounge’s low-hanging rattan lights are warm and create an intimate setting, great for sipping on The Nest’s extensive cocktail list.
Lyaness
£££
Lyaness is all about creating weird and wonderful flavours to bring you interesting and especially tasty drinks and bar snacks.
Its cocktail menu focuses on five ingredients, Oyster Honey, Blood Curacao, Green Sauce Liqueur, Malt and Grass Amazake and Fruit Furikake– all of which are mixed into a short but sweet cocktail list for global flavours.
Its bar menu features small plates and sharing flatbreads, if you care about flavour this really is the best hotel bar in London.
Rooftop Bar Trafalgar St James
£££/i
When it comes to hotels with rooftop bars in London, the Trafalgar St James’ Rooftop Bar is a cut above the rest when it comes to views of our beautiful city, overlooking Trafalgar Square and the iconic London skyline.
It’s the best hotel bar in London for alfresco dining with a seasonally changing menu of European inspired dishes and carefully curated cocktail and drinks menu to match.
With views of the London Eye, while away the night at The Rooftop with nibbles, small plates, signature cocktails and spritzers– count us in.
Blind Spot
££
Looking for a late night bar? Blind Spot is a modern speakeasy hidden behind a tea boutique counter and a secret hand-shaped handle at St Martin’s Lane London.
The tea boutique facade is a clue to its bespoke signature cocktail menu that’s inspired by the British Empire and its ancient tea trade.
Its Spin the Globe menu features Santorini Greece and Lima Peru cocktails. The food menu combines savoury and sweet with tasty treats like Drums of Heaven with sweet chilli sauce and the tempting onion and spinach bhaji with blueberry chutney.
Wilhelmina Lounge
££
Wilhemina Lounge is situated in the Zetter Townhouse in the historical Clerkenwell, Its interior will transport you back to the fabulous Georgian period.
House cocktails include a classic Elderflower Fizz, Pina Colada Royale and the aptly named London to St Tropez.
Wilhemina Lounge serves afternoon tea with freshly made scones and generous helping of cream, finger sandwiches and your choice of bubble or cocktails– you just can’t beat a boozy afternoon tea.
Union Social at The Gantry
Stratford
££
Union Social at The Gantry is an inclusive and relaxed space serving you food and drinks from morning to late night. The lounge and terrace is perfect for a working lunch, late night dinners or sundowners after a long day at the office.
Union Social’s cocktail menus offer seasonal and classics for you to enjoy on its terrace complete with comfy sofas and wood fires for a cool summer evening.
Swing by for casual lunches, tapas and sharing plates and stay for late night DJ sets and live bands.
Coupe at The Gantry
Stratford
££
When it comes to London hotels with good bars, we’ve found a winner. Enjoy all things sparkling from wines, cocktails and decor at Coupe at The Gantry.
The bar serves a collection of locally-sourced sparkling wines as well as kombuchas, seltzers, spritzers and more.
Its stylish decor mirrors an exquisite collection of the country’s finest bubbles, sip yours surrounded by jewel-toned furnishings or on the terrace with an iconic London backdrop.
Sabine Rooftop
££
Looking for hotels in London with rooftop bars? Head to Sabine’s Rooftop Bar– the views alone won’t disappoint.
The secret garden enjoys views of St Paul’s with an outside terrace and a glass domed roof. It is one of the best hotel bars in London for weekend lounging or after work drinks. For those hot summer days (here’s to hoping) sip on frozen Blood Orange Negronis or sample the spring summer G&T list.
Feeling peckish? Order the baked camembert from the bites menu or the Sabine Eton Mess for a sweet treat.
Mama Shelter’s Garden Bar
£
With an excellent selection of spritzes, leafy decor, and an eclectic seating arrangement, is it really any wonder that Mama Shelter’s dreamy Garden Bar is one of our favourite hotel bars in the capital?
As you head through from the dimly lit main bar area into the stunning terrace space, prepare to feel like you’ve been transported to an exotic island. The tropical bar in the centre is the perfect focal point, giving the ultimate holiday vibes no matter the time of year.
Top tip: Head to the Garden Bar on weekdays between 4pm and 7pm and order one of their delicious spritz cocktails for just £7. Refreshing, light, and oh-so-quaffable.
Donovan Bar Browns
££
Donovan Bar in Browns Hotel is an intimate experience with an air of sophistication mixed with tantalising cocktails. The classy space is definitely the perfect place for a date or an evening with friends.
Salvatore Calebreste’s cocktail menu marries sublime flavours in expertly named cocktails, Spicy Fifty, Breakfast Martini and The Winston.
Donovan Bar’s food menu covers light bites, mains and sweet treats, it’s seriously one of the hotel bars in central London you must go to.
Duke’s Bar
St James’s
££
Internationally acclaimed, Duke’s Bar is famous for its legendary martinis (hold your breath when you see the price tag) and you must try one.
Duke’s is effortlessly sophisticated and, if luxury is what you’re looking for, then look no further. The bar gives roaring 20’s vibes with electric blue sofas and a bar stacked with all the classics.
Its martini menu is extensive and the fun part is they’re made at your table so you can enjoy a glimpse of the mixologist process as well as the great taste.
