We've got some secrets to share with you. Sometimes the best bars aren't always the most well known... and London is filled with hidden gems. If you're looking to avoid the grind of the city's busiest venues then take a peek at our collection of the best hideaways. Taking you off the beaten track, delving into fridges and stepping behind mirrors, these clandestine hangouts are the best secret bars in London.
After secret bars in Covent Garden? You'll find Stereo tucked away underneath the market, delving out steak, small plates and burgers alongside killer cocktails. Not only that, but there's live music from the house band each night and DJs 'til late.
Opened by cocktail master Oskar Klimaszewski, Found is worth the hunt. The swish bar is concealed away underneath 5 Ravey Street in Shoreditch, so head downstairs and through the velvet curtain to discover delicious tipples and a venue of cosy nooks and crannies. The focus here is on quality rather than quantity, which is why there are just 14 expertly-created cocktails on the menu at this intimate venue.
Beneath the National Portrait Gallery, tucked away within its historic vaults, Larry's awaits, accessible only through a discreet entrance on Charing Cross Road. The space blends exposed brickwork with art deco elements, giving it a quirky charm that's perfect for a special afternoon out at a hidden bar.
The menu offers timeless cocktails, delicious brunch options like blueberry buttermilk pancakes, and set lunches featuring dishes such as house-cured yuzu gin salmon, miso-roasted aubergine, and beef short rib. Guests can enjoy all this while surrounded by over 100 portraits of iconic West End personalities, a tribute to the venue's prime location in Central London.
One of London's most beautiful hidden bars, blink and you *just* might miss Disrepute. Tucked between the hubbub of Carnaby Street and Kingly Court, Disrepute is bringing you history, glamour and stunning cocktails in equal measure. Descend the secret staircase to enter this wood-panelled hideaway, complete with vaulted ceilings and incredible service. This place is pretty affordable too, especially if you visit during their Aperitivo hour between 4 and 6pm Monday to Thursday, when cocktails are just £9.
A mish-mash of quirky features and cool surfaces, Callooh Callay in Shoreditch has a comic book style menu for you to peruse at your pleasure, and a secret Jub Jub room hidden behind a wardrobe. Very Narnia, we know. A one of a kind cocktail bar for sure, you can sip concoctions like the peach and basil cobbler or a boozy Cherry Cola here. They also offer hard shakes for those of you with a sweet tooth, as well as scrumptious small plates such as tomato and mozzarella arancini or Buffalo cauliflower wings.
If you're on the hunt for intimate and private places, Keystone Crescent is the perfect members club to check out. Enjoy a small list of cocktails using homemade mixers at this King's Cross venue, decked out in plush velvet stools, golden decor and floor-length curtains to add a private ambiance. This 50 capacity hideaway is perfect for socialising with other members, promising the exclusive atmosphere without the sky-high price tag - as membership costs just £12 per month.
Is there anything more secret than an underground bar? We thought not. Hidden beneath Happy Face Pizza, make your way to Supermax in King's Cross for some cool basement vibes, stunning interiors, Vermouth-led cocktails galore and a fabulous selection of live disco tunes. The music and the atmosphere here is inspired by the 1970s, as even the name comes from cult Austrian disco group from the decade.
Lucy Wong is a sultry, sophisticated bar in Fitzrovia, taking inspiration from 1950s Hong Kong in its Asian-style artwork, low hanging lights and elegant atmosphere. As well as delicious Cantonese dishes and sumptuous afternoon tea, you can sip cocktails like the mezcal-based Pomelo Sling or an Eastern Sour with vodka and raspberry, as well as more classic concoctions - to be enjoyed in the pretty venue or in its heated outdoor terrace.
60 minute masterclass - 2 Cocktails (£35PP) and 1 other offer
Harrild & Sons is a sophisticated boozer with a wood-furnished interior, serving a variety of craft beers and a diverse food menu, complemented by a super secret drinking den downstairs offering top-quality whiskies and cocktails. The upscale atmosphere is enhanced by stylish décor and an eclectic menu featuring items such as wagyu burgers and crispy duck salad.
Opium is a secret cocktail bar in the heart of Chinatown. They are London's leading purveyor of seasonal Asian-themed libations, using ingredients sourced locally in the Soho area. Concealed behind an ordinary little door; it's perfect for a cool and unique place to drink in London. Opium would certainly impress a date too, thanks to its sultry red lighting, intimate seating areas and cool concoctions, which you can pair with tasty dim sum. And for private hire? Their Peony bar is a stunning, secret option to boot.
What does The George bring to the table, you ask? Stellar cocktails and Michelin-starred nibbles. One of the prettiest pubs in Fitzrovia, this boozer dates way back to the 18th century, but not to worry - spread across two floors and housing an exclusive private bar aptly named The Gluepot, it offers a menu perfect for a modern London public house. Mosey, your way to this Marylebone haunt for a pint of Guinness or two.
Underneath Swift Borough you'll find a sexy speakeasy Back Pocket, that oozes date night vibes with its cosy booth seating and stools gathered round an intimate bar. Get ready for low lighting, intimate nooks and one helluva drinks menu - think all kinds of deliciously creative cocktails, beers and wines. Even better? Every single Tuesday, they sell drams of whiskey from a specially selected bottle for RRP - bargain.
Nestled under the arches of Charing Cross Theatre, The Players Bar is the West End's original piano bar. This place has been around for 35 years, promising late-night live music throughout the week.
Their piano sessions last from 10pm until 2am, while Wednesdays promise a musical theatre singalong. Plus, they've got some very affordable drinks on offer.
Nestled beneath the buzzing streets of Fitzrovia, you'll find a cool, collected cocktail bar; Reverend J W Simpson. A dimly lit drinking den with stripped-back wallpaper and the building's original tiles, it provides the ultimate backdrop for a night of imbibing, whether it's slinky dates or catch-ups with pals.
Hidden beneath a 1730s Georgian townhouse in Soho lies Zum Barbarossa - a secret bar that's all style, no pretension. Inspired by Amsterdam's underground scene and Parisian lounge aesthetics, this basement speakeasy fuses elite cocktails, deep house music, and intimate late-night energy.
Sip on a banana and pineapple daiquiri or a rose lychee martini while DJs spin beneath the arched ceilings. It's the kind of secret you'll want to share… but only with the right people.
Nestled in the heart of the capital is The Lucky Pig, dubbed 'a cocktail bar that rocks' thanks to its excellent choice of music paired with exquisite, bespoke cocktails and British-sourced nibbles. Take your date and cosy up in one of their plush booths, or enjoy a casual evening listening to live bands and DJs. And if you fancy having a go at shaking up some drinks yourself? Then try out their cocktail masterclasses for £50 per person, which have been voted several times as the best ones in the city.
Bringing a little Parisian chic to the heart of Soho, Basement Sate is a dark, sophisticated bar full of intimate spaces. This secret gem is the decadent place to hit for your palate pleasers and divine dishes, as top pastry chef Dorian Picard is at the helm to bring you the best in dessert plates. As for the bar? Expect hand-crafted sips like the hibiscus-infused Tongue Twister or a bourbon-based Lion's Tail. You can even take cocktail making classes here, if you fancy creating some of these beautiful blends yourself.
Nestled in Earls Court, Evans & Peel Detective Agency is a 1920s-style speakeasy, where bootlegged booze is shaken, mixed and stirred into tasty cocktails. You'll have to speak to a private detective before getting to this place, booking an appointment beforehand, as they can't let just anyone in. Make your way into this candlelit clandestine hangout to indulge in live jazz and swing music, as well as American-style bites.
Look behind the paintings, search a few of the bookcases and you might stumble across the disguised bar at Bourne and Hollingsworth Buildings. Harking back to the secret basement haunts of years gone, Below & Hidden serves a variety of different cocktails and potent drinks. This is an intimate, living room-style space that's covered in cool patterns and red lighting, with comfy sofas and small tables to gather around.
Located in a converted hotel lobby in the corner of Grosvenor Square, The Luggage Room requires entry through a hidden hatch (very secret agent style). Inside, you'll be rewarded with a chic and authentic 1920s bar complete with jazz music and a huge ice block for carving off into each perfectly mixed cocktail. Expect chic marble flooring and swish leather sofas to relax in, and this spot is open until 2am on weekends - making it perfect for those late-night sips.
Enter a hidden doorway and venture seven floors up at The Hoxton Hotel to discover Llama Inn, a cool rooftop bar and restaurant. This is a Peruvian spot run by Juan Correa and chef Erik Ramirez, created off the back of their award-winning venue in the US.
Expect Latin American-inspired surrounds, from the terracotta colour scheme to the gorgeous greenery, and admire the rooftop views from their outdoor terrace. On the drinks front, they've got all sorts of cocktails to choose from, but our favourite is the coconut and Thai basil pisco sour.
The Breakfast Club has a secret... So if you're in town, you should really pay the Mayor a visit. Cool-as-you-like, this cocktail-heavy secret is perhaps the most discreet bar in this list. Ask to see 'The Mayor' after your delicious dinner, and you might just find what you're looking for in the fridge. Yes, the fridge. And once you're inside? Expect signature cocktails like the Jalisco Sunset or a peanut butter daquiri, paired with tasty small plates or even served in bottomless brunch form.
Archive and Myth is a hidden gem beneath Leicester Square's iconic Hippodrome Casino, offering an award-winning cocktail experience like no other. Created by the team behind Magic Mike in collaboration with renowned mixologist Jack Scotti - formerly crowned World Class Bartender of the Year - this bar serves up a unique cocktail menu in both half-size and full-size options.
From the Mizuwari, a Japanese whiskey blend with young fir tip and yuzushu, to the intriguing Absinthe Frappe, with absinthe, condensed milk, and mint, there's a drink for every taste. After exploring Central London, Archive and Myth is the perfect spot to indulge in a boujee tipple. Pair your drink with delicious Chinese dishes like salt and pepper prawns, steamed garlic scallops, and BBQ pork buns, thanks to their dining partner, Chop Chop. It's a refined experience for cocktail lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
Hidden away inside the the Chelsea Cloisters, Barts brings speakeasy energy to South Kensington. After giving the password at the unassuming hatch, you'll step back into the 1920, tufted seats, vintage bric-a-brac and all.
Whether you settle into the candlelit living room or the foliage-filled secret garden, you'll be treated to some theatre along with your drinks. Expect hand-crafted classic cocktails along with signatures set ablaze, poured from tea pots and hidden in paper bags.
Nightjar is a live swing and jazz speakeasy with creative cocktails and a tasty small plates menu to boot. A unique haunt masked between a chicken shop and a newsagent in Shoreditch and perched in Soho too, there's nothing bog standard about this prohibition-inspired nook. Expect innovation and invention by the glassful - we recommend the floral Young Man's delight for a Jasmine-infused mezcal concoction.
