Whether it’s your usual route home to South London, or you’re just passing through on a weekend city break, you can guarantee you’ll find a decent watering hole at one of these London Bridge bars. The area has a staggering number of trendy gems, tucked away out of sight. From Italian Aperitivo bars and sunny cocktail terraces, to cool drinking dens and old school retreats, there’s a bar for every taste.
Whether you’d prefer an Espresso Martini or a spritz in the sunshine, a basement speakeasy or rooftop views, these are the best bars near London Bridge.
Tavolino
A hop, skip and a jump from London Bridge station towards Tower Bridge, and you’ll land in a neighbourhood Italian restaurant serving up dazzling cocktails from their Aperitivo Bar. Enjoy expertly curated cocktails reaching far beyond the typical Italian favourites. Or, tuck into the wine list to go on an adventure through Italy’s lesser known vineyards.
Overlooking the Thames with spectacular views of Tower Bridge, an afternoon at Tavolino is set to be one you won’t quickly forget.
Expertly curated cocktails that go far beyond typical Italian favourites.
Where: 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB
Website:www.tavolino.co.uk
Electric Shuffle
Their second site, tucked away under the arches of London Bridge, Electric Shuffle offers games-loving cocktail drinkers some shuffleboard-inspired fun in a beautiful venue.
The space comes complete with ten electric shuffleboards, two bars, and an epic brunch offering of pizza and prosecco. It’s one of London Bridge’s coolest hangouts and has really set the bar high for the area’s social scene.
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Where: 10 Bermondsey St, London SE1 2ER
Website:www.electricshuffle.com
Amazing Grace
Nestled in between Borough Market and The Shard, and just a stone’s throw away from London Bridge Station is Amazing Grace – a bar with a jaw-dropping mezzanine balcony housed inside a converted church.
Visually, it’s stunning, but night-life wise it’s even better, with cool club nights, gigs and gospeloke – a gospel karaoke night backed by a live gospel choir. The food menu is curated by KraPow street food, loved for their Northern Thailand flavours. Expect to dig into their famous Gai Tod Chicken Burger and Sriracha & Ginger Wings, alongside Thai classics like Moo Ping.
Where: 9a St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Website:www.amazinggraceldn.com
GÔNG
If you’re in the London Bridge area, search high for your cocktails and you’ll find GÔNG on floor 52 of Shangri-La The Shard.
This is the highest hotel bar in Western Europe, and this summer they’re paying tribute to colour, culture and history with the launch of the Hues of Culture cocktail menu, where their master mixologists have developed a menu of 10 cocktails, each representing an artistic expression and evoking a journey inspired by colour psychology and history. Think ‘Silent Blues’ cocktail capturing the emotions of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”, and the ‘Black Feather’ cocktail, inspired by the mystique of the black swan.
Search high for your cocktails and you’ll find GÔNG on floor 52 of The Shard.
Where: 1 Angel Ln, London EC4R 3AB
Website:www.gong-shangri-la.com
Hutong
Wet your whistle at one of London’s Bridge’s best bars, Hutong’s Shanghai Bar. The perfect place to enjoy a cocktail before your meal at their award-winning Chinese restaurant, or to pop in for an after-work drink.
Peruse the menu whilst soaking in sweeping views of the city below, and spend the evening sipping on the likes of their signature, sweet and spicy Comfortably Numb cocktail, or the Coffee & Melon Martini as you take in sweeping views of the city.
Where: 33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Website:www.hutong.co.uk
Coppa Club
Whilst London Bridge might not scream holiday vibes (at least not for us Londoners), there’s one bar that’s channelling Riviera vibes this summer with an enviable outside terrace that’ll whisk you away to a balmy Mediterranean holiday.
From bright plants in terracotta pots in Coppa Club’s famous pods to enjoy with friends, and festoon lights twinkling overhead, it’s the perfect place to soak up city views over a bottle of rosé.
WHERE: 3 THREE QUAYS WALK, LOWER THAMES ST, LONDON EC3R 6AH
WEBSITE: WWW.COPPACLUB.CO.UK
OMEARA
Founded by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons, OMEARA is unsurprisingly one of the best bars in town for live music, hosting everything from gigs and indie club nights to 10-piece brass bands paying homage to Beyoncé.
Cocktails, craft beer and wine are on the menu – not to mention an impressive collection of tequila.
Where: 6 O’Meara St, London SE1 1TE
Website:www.omearalondon.com
Swan London
The Swans relaxed riverside bar is the perfect watering hole just 10 minutes walk from London Bridge.
Expect Shakespeare inspired cocktails like ‘Lady Macbeth’ made with sloe gin, Martini Rubino, Campari and fresh lemon; interesting small batch London gins; and sharing small plates like Cobble Lane British charcuterie and Neal’s Yard British cheese boards.
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Website: www.swanlondon.co.uk
The Oyster Shed
Just across the river from London Bridge Station is one of the city’s finest watering holes, The Oyster Shed. Kick back and soak up panoramic views across the Thames, whilst sipping on classic cocktails.
If after work drinks or celebrations with friends is what you’re after, this is a great choice of bar just a stone’s throw from the station.
Where: 1 Angel Ln, London EC4R 3AB
Website:www.oystershed.co.uk
Vinegar Yard
You can’t beat the mix of food, drinks and sunshine. And Vinegar Yard has got it all – with a flea market and art to boot. Located right next to London Bridge Station, gather your friends in the sun in their huge outside area; and go under the cover of huge tents and outdoor heating in winter. Alongside an extensive drinks menu, the food traders offer a great choice for every taste.
Where: 72-82 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX
Website:www.vinegaryard.london
BOB’s Lobster Wine Bar
If you’re looking for places to drink near London Bridge, then BOB’s Lobster Wine Bar should be on your list. Best known for their serving seafood from their VW campervan at festivals and street markets, they also run a wine bar in Borough Market.
With over 100 wines to choose from, you’re bound to find the perfect libation to pair with your lobster.
Where: 71 St Thomas St, London SE1 3QX
Website:www.bobslobster.com
Bar 31
Bar 31 is all about quality drinks, and for this summer, they’re taking it up a notch with expertly crafted gin-based cocktails in partnership with Portofino Gin at their sun-soaked terrace. Located on the ground floor of The Shard, the terrace features eye-catching blooms and parasols to relax under on sunny afternoons.
Choose from cocktails like the Laguna, a mix of Portofino Gin, violet, hibiscus and elderflower tonic; and the Coco Splice, made up of Portofino Gin, coconut cream, elderflower and lime. Italian snacks and aperitivi are also available to order, bringing the spirit of Italy to the ground floor of The Shard.
Where: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
Website:www.bar31.com
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Grind
If you’re ever craving an Espresso Martini near London Bridge, Grind is the place to find it. Atmospheric and always buzzing, the team behind Grind have brought a buzzy vibe to the former bank the bar is housed in.
With coffee as the central focus, guests can sip the night away to a menu of cocktails, wine and beer, including a dedicated Coffee Cocktails section- home to a Vanilla Espresso Martini, a Hot White Flat Russian, an Espresso Old Fashioned, and a Coffee Negroni.
During the day, pop in for everything from speciality coffee and baked goods to small plates and bottomless brunch – making it the perfect day to night destination in London Bridge.
Where: 2 London Bridge, London SE1 9RA
Website:www.grind.co.uk
José Tapas Bar
Renowned for its exceptional tapas dishes, José Tapas Bar has a cult following in the London scene, as well as having been awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin for great tasting and great value food.
But it’s not just the ever-changing tapas menu that’s a draw here – they also serve 50 Spanish wines and sherries served by the glass for a truly authentic Spanish bar experience.
Where: 104 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3UB
Website: www.josepizarro.com
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Brigade Bar + Kitchen
Brigade Bar + Kitchen in London Bridge, an all-day brasserie specialising in wood-fire cooking, and home of Beyond Food Foundation, a charity providing hands-on training and life-changing opportunities to individuals whose lives have unravelled and need vital support and inspiration.
At the bar, expect a curated drinks list of carefully selected wines, and a cocktail list featuring all-time favourite tipples and the Brigade signature, Firefighter, a nod to the building’s origins, with chilli infused Ocho Plata tequila, Ancho Reyes, agave syrup and lime juice.
Where: 139 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ
Website: www.thebrigade.co.uk
Call Me Mr Lucky
If you want a speakeasy bar complete with a secret password, low-lighting and eclectic décor, look no further than Call Me Mr Lucky, tucked away under The Breakfast Club.
You’ll need to tell a member of staff that you’re “feeling lucky” to gain entry to this secret cocktail bar, and once inside you’ll find comfort food, cocktail specials and entertainment ‘til late.
A speakeasy bar complete with a secret password, low-lighting and eclectic décor
Where: 11 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ
Website:www.callmemrlucky.com
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