London’s Best Boozy Afternoon Teas
Afternoon tea is the quintessentially British tradition that never gets old, but it gets even better with a boozy twist. Enter the tipsy tea – an afternoon tea experience combining classic teatime treats with cocktails or bottomless drinks so you can sip, snack, socialise, and completely indulge.
From martini and gin pairings to free-flowing champagne and innovative tea-inspired cocktail creations, these are the best boozy and bottomless afternoon teas worth trying.
The Rubens at the Palace
Elevate your traditional tea experience to new heights with bottomless champagne at The Rubens, all within the surroundings of the charming Palace Lounge.
Its bottomless offering applies for 90 minutes – more than enough time to truly indulge in their special selection of cakes, pastries, scones, and finger sandwiches.
where: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS
website: rubenshotel.co.uk
The Milestone
Choose from traditional afternoon tea, champagne afternoon tea, or – for two people – rosé royal afternoon tea, accompanied by half a bottle of rosé champagne.
Each of The Milestone Hotel’s teas includes a selection of finger sandwiches, hand-crafted French pastries, tartlets and cakes, and warm, freshly-baked plain and raisin scones.
where: 1-3 Kensington Ct, London W8 5DL
website: milestonehotel.com
Strand Palace
Just a short stroll from the Novello Theatre, this playful experience in the charming Palace Tea Parlour features ABBA-inspired sweet treats like “Donna’s Dynamo Ball” and “Sophie’s Dream Lemon Drizzle Gateau,” alongside freshly baked scones.
Guests can elevate their experience with optional champagne, prosecco, or themed cocktails, making it perfect for a pre-theatre treat or a lively celebration, with private hire options available for groups.
Where: 372 Strand, London WC2R 0JE
Website: www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk
Swan London
Located next to the Globe Theatre, The Swan can always be counted on for a Shakespeare-themed menu. The Romeo & Juliet afternoon tea menu launched in celebration of The Globe’s summer production.
The Swan can always be counted on for a Shakespeare-themed menu.
Look forward to sweet treats such as the “In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,” made with 70% Verona chocolate, raspberry mousse and milk chocolate Chantilly; and award-winning English sparkling wines.
Where: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Website: www.swanlondon.co.uk
Bbar
Donning an array of delicious cakes and mini finger sandwiches, Bbar’s selection of afternoon teas is a uniquely British affair – the ‘Chip Shop’ fish and chips afternoon tea is offered against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace, and is perfect for a party of two or twenty. Enhance the experience by opting for bottomless prosecco, best enjoyed in the company of your closest friends and loved ones.
where: 43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP
website: bbarlondon.com
Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason at The Royal Exchange serves up one of the most iconic traditional afternoon teas in London, complete with a fabulous selection of fizz. You’ll enjoy finger sandwiches, including coronation chicken, cucumber with lemon and mint, Kames Bay smoked trout with dill cream, alongside scones served with Somerset clotted cream and a selection of cakes. Take in the venue’s historic courtyard as you sip on a selection of the brand’s own famous champagnes, including Fortnum’s blanc de blancs, brut rosé and winter sparkling tea.
where: 4-7 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3L
website: Fortnumandmason.co.uk
The Parlour
Head to the the Parlour for their Champagne Afternoon Tea for a really special experience. Indulge in delicate seasonal pastries, artfully crafted with floral notes alongside an exquisite range of teas. Served at The Parlour, an elegant spot for a traditional afternoon tea, it’s the perfect spot to head to, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or elevating your midweek afternoons.
Where: 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN
Website: www.hyattrestaurants.com
Pan Pacific London
Step into a botanical oasis at Pan Pacific London’s Maxwell Room, which is inspired by the hidden gardens of the Square Mile. On the menu, there are some delicious treats like the honey pomegranate mousse, Isle of Mull cheddar
tart, and chocolate hazelnut layer cake. For an extra treat, guests can enjoy a glass of Taittinger
Champagne alongside their tea, making it a truly indulgent affair. Each guest also receives a beautifully illustrated Secret Gardens trail map and a take-home seed packet.
Where: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
Website: www.panpacific.com
Searcys at The Gherkin
For those looking for a luxurious afternoon tea experience in the sky, Searcys at the Gherkin has 360-degree views of the City of London and an afternoon tea that’s not to be missed. Indulge in a selection of sandwiches, including Searcy’s smoked salmon and caviar, and cucumber, cream cheese and chive, along with delightful sweet treats, homemade scones and perfectly crafted pastries. To take it up a notch, opt for limitless champagne refills.
Where: The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8BF
Website: www.searcysatthegherkin.co.uk
The Athenaeum
Indulge in a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience with a touch of sparkle at The Athenaeum, featuring a spread of sandwiches, cakes, pastries and traditional scones with raspberry and strawberry jams and clotted cream.
For just an extra £20, you can enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside your afternoon tea treats.
Where: 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ
Website: www.athenaeumhotel.com
The Montague On The Gardens
At the Montague, you’ll have a traditional selection of sweet and savoury treats, including smoked salmon with horseradish sauce, traditional and fruit scones and seasonal pastries.
Their afternoon tea experience comes with a twist – you can enjoy 90 minutes of unlimited Lanson Champagne and food. With a guaranteed table on the outdoor terrace, you can dine overlooking their private Bedford Estate.
Where: 15 Montague st, London wC1b 5bj
Website: www.montaguehotel.com
Jang
This contemporary take on afternoon tea has been created in collaboration with pastry chef Lorena Tommasi. The menu is an artful balance of savoury and sweet textures from an open sandwich of smoked salmon, trout mousse and pickled cucumber to colourful plant-based options like the pickled beetroot, creamy hummus and baby spinach, brightened by calendula petals. Expect perfectly piped apple choux, a decadent sachertorte, and a trio of tartlets celebrating seasonality, think zingy lemon, fresh fruit, and more. But the standout might just be the slice of Three O’Clock Coffee Cake, a nod to both tradition and luxury. The tea is best enjoyed with Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve NV or R de Ruinart Brut NV Champagne.
where: The Mezzanine, First Floor, Royal Exchange, London, EC3V 3LQ
website: wwwjangrestaurant.co.uk
The Cadogan Hotel
The Cadogan Lounge offers a quintessentially British experience with a French twist courtesy of pastry Chef Benoit Blin. Champagne is available by the glass or the bottle, and guests can choose from options like the Rathfinny Classic Cuvée, Rathfinny Brut Rosé, and Rathfinny Blanc de Noirs to complement this unique experience in the heart of Chelsea. On the menu, you’ll find everything from BBQ corn bread with cured wagyu beef and chilli sauce to a gorgeous Ultra lemon and yuzu Barquette.
where: 75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG
website: belmond.com
