Where Do London’s Bartenders Go For A Drink?
In our pursuit of finding the best spots in London to have a drink, we’re skipping asking our friends, cousins, colleagues and favourite influencers, we’re going straight to the people who know the heart of London’s bar scene – the bartenders themselves. If you’re looking for a cosy bar to head to this party season, we’ve asked the experts for their recommendations, and here’s what they say:
Liana Oster, Bar Director at NoMad Hotel
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Tayer & Elementary
What’s your order? Mince pie negroni
Instagram: @lianaoster
Bryn Lovell, Bar Manager at Equal Parts
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Three Sheets on Kingsland Road. Even before I moved to London, this bar was high on my list, and it quickly became my local spot.
Even before I moved to London, this bar was high on my list.
What’s your order? As a martini enthusiast, one drink stands out in my memory: the Earth Martini. My first sip was a revelation—fresh, with a sweet, earthy undertone that beautifully bridges the bar and kitchen experience.
Instagram: @bryn.lovell
Denise Elisei, Head Bartender at Vesper Bar, The Dorchester
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Side Hustle at The NoMad London
What’s your order? Boulevardier
Instagram: @deniseelisei
Simo Simpson, Co-founder of Dram
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): El Camion on Brewer St. It’s an easy no bullshit vibe just great late-night drinks and a place to let off a bit of steam after a long shift.
What’s your order? A shot of mezcal
Just great late-night drinks and a place to let off a bit of steam.
Instagram: @simo.dram
Lucia Montanelli, Bar Manager at Vesper Bar, The Dorchester
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Amaro Bar
What’s your order? A Manhattan
Instagram: @lucy_nelli
Jake Hawkins, Swingers City
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Scales Cocktail Bar, 25 Duke Street, London – a cosy, modern and minimalist bar known for its expertly crafted, experimental cocktails.
Negroni – the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.
What’s your order? Negroni – the perfect balance of bitter and sweet, a classic that never goes out of style.
Instagram: @swingersldn
Andrea Manca, The Hari
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Amaro Bar, a modern neighbourhood bar in Kensington or The Donovan Bar which serves great cocktails.
What’s your order? A juicy pint of Guinness, tequila or whiskey-based cocktails such as a Paloma, Brooklyn or Tipperary or a good dram of Scotch whisky neat.
Instagram: @livinandream
Giulia Cuccurullo, Head Bartender at Artesian, The Langham
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Tayer+Elementary
What’s your order? Anything with tequila
Instagram: @giuggifoca
Enrico Perri, Bar Manager at 45 Park Lane
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than you’re own): The Donovan Bar – I love the cocktail menu there and the martinis are always so balanced and cold. They always make you feel at home, especially during the festive season.
They always make you feel at home, especially during the festive season.
What’s your order? A martini is my favourite drink there, not the normal one, but the mini version, the drink is served in a small frozen martini glass, more or less a double shot portion, the gin comes from the freezer as well and because the dimension of the glass you finish the drink while it is still chilled and smooth.
instagram: @bevidifferent
Jonathan Ecca, Bar Manager at Quaglino’s
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Soma and A Bar with Shapes for a Name stand out for me. First on the list though is of course Quaglino’s.
What’s your order: I always go for a signature cocktail to see the creativity of bars, but in the end, a nice gin martini extra dry, a good Old Fashioned or Vieux Carre are my top three.
Instagram: @jonyecca
Anna Gaglione, bartender at German Gymnasium
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): The Racketeer or A Bar with Shapes for a Name
What’s your order? Pineapple Daiquiri
Instagram: @annag.g87
Bruno Castro, General Manager of Restaurants and Bars, The Westin London City
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair
What’s your order? The Negroni – made with Bombay Sapphire gin, Campari aperitif, and Martini Reserva Speciale Rubino vermouth.
Marcis Dzelzainis, Partner at Muse at RSA House
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Side Hustle at the NoMad Hotel. The atmosphere is always on point, the food is also outstanding.
What’s your order? Always talk to the staff, they’ve got a brilliant list of in-house cocktails, but the classics are always executed to perfection. All this alongside a well-researched and comprehensive agave selection. I always try and sample one of their agave distillates, but it’s a great spot to order a martini, which I would say is my go-to.
Instagram: @mr_marcis
Mikey Chaplin, Sofitel London St James
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): Beaufort Bar, The Savoy
What’s your order? Side Car
Instagram: @mikey.chaplin
Hannah Bentham, The Alchemist London
What’s a bar you go to for a drink (other than your own): I love a pub when I’m not at work, but my go-to bar is Swift.
I love a pub when I’m not at work, but my go-to bar is Swift.
What’s your order? Sgroppino – a deliciously fresh elderflower serve with a scoop of lemon sorbet.
Instagram: @thealchemistuk
