Looking for a bar that’s set to impress and secure you a second date? Been left with the arduous task of organising a last-minute Valentine’s reservation but don’t know where to start? Luckily for you, we’ve got you covered with our edit of London’s most romantic bars.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere for a first date or a five yeat anniversary celebration, we’ve rounded up our favourite bars to head to for a romantic night out.
Lyaness
There’s a reason that Lyaness keeps on winning award after award. Firstly, it’s interiors are impeccable – think mirrored tables, velvet seating and gold finishes. Secondly, it’s the brainchild of the award-winning Mr Lyan and is home to cocktails designed around the ingredients rather than cocktail type.
There’s a cocktail to suit every taste, from sweet fruity numbers to spiced and sharp. Pair them with views over the Thames and you’ve got yourself a date destination that you can’t fault.
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The Bloomsbury Club Bar
Celebrate love with your special someone at The Bloomsbury Club Bar. Centred around the Bloomsbury Set, the group who rejected Victorian ideologies of religion and explored new ways of spiritual meaning through art, writing, kinships and belief in an interconnected universe, the bar is one to visit for those who love Tarot.
Silverleaf, Pan Pacific London
If you’re looking to win brownie points and look like you know your stuff when it comes to hot new openings, book a table at Silverleaf, the exciting new bar opening hidden inside Pan Pacific London.
The bar is inspired by ‘naturalism and the elements’. It’s one of the first independent cocktail bars to be part of a luxury hotel’s offering, giving guests a full sensory experience with stunning views over Bishopsgate Plaza.
Interiors-wise, the bar is home to natural and tactile qualities, from marble to charred timber and salt-glazed hand-crafted British bricks. For drinks, each cocktail champions two or three core ingredients and are presented in fun, new and unimagined ways.
Beaufort Bar at The Savoy
Hands down the most opulent hotel bar in London, the Beaufort Bar at the Savoy is home to Nocturne, a new drinks experience and concept that celebrates the thrilling things that happen after dark…
Created by the Beaufort Bar Team led by Anna Sebastian, it takes inspiration from The Savoy’s previous incarnation as a royal palace and its links to the Champagne region. This menu celebrates everything Champagne has to offer, from simple serves to elegant cocktails crafted with the bubbles in mind. Give the Golden Apple Champagne Cocktial a go – it’s a mix of Michter’s Rye Whiskey, Couvoisier X.O Cognac, Calvados, red toffee apple and vanilla syrup, 24K gold sugar cube, Laurent/Perrier Brut and NV Champagne.
The American Bar, The Stafford
Seriously impress your date by booking into one of London’s best kept secrets. The American Bar at The Stafford London belongs to the great tradition of the American cocktail bars that became renowned in London and Paris during the 1920s and 30s, and remains one of the longest surviving American bars in London today.
Pull up a pew at the bar and explore the wide selection of signature and classic cocktails and immerse yourselves amongst the memorabilia-filled walls and intimate corners.
Cecil’s Bar at The Lane
For the ultimate date night, book a theatre trip at The Lane. Stop by Cecil’s Bar for a glass of fizz or one of their carefully crafted cocktails.
Open late, the space is inspired by Cecil Beaton’s legendary My Fair Lady costume and the flamboyant group of artists, writers and socialites surrounding him.
Coupette
Coupette ticks all of the boxes when it comes to the perfect bar for a date night. It’s intimate, cosy and home to some of London’s very best cocktails. It only launched in 2017 and has already secured raving reviews and firmly found itself on the World’s Best Bar list.
The bar is inspired by France but the cocktail menu draws on East London’s gritty side. It documents the journey of Andrei Marcu and his team as they guide you through an imagined story of how the Urban Legends and their Uprising Tales became through calvados deals, spirit smuggling and ingredient hustling.
Sweeties at The Standard
Disco balls, velvet sofas, mirrored tables and sensual lighting, there’s not better place to head for a date night drink than Sweeties at The Standard. Evoking that early 1970s Hollywood opulence, the late-night lounge serves up sweet sips to be enjoyed over deep chats.
Look out over London through the floor-to-ceiling windows, seeing the sunset before into the night to tunes from their roster of live DJs.
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Viajante87
Notting Hill’s hottest cocktail bar for romance, Viajante87 is the brainchild of Los Mochis founders and spearheaded by Panos Kanatsoulis, formerly World’s 50 Best Bars. It’s a space where Tokyo meets Tulum, with every cocktail melding the two cultures together in every sip.
Indulge in experiential cocktails like the Frida, featuring La Familia tequila extra anejo, citrus sherbert, chamomile-oregano syrup, rosemary bitters, plum liquor and Champagne; Cherry Blanco, made with tequila blanco, sour cherry marmalade and clarified coca-cola; and Viajante Martini, with tequila reposado, bell peppers, fermented mead and green tea sherry.
Smokey Kudu
Smart and seductive, Smokey Kudu is cocktail and wine bolthole from the Kudu Collective restaurant group. The bar area is the centrepiece of this space, complete with a dreamy marble countertop, gold accents and chandelier dangling directly above.
Pull up a pew at the bar and order from their extensive cocktail menu. We love the Smokey Kudu made with South African whisky, smokey whiskey, Italian bitter and sweet vermouth.
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Green Bar, Hotel Café Royal
For a cosy winter escape away from it all, look to Green Bar at Hotel Café Royal. Right now, they have a winter installation on show created in collaboration with Glenmorangie.
Celebrating the new limited edition Single Malt Whisky, their talented team of mixologists have created a herbaceous cocktail menu to tempt guests with.
Iris Bar at Searcys at the Gherkin
Take to the skies for a romantic date night at Searcys at the Gherkin and its Iris Bar. Located right at the top of the iconic landmark, gaze eye-to-eye with the city’s skyscrapers whilst enjoying a tipple from the extensive cocktail, wine and Champagne list or choose a Searcys Tasting Trio featuring signature Searcys sparkling wines and champagnes.
Velvet
Celebrating the love of life, finer things and the permission to be a little decadent, Velvet is a luxurious new Champagne and cocktail bar hidden inside Corinthia London.
Created in partnership with acclaimed bartender and drinks expert, Salvatore Calabrese, the bar is bringing back the theatre of cocktail-making. Expect classics with a modern twist, new era drinks and Salvatose’s signature serves.
Home House
Inspired by historic embassies around the world and the heritage of House 21 as a former “legation”, the House Bar’s design draws on the freedom, liberation and self-indulgence that comes with uninhibited travel. Exclusively open to members and hotel guests, it’s the ultimate place for intimate conversations and date nights.
Pull up a pew at the bar or tuck into one of the banquette seats, taking in all of the room’s pink and blue tones. Feeling peckish? Chow through light bites from the snack menu, from seared tuna with wasabi and citrus dressing, crispy shallots, chilli and coriander to salt and pepper squid with kimchi mayo.
Manetta, Flemings
Mayfair’s Flemings is rich in history. Reviving the name of the original hang-out at Flemings back in the 1930s, Manetta recaptures the spirit of a place where spies used to swap secrets and clandestine trysts took place.
The bar boasts a dark and sultry colour palette, with corners to hide away in and get to know your date over a cocktail or two. For the negroni lovers, try your hand at sampling one of each from their impressive menu.
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Seymour’s Parlour
Minimalists, look away. Seymour’s Parlour is for the maximalists, the lovers of storytelling and eccentricity. Hidden away inside The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone, the bar takes on the look of the private residence of Wicked Uncle Seymour, complete with his miscellaneous trinkets and old furniture.
It’s the perfect place to book in for an afternoon date as even there are some awkward silences, you can just look around the room and spark up conversation about the vibrance of the space. The cocktails are second to none too.
The Connaught Bar
The Connaught Bar, named the world’s best bar for the second year in a row, is a bar for truly special occasions. Whether you’re celebrating a new promotion, an anniversary, birthday or Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect place to dress up for and sip on expertly crafted cocktails.
The space has been designed by David Collins Studio and evokes English and Irish Cubist art of the 1920s. During the day it’s perfect to while away the afternoon and by night, it’s somewhere for intimate conversations over candlelight.
Rake’s Parlour
This place might be a cafe by day but it’s night time where the space really comes into its own. Hidden inside Rake’s Cafe Bar, you’ll find Rake’s Parlour and a menu filled with exciting signature cocktails and Champagne offerings.
The space is opulent and lavishly decorated, yet you can’t help but feel at home. It’s the kind of place you’d take your special someone to celebrate their achievements or to wow over your partner for an anniversary to remember.
The Little Scarlet Door
From intimate corners and cosy seats at the bar to get close to your date, the Little Scarlet Door located in Soho is the perfect bar to enjoy a romantic date for two. Snuggle up together and order in one of their ‘sharing cocktails’ for the ultimate date night treat.
Nightjar
Nightjar isn’t one to be missed. There’s a reason it’s so many people’s number one choice for cocktails in the city. Their mixologists are experts in their craft, the interiors are dark and sultry but still stylish and their live entertainment just adds a whole new dimension.
Their cocktail list is split into sections, from the pre-prohibition era, a space where ancient recipes come into their own, to post-war concoctions that brought about a renaissance of mixes. Or, if you fancy something truly unique, order one of Nightjar team’s signature serves.
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The Franklin Bar
Surrounded by gilded mirrored walls, grey velvet seating and elegant finishing designed by renowned interior designer Anouska Hempel, this is the romantic London bar to know. Hidden inside The Franklin Hotel, the bar evokes that Great Gatsby 1920s style.
Take a grand tour and work your way through the drinks menu, from Champagne to cheers to those special moments to cognacs for the ultimate nightcap.
Long Bar, Sanderson
Having successfully reopened last year, the Long Bar is renowned for its raucous days where it saw everything from Kate Moss and Mario Testino to BRIT after parties celebrate here. Live out those days for yourself with a seductive night of cocktails.
Grab yourself one of the striking eye-designed pews and sip on cocktails like The Catwalk, a mix of Kettle One Vodka, lychee liqueur, pink grapefruit and fresh lemon; and the Pear Drop Sour, made of Hennesy VS, Xante Cognac, pear liqueur, pressed apple juice, citrus and Cardamon bitters.
Sky Garden
Where better to spend your date overlooking London as the sunsets than Sky Garden. Hidden inside you’ll find two special bars waiting for you to discover them. The Sky Pod is home to live music every Thursday and Friday, and DJ nights every Monday to Saturday, while the City Garden Bar is the go-to place for an intimate night with spectacular views over the city.
Hithe + Seek
For romantic sharing and pairing food and wine overlooking the River Thames, book in for a date night at Hithe + Seek. The restaurant & bar opened its doors in 2021 and has already become the go-to place for city-goers and date nights.
Get to know your date over a bottle of wine or order a few plates to share as you reconnect with old flames. There’s live music every Thursday night too.
Rockwell
Located in St James’s, Rockwell is a subterranean-inspired bar filled with hanging green foliage, boothed corners and blue and gold leather pews lining the bar. Cocktails are at the heart of the bar menu here, complete with 11 expertly mixed concoctions.
Opt for something a little different Valentine’s date night and try Rockwell’s limited-editiion Tipple Tea, their twist on the classic afternoon tea. It’s the perfect marriage of expertly crafted cocktails inspired by romance movies and their love of food. Available Tuesday 14th February to Sunday 19th February 2023.
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The Hideaway at Sloane place
The Hideaway at Sloane Place is an Art Deco modern speakeasy; a secluded and intimate bar perfect for an evening hidden away from the world in the heart of Chelsea.
Descend down the stairs in Sloane Place to uncover the space where cocktails flow, delicious snacks are served and fantastic live music plays each week.
Bar Termini
To impress the negroni lovers, take them to the Soho hotspot, Bar Termini. This Italian bar knows a thing or two about whisking up a traditional Negroni consisting of only the finest, authentic ingredients. Your date will be seriously impressed with you for finding London’s spot for a Negroni and sharing boards.
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Lobby Bar, One Aldwych
Whether you’re looking for a late-night tipple or an evening aperitif before dinner at Indigo, One Aldwych’s Lobby Bar is the go-to place for hand-crafted cocktails and all-day bites.
Sip into the night on the likes of the Sustainabilitini, made with Discarded Grape vodka, Zubrówka vodka, elderflower cordial and red grapes; For Love, a mix of chilli-infused Rekya vodka, ginger and lemongrass cordial, rhubarb liqueur and lemon juice; or a classic Penicillin, served with Naked Grouse whisky, Laproaig whisky, lemon juice, ginger and honey syrup.
The Churchill Bar & Terrace
If your looking for somewhere to slip off with your partner after hitting Oxford Street, The Churchill Bar & Terrace will refuel you with its sustainably-focused cocktail list and non-alcoholic options.
Inspired by Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine, the space is packed out with bookshelves curated by Daunt Books and original photographs and love letters by Churchill and his wife. It doesn’t get more romantic than that.
Bar 190 – The Gore London
Who said rock ‘n’ roll can’t be romantic? Bar 190 provides the perfect spot for punchy cocktails, fiery whiskies and a bountiful menu of gins. The space features original wooden panelling and lavish furnishings, with the walls graced with shots from the famous Rolling Stones’ album launch party in 1968.
Blind Spot
One of our favourite speakeasy bars, Blind Spot is hidden inside St Martin’s Lane. It takes inspiration from the British Empire and its ancient tea trade. You can travel the world with your loved one through every serve, from Santorini to Lima, Mumbai to Rio De Janeiro.
Pivot Bar & Bistro
Sip into the sunset with views over the iconic Covent Garden Piazza courtesy of a table at Pivot Bar & Bistro. Hidden inside 3 Henrietta Street, the bar is home to a cocktail to suit every tastebud, from the Mango Honey Margarita to the Bottle Aged Negroni, or choose to sip on bubbles all night as you reconnect with your loved one.
Coppa Club Putney
Riverside views? Check. Cosy corners to snuggle up in? Check. Seriously delicious cocktails? Triple check. Coppa Club Putney ticks all of the boxes when it comes to a cosy date night with your other half. Whether you fancy heading into the snug for a quiet, intimate conversation or lounging in the bar, this restaurant-turned-bar is open all day.
Fancy something more central? Book into Coppa Club Tower Bridge for a serve with a view of the Thames.
The Library Bar, The Lanesborough
For that quintessential, old-school British bar experience, The Library Bar provides a blank canvas for date nights. There’s even a special Valentine’s cocktail on offer this love-fuelled season. Crafted by Library Bar manage Mickael Perron, the Sweet Valentine cocktail consists of Champagne, violet liqueur, lychee liqueur, rose water, fresh lemon juice and rose syrup.
Set against shelves upon shelves of books, this is something truly special.
