Soho does drinking better than almost anywhere else. Whether you’re after a cosy spot to settle into for the evening, a secret speakeasy for sipping decadent cocktails, or a fun filled-night of bar-hopping (well, make that several nights – so many bars, so little time!), you’re guaranteed a brilliant night out in this part of London. From intimate wine bars to Bowie-inspired watering holes and late-night house music, here’s our pick of the best bars in Soho.
100 Wardour Street
This iconic Soho club is the go-to spot for all manner of unbeatable fun. Whether planning a romantic date night, a lively catch-up with friends, or just wanting to dance into the early hours, this is the place where the party spirit remains alive and kicking. With late-night DJs following the live band every week from Wednesday to Saturday and tier-one cocktails available, this is a must-visit.
Where: 100 Wardour St, London W1F 0TL
Website: 100wardourstreet.com
Thirteen
This drinks menu captures the spirit and creativity of its Denmark Street neighbourhood, with rare Mezcals, Scotch whiskeys, and playful cocktails on offer – from the Morning Fury, a non-alcoholic aperitif cocktail, taking influence from the Sex Pistol’s documentary The Filth & the Fury; to Major Tom, a gin and tonic twist served in a highball with lemongrass (and a nod to David Bowie’s Space Oddity).
Fancy something even more special? Dial8, hidden below Thirteen, is their secret underground cocktail bar serving spectacular speakeasy drinks into the early hours. The catch? It’s available for hotel guests and private hire only – perfect for a gathering in one of Soho’s most secret spots.
Where: 1-3 Denmark St, London WC2H 8LP
Website: www.thirteenldn.com
The Little Scarlet Door
Continuing the success of their famous house party bars, the team behind the Little Yellow, Blue and Orange Doors brought their newest opening to Soho. And this one’s Scarlet. If, like us, you’re a fiend for great cocktails and excellent company, then The Little Scarlet Door should be on your list. Like all their flats, the vibes are warm and homely – and with shareable cocktails and NYC loft-inspired interiors, this place has all the ingredients for a killer Soho house party.
Expect to sip the night away on signature cocktails like the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Mirabeau pink gin, pink peppercorn and rose served with candy lips), The Last Days of Disco (Appleton 8, Bacardi 8, apricot, pomegranate and grapefruit served with candy floss), and Thomas Crown Affair (Pisco, green chartreuse, sage and lavender served with sage leaves and an edible flower).
Where: 12 Greek St, London W1D 4DL
Website: www.thelittlescarletdoor.co.uk
The Mulwray
The Mulwray is a delight. It’s a wine bar on the edge of Chinatown and a trendy meeting spot for friends and workmates alike.
Recognised most notably as part of The Blue Posts – a pub from the team behind The Palomar at The Barbary – it should be at the very top of your list if you’re a fan of vino, with a changing wine list to reflect the seasons and a focus on sustainable growers and bio-dynamic vines.
Where: The Blue Posts, 28 Rupert St, London W1D 6DJ
Website: www.theblueposts.co.uk/the-mulwray
Sotto Bar
Sotto, based in Soho, is where the heart of Italy meets the art of mixology. Opened in September 2023, Sotto is based below the luxury Italian restaurant Bocconcino Soho, each cocktail aims to take you on a journey through Italy. The bar is open every Friday and Saturday evening until 2am.
Where: 59 Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7JY
Website: bocconcino.co.uk
The Bloomsbury Club Bar
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The Bloomsbury Hotel might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a night out in Soho, but The Bloomsbury Club Bar is the jewel in the crown of lavish cocktail bars around town. It’s a must-try if you’re looking for a night of expertly crafted cocktails.
The bar’s cocktail menu mirrors its past, inspired by the Bloomsbury Set who rejected Victorian ideas of religion and explored new types of spirituality through their art and writing. Each of their 14 cocktails corresponds to a different state of mind or being. Think Flaming Venom to banish envy, Painted Veil to curb your anxiety, and Forbidden Fruit to turn your desire into enduring love. Not sure which to try? The bar’s ‘Cocktail Diviner’ will reveal your emotional state and prescribe exactly the right cocktail to suit your mood.
Where: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN
Website: www.thebloomsburyclub.com
The Little Violet Door
This flatshare turned bar and restaurant serves up top-notch food and drinks with a great bottomless brunch menu as well as a lovely terrace to hang out at. The perfect spot for a late-night out, this buzzing spot serves up some iconic house party vibes where the fun never stops.
where: 9 Kingly St, Carnaby,
London W1B 5PH
website: www.thelittlevioletdoor.co.uk
Manzi’s
Harkening back to the old-school Soho days, Manzi’s offers a beautiful and playful setting across two floors.
Offering two bars, one on the ground floor and one on the first floor (the Mermaid Bar) guests can enjoy a delicious selection of maritime-themed cocktails including The Hemingway with house rum blend, vinho verde, lime cordial,
pink grapefruit, habanero chilli and the Coastal Martini with no 3 gin, dry vermouth, dry sherry, caper leaf, caol ila mist
WHERE: 1-8 Bateman’s Buildings, London W1D 3EN
WEBSITE: manzis.co.uk
Disrepute
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If you’re after a special location for an impressive first date, after-work drinks, or group evening out, Disrepute is sure to promise a memorable secret bar experience. Tucked away between the hustle and bustle of Carnaby Street and Kingly Court, the entrance is so discreet that if you blink, you just might miss it.
The cocktail list is stunning, the décor is glamorous, and the atmosphere feels super-exclusive – making you feel like you’ve stumbled across one of London’s best-kept secrets.
Where: 4 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1F 9RR
Website: www.disrepute.co.uk
Nightjar
With an iconic reputation for breathing new life into forgotten cocktails, Nightjar’s Carnaby location doesn’t disappoint. A hidden basement bar just off Kingly Court, you’d be forgiven for missing it if you didn’t know what you were looking for. With a nightly schedule of jazz, blues, ragtime, funk, and swing, you’ll never fall short of a great live music spot in Soho.
The impressive cocktail menu is divided into four sections spanning the history of the cocktail, from Pre-Prohibition and Prohibition to Post-War and Nightjar Signatures.
Where: Kingly Court, 49-51 Carnaby St, London W1F 9PY
Website: www.nightjarcarnaby.com
Punch Room at The London EDITION
For a sophisticated sanctuary from the buzzy streets, try The Punch Room. Nestled within the hotel, it promises a unique experience for cocktail lovers and luxury seekers alike. The Punch Room is open nightly, inviting guests to indulge in preprandial cocktails or unwind with a quiet nightcap amidst the relaxed atmosphere.
WHERE: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP
WEBSITE: editionhotels.com
Cahoots
With a stellar lineup of serenading jazzy pianists, crooners singing in harmony, and DJs spinning the sounds of a bygone era ’til the early hours, Cahoots is the best place for unforgettable 1940s-era entertainment in Soho.
Hidden beneath Kingly Court, the bar is set in an ‘underground’ station keeping the camaraderie of the Blitz spirit alive. On the ground floor, the ticket hall is fitted with mismatched furniture, a humongous station clock, and a scattering of cocktails and cake. Or, venture on downstairs to the Underground, Soho’s most well-known speakeasy, and settle in for an evening of live performances and elaborate cocktails.
Where: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
Website: www.cahoots-london.com
SOMA
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This bar, courtesy of the team behind Kricket, has fast become a firm Soho favourite. With an extensive drinks list influenced by the Indian subcontinent and beyond, and low-lit luxurious decor, you can see why it’s popular among those who love to do their cocktail sipping in Soho.
With its modern, minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy cocktail bar and 3am closing time, this is a late-night drinking den that’s not to be missed.
Where: 14 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ
Website: www.somasoho.com
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Bar Crispin
For those who prefer a more refined wine bar to a night at the pub, Bar Crispin is the place for you. Atmospheric and chilled, the team behind all-day cafe Crispin has brought a Spitalfields vibe to Soho in the form of Bar Crispin.
With natural wines as the central focus, guests can sip the night away to a menu of real wines (including 150 vintages) curated by sommelier Alex Price. While its main focus is on organic and sustainable wines, Bar Crispin offers everything from specialty coffee and baked goods to seasonal sharing plates, making it the perfect day-to-night destination in Soho.
The perfect day-to-night destination in Soho.
Where: 19 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PY
Website: www.barcrispin.com
The Thin White Duke
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Open from 2 pm to 11pm midweek and until midnight on weekends, The Thin White Duke is an all-day bar that offers music-loving cocktail drinkers some David Bowie-inspired fun in a beautiful Soho venue.
Based on Bowie’s most controversial persona, the space comes complete with a café and bar serving coffee, Cicchetti and cocktails, two fully equipped recording studios, and an upstairs space that plays host to talks, screenings, and workshops. It’s one of Soho’s coolest hangouts and has set the bar high for the London social scene.
Where: 22B Great Windmill St, London W1D 7LD
Website: www.thethinwhiteduke.london
The Perception Bar
If you’re looking for bold interiors, expertly crafted cocktails, and electric beats, then look no further than The Perception Bar. Tucked away inside the W Hotel, this gorgeous hidden gem plays host to everything unconventional – from SOUK, their desert house music night, to a frosé royale brunch which claims to be ‘London’s pinkest’.
Serving up an array of mouth-watering cocktails, this is a great choice if you’re looking for a bar that overlooks the streets of Soho below.
Bold interiors and electric beats.
Where: W, Leicester Square, 10 Wardour St, London W1D 6QF
Website: www.theperceptionbar.com
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The Vault
The Vault prides itself on serving original, unpretentious drinks in an intimate setting. And when they say unpretentious, they mean it, with a wine list that’s condensed down to just two options: ‘red’ or white’.
Nestled beneath Soho institution and London’s original whisky specialist, Milroy’s, this cosy candle-lit setting is a warm and welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Soho’s streets above.
Where: 3 Greek St, London W1D 4NX
Website: www.thevaultsoho.co.uk
