Any bar that has ‘and’ in the middle of its name is always going to have connotations of a big traditional boozer, or one of its modern, trendier incarnations. Rose and Crown, Slug and Lettuce… you get my drift.

So, it was a surprise to find the Shrub and Shutter is none of those things. In fact it was a surprise to find it at all, because it’s all too easy to walk or drive past a couple of times before you realize you’ve arrived at this gem of a bar in the heart of buzzing, bustling Brixton.

Now, I am fast coming to the conclusion that there are two kinds of ‘best’ bars – the glitzy grand hotel bar and the small, personal variety, run with love, attention and humour by owners and fellow bar lovers.

And that’s the Shrub and Shutter for you… small, but perfectly formed with delicious food and drink served by well-informed, friendly staff under the expert ownership of Dave Tregenza and Chris Edwards. All of whom are only too happy to talk you through the varied and creative cocktail menu featuring funny, fresh and frankly quite bizarre ingredients including gunpowder.

At the time we visited a new series of Game of Thrones was about to kick off and the Shrub and Shutter had created some specially themed cocktails to celebrate the occasion. So, more a case of GoT than G&T. Fortunately for me that meant a proper pewter tankard foaming at the top with majestically medieval ingredients.

We also tried a literally smoking, Milk of the Poppy with a Dragon’s Egg. All of this was complemented with plates of delicious bar food prepared in the impossibly tiny, but obviously very competent kitchen.

The bar quickly filled up as the evening wore on, so we were thankful we had arrived early and were warming up to stay late until we realized bedtimes beckoned. We will certainly return to Coldharbour Lane, because despite the address, the warmest of welcomes will be waiting.

336 Coldharbour Lane
Brixton
London
SW9 8QH

www.theshrubandshutter.com

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Of course, as you might expect from people dedicated to bars, cocktails are our thing. Beer has been a bit of a mystery to us… especially those real ales beloved of your original beardy CAMRA types who proudly sported the hirsute look long before hipsters stole their whole vibe.

But when you’re taking out Uncle Rory – whose love of beards and chunky sweaters is only matched by his capacity for sinking ‘proper’ beer – you have to find a bar that gives you the best of all worlds. Which is why we found ourselves at the Draft House on Northcote Road in Clapham’s ‘Nappy Valley’.

The Draft House is one of a small chain of pubs dedicated to, as the name suggests, real beers. Some of these are so good they are more like “witchcraft” rather than craft. They certainly had the power to alter reality. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable about their wares which range from beers, stouts and lager on draught to a wide variety of bottled beers from Britain and around the world. I mean where else would you find a powerful bottle of beer that delights under the name of Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter?

I tried a delicious stout called Camden Ink which made a welcome change from the ubiquitous Guinness. Uncle Rory supped on local Wandle Ale. Also on offer was a very interesting little gin shot called an Up and Under – made by the Draft House Crew in honour of the 6 nations and infused with botanicals representing each of the competitor nations. It had the faint aroma of bubble bath – no doubt due to the herbal essences in it, but tasted delicious.

Beer is filling, but real food sometimes needs to be taken on board too. So it is fortunate that the Draft House has a fully functioning restaurant serving up a variety of hearty food. We dined on chilli hot dogs, ably accompanied with chips and delicious ‘foot-long pork scratchings’. All in all, a warmly welcoming and thoroughly enjoyable destination that even us fancy bar lovers love.

The Draft House, Clapham
94 Northcote Road,
London
SW11 6QW

www.drafthouse.co.uk

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We couldn’t say it better than they say it themselves… “Café by day, bar by night, fun things to do.”

It’s a simple recipe, but hey, it works so well. And in gorgeously kitsch retro surroundings. So, hats off to Kristie Bishop and Coralie Sleap who first opened Drink, Shop Do as a pop-up shop in a beautiful Kings Cross bath house in 2009.

One of the coolest, most compelling and downright tempting aspects of this great meeting and social spot is that everything you see is for sale from the art on the walls to the furniture to the products dotted around and on the shelves.

There’s always something going on, by day a café meeting pace perfect for afternoon tea and crumpets, by night a cool bar, with delicious, freshly made cocktails and dancing ‘til late on Friday and Saturday nights..

And, if that’s not enough and you want to get creative every night upstairs at Drink, Shop Do you’ll find fun things to ‘DO’ – with events ranging from Lego Robots to Play with Clay.

So much more than a bar… so engaging… so cute…. so get yourself down there and enjoy the experience. Drink Shop Do – best cool bars London winner.

Drink Shop Do
9 Caledonian Road,

Kings Cross,

London,

N1 9DX

www.drinkshopdo.com

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Drink in some culture, then down some more drinks whilst taking in one of the most beautiful views in London…

Now there are some bars that are notable because their very altitude gives them commanding views over this great city. And then there are bars that are simply breathtaking because of what you are looking at.

The Tate Modern bar on the 7th floor of The Tate Modern Art Gallery falls firmly into the second category. Situated right on the Southbank of the Thames it would be great just to sit here (or stand, as it does get fairly busy) and watch the river. You could even admire the famous wobbly bridge – more correctly entitled the Millenium Footbridge – especially when it’s lit up at night.

But let’s face, the view is dominated by the majesty of St Paul’s Cathedral sitting atop Ludgate Hill on the opposite bank. And if that doesn’t stir something in you, then you probably haven’t had enough drinks yet.

Talking of drinks, what about them? To be frank, who cares? They are all perfectly serviceable… but have you seen the view? Want a snack…? Try some of the tasty tapas… but really… have you seen the view?

Tate Modern Bar – Best Views London? Definitely.

The Tate Modern Bar
Bankside
London
SE1 9TG

www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/eat-drink-and-shop/level-6-restaurant

Tags: bar reviews, bar reviews london, Bars in SE1, bars in Southbank, best bars, Best Bars London, best bars southbank, best bars with a view london, best bars with views london

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It’s great to be able to impress a date with your knowledge of London’s coolest, most eclectic venues. And it’s always great to have something to do on a date just in case the conversation starts to fade. Cue Wilton’s Music Hall, situated in one of London’s oldest and most notorious areas – Whitechapel, where Jack the Ripper once cut his gory swathe.

Step into Wilton’s and you could be stepping back to those nefarious times. This unique building, fizzing with faded grandeur – and with oodles of history seeping from every brick – includes a genuine mid-19^th Century music hall, two bars and a number of private rooms.

Tours of the hall start every evening at 6. It’s a great way to start a date. After you can hit the famous Mahagony Bar, the oldest part of Wilton’s and once the talk of London and beyond. Or you can book a table in the upstairs Cocktail bar and sample the ever changing menu of liquid libations, all priced very fairly at between £7 and £9.

If that hasn’t broken the ice, take in the entertainment. There’s a packed program from dance parties to world cinema, from live music to ping pong tournaments. Wilton’s is a wonderful experience – and if your date likes a cool, friendly, packed atmosphere, then Wilton’s is bound to make an impression.

Wiltons Music Hall 
1 Graces Alley
London
E1 8JB

wiltons.org.uk

Tags: bar reviews, bars in E1, best bars, Best Bars in E1, Best Bars London, best romantic bar, best romantic bars london, Wiltons Music Hall

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Some bars are just too full of themselves… too cool, or just too pretentious to have a really good time. This is not one of them. This is a bar where they know how to party – and that’s just the staff. But you know what? It’s those fun loving staff that really make a difference when you want to let your hair down. At the Adventure Bar in Covent garden the team are always ready to get up, get the crowd going and get juggling with the cocktails. Their enthusiasm is catching – and ensures the party starts early and keeps on going.

Brilliantly squeezed into a tunnel like basement location with trendy exposed brickwork, there’s always room for larger groups to reserve space at one end of the bar. There’s also room to dance to a mix of floor filling favourites plus all the cocktails and drinks you could want. The cocktails in particular get a real thumbs up from the happy clientele. Don’t forget the happy hour – which does exactly what it says on the box – gets everyone happy and here early in the evening. And from there things can only get better.

The Adventure Bar
20 Bedford Street‬
Covent Garden‬,
London
WC2E 9HP‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

www.adventurebar.co.uk/covent-garden-bar/

Tags: bar reviews, best bars, best bars in central london, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best party bar london, best party bars london

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Remember when you were a kid? You had to ‘do’ something for a party. Go-karting, mini-golf, the cinema… or even bowling which had the added advantage of being weather proof!

And that’s what makes the All Star Lanes in Holborn such a great party venue… eat, drink, be merry, invite your classmates (sorry mates) and have a laugh as you try to get a strike but end up in the gutter (literally and metaphorically).

There are 4 lanes in the main hall and a bar tucked away where a DJ get’s going at the weekends. It’s all decked out in a cool retro style that adds a certain something to the bowling experience. Fancy some space for your party, as well as some bowling? Then book the private room with two lanes, a cocktail bar, karaoke and waiter service.

Remember, at weekends the lanes are reserved for diners in the restaurant, so if you want to bowl you’ve got to eat… and it’s one lane, one game.

Other venues are also available in Brick Lane and Bayswater

All Star Lanes 
Victoria House
Bloomsbury Place,
London,
WC1B 4DA

www.allstarlanes.co.uk/venues/holborn/

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Any bar that not only won the crown of World’s Best Bar in 2012, but defended it successfully in 2013 and 2014, deserves to be on our list. As hotel bars go, The Artesian Bar at The Langham Hotel has exactly what it takes to be one of the best hotel bars in London. The beautiful décor, designed by David Collins, exudes comfort and luxury with lots of lilac leather, white curtains and a breathtaking mirrored pagoda bar.

It’s not just the bar that has won awards, the staff have too, with head barman Alex Kratena leading the way, ably supported by his No.2. Simone Caporale. As you’d expect the cocktails are exceptional. But surprisingly for a bar so firmly anchored in the bosom of 5 star luxury, there’s a real sense of fun too. Highlights of the innovations menu include skulls, pandas and aroma filled balloons.

But if there’s one thing that sets the Langham apart from other some other high end hotels, it’s the exceptional levels of service that leave you feeling pampered and spoilt, but never overwhelmed or intimidated. The Langham? It’s simply lovely.

The Artesian Bar – Best Hotel Bars London
The Langham Hotel 
1C Portland Place
London,
W1B 1JA

www.artesian-bar.co.uk

Tags: artesian bar, bar reviews, best bar reviews, best bars, Best Bars in London, Best Bars London, best hotel bar, best hotel bars london, cocktail bar, cocktails, drinks

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Well, it’s got to be on our list hasn’t it? So, here’s to The American Bar – Best Hotel Bars London.

No other bar in London has the fame, the fortune, the fabulous décor, the fantastic cocktails that this one does.

Despite the Savoy’s recent multi-million pound refurbishment program, the American Bar – one of our best hotel bars in London – has retained its art deco style and its unparalleled wow-factor.

It’s not intimate, it’s not discreet, but it really is impressive. It’s got history too… this where back in the 1930s Harry Craddock invented The White Lady cocktail and wrote his definitive tome; The Savoy Cocktail Book. To this day their cocktails are still amongst the best to be had, made expertly with the finest ingredients – as you would expect from the prices. And, fittingly as the bar which grew to fame in the jazz age, you’ll still find a pianist playing classic Jazz here every evening

One of the world’s greatest hotels, one of the world’s greatest bars. What’s not to like? Possibly the fact it is too much of a tick box bar, where tourists and rubberneckers arrive to have just one cocktail before breaking the bank. A destination where queuing is common, albeit in amazing surroundings. A tourist site rather than a refuge. But having said that, it is one of those bars that you really rewards a visit – even if it is just for one night only. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate and less showy we also highly recommend the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy.

The American Bar – Best Hotel Bars London  
The Savoy, 
London
WC2R 0EU

www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/americanbar/

Tags: american bar, bar review, bar reviews, best bars, Best Bars in London, best hotel bar, best hotel bars, cocktail bar

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