Best Bars in Shoreditch: Cocktail Bars and Clubs, or Relaxing Shoreditch Bars
The coolest bars in London are in the colorful drinking dens of Shoreditch! If you’re looking for award-winning cocktails in one of the world’s best bars or just to sip on classic cocktails in one of the many rooftop bars and pubs in the area then you’re in the right place!
Here are what I consider to be the spots that are absolutely worth a visit, from the many bars to buildings with a bit of history for a glimpse of Shoreditch’s past, read on to find out my picks on where to spend a fun weekend!
My Picks of the Best Bars in Shoreditch
Nightjar Shoreditch
Nightjar is undoubtedly one of the best cocktail bars in East London. Known for its large menu of expertly created drinks made using antique spirits from the 1920s. The bar’s inventiveness is demonstrated with signature drinks like the Filipino, prepared with bathtub gin, and the Imperial Fizz, which contains three different kinds of gin. It makes sense that it has been named one of the best bars in the world and one of the World’s 50 Best Bars lists.
This basement bar’s retro vibes and intimate setting make it a favorite among those looking for the best bars in Shoreditch. Located near Old Street station, the entrance may be hidden but once inside, you’ll find a quirky haven filled with character.
With its dim lighting, art deco details, live music events, of course their award-winning cocktailsm Nightjar offers a unique night out in London’s buzzing Shoreditch bar and club scene.
Great For: Couples, Business Meetings
📍129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB, United Kingdom
Catch Bar
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This party bar and event space brings a fun, colorful pirate theme to the Shoreditch bar scene with its nautical decor, cosy wooden booths, and multiple TV screens. Catch offers a vibrant cocktail menu with award-winning concoctions and happy hour specials. The ground floor bar serves up delicious cocktails like their signature Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini, and seasonal offerings. There’s also a wide selection of wines, bottled beers, and beers on tap from local London breweries.
For snacks, you can enjoy bar food like wings, nachos, and sliders into the late hours on weekends. The music spans house, pop, hip hop, and more. The best thing is, there’s no entry fee! Though from our experience, you’ll still probably spend a bunch of money at this place for the rum, great cocktails, and booze.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends
📍22 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DA, United Kingdom
Nobu Bar
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Nobu, is a modern Japanese cocktail bar that combines the neighborhood’s creative spirit with Nobu’s minimalist design and Leonard Street, Hoxton, and Shoreditch High Street. With its urban, artsy vibe enhanced by animated street art projections, music, and cultural programming, Nobu has quickly become a go-to nightlife destination in Shoreditch.
The menu features Japanese-inspired cocktails using sake, whisky, and other premium spirits as well as a curated selection of beers, wines, and Nobu’s famous Japanese bar bites like tempura, sushi rolls, and signature dishes.
Great For: Couples, Business Meetings, Close Friends
📍30 Willow St, London EC2A 4BH, United Kingdom
Apples and Pears
I visited on a Saturday night and the atmosphere was buzzing – a mixed crowd of couples on dates, groups of friends, and solo patrons looking to let loose. The friendly bartenders whip up creative cocktails like the spicy No Whey Jose and floral Cococabana, putting their own spin on classics. I sipped through a flight of their signature drinks and loved the balance of flavors in each. Beyond cocktails, Apples and Pears offers craft beers, wines, and wood-fired pizzas perfect for sharing.
The outdoor courtyard is heated year-round, ideal for al fresco drinks. Inside, the vibe is relaxed yet lively, helped by the resident DJs spinning party tunes to get the dance floor moving. While Shoreditch has no shortage of trendy bars, Apples and Pears stands out for its laidback energy, quirky personality, and top-notch drinks. It’s a fun spot for pre-dinner drinks or to dance the night away.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends
📍26 Osborn St, London E1 6TD, United Kingdom
Barrio Shoreditch
Barrio Shoreditch is a vibrant Latin American inspired bar and restaurant located on Shoreditch High Street. The bar has a fun and lively atmosphere with Latin music playing and colorful decor. The bar serves cocktails like Pisco Sours and Brazilian Caipirinhas along with £3 tequila during happy hour from Sunday to Friday. Tacos are £2 all day everyday.
Take a seat at their tropical terrace for outdoor drinking and an upstairs area for private events. Barrio brings “a slap of Latin attitude” with authentic margaritas, beers, and tacos. This is a spot we usually go to after a particularly stressful day at work.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends
📍141-143 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JE, United Kingdom
Looking Glass Cocktail Club
The Looking Glass Cocktail Club is an Alice in Wonderland themed speakeasy bar that has an imaginative cocktail menu and a cool sort-of vintage design. Looking Glass focuses on creating unique taste sensations and molecular cocktails. There are two bars – an upstairs lounge bar Le Boudoir and a downstairs bar called The Room Through the Looking Glass.
Le Boudoir has a cozy, vintage vibe during the week and turns into a lively DJ club on weekends. The cocktail list features creative concoctions like the ‘Eat Me’ drink with popping candy. Imaginative interiors and novelty of the molecular cocktails using ingredients like smoke, foams, and unusual spirits. The bar offers a fun, quirky night out in Shoreditch for cocktail aficionados.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends, Close Friends
📍49 Hackney Rd, London E2 7NX, United Kingdom
JuJu’s Bar & Stage
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JuJu’s Bar & Stage is a warehouse bar and events venue located in the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. It hosts live music, DJ nights, talks, comedy, and more. The industrial style bar has an outdoor deck, back garden, and two indoor bars serving craft beers, cocktails, and Mexican spirits like mezcal and tequila. The food menu offers global street food bites.
Events at JuJu’s range from Brazilian nights with live music and dancing to book clubs and film screenings. There is something on every night from salsa dancing to rock karaoke. It’s a new favourite of ours as every time we step in, there’s always some new event that’s going on!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍Ely’s Yard, 15 Hanbury St, London E1 6QR, United Kingdom
The Hoxton Seven
I visited on a Saturday night with a group of friends. We were able to secure a booth which provided the perfect amount of privacy while still being able to take in the atmosphere. The cocktail menu was extensive with lots of unique options like their elderflower spritz and smoked old fashioned. I tried the hoxton spritz which had hints of grapefruit and elderflower – it was so refreshing!
The pizzas are also a must-try. We got the funghi pizza which was topped with portobello mushrooms, taleggio cheese, and truffle oil. The crust was perfectly crispy on the outside but chewy on the inside. Paired with the cocktails, it made for a delicious night out. The lively music and the dimly lit small space gave it an edgy, speakeasy vibe. I’ve also found that the low lighting is just absolutely perfect for date nights!
Great For: Groups of Friends, Couples
📍66-68 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3JT, United Kingdom
Tequila Mockingbird
With its funky decor, solid happy hour deals, and extensive cocktail menu, it’s a great spot for after-work drinks or a weekend night out. I visited on a Friday evening with some friends. The bar has a really fun, quirky aesthetic with colorful murals, hanging lights, and an outdoor patio area. The music was upbeat, mostly pop, hip-hop, and Latin remixes.
We took advantage of their daily happy hour from 5-9pm and got 2-for-1 margaritas and palomas. I tried the hibiscus margarita which had a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. My friend got the passionfruit paloma which was so refreshing and delicious. In addition to classic Mexican cocktails, they also have unique house options like the Strawberry Mojito and Cucumber & Lime Caipiroska.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍6 Kingsland Rd, London E2 8DA, United Kingdom
Simmons Shoreditch
Simmons Shoreditch is a lively cocktail bar located right off Shoreditch High Street. Known for its extensive happy hours and neon-lit interior, it’s a fun spot for after-work drinks or weekend revelry.I visited with a few friends on a Saturday night.
Upon entering, we were immediately struck by the funky, retro decor – neon signs, kitschy wall art, and an eye-catching pink and blue color scheme. We sat at the bar to take advantage of their daily 5PM-10PM happy hour special – 2 cocktails for only £10.
I got the lychee and rose spritz which was beautifully presented in a copper mug and garnished with fresh lychee. My friend got the espresso martini which was strong, smooth, and delicious.In addition to the cocktails, they have a great craft beer selection as well as a menu of bar bites like flatbreads and chicken wings. The music was a fun mix of 80s, disco, and funk which lent itself to the lively, festive energy.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends, Catching up with Friends
📍104-108 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3AH, United Kingdom
Dirty Martini Bishopsgate
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Dirty Martini Bishopsgate is a stylish underground cocktail bar that’s part of a mini chain specializing in martinis. It has a sleek, modern interior with blue lighting, comfortable leather booths, and a large island bar.
I visited on a Friday evening and it was quite lively with after-work crowds enjoying martinis and cocktails. The martini menu is extensive – they must offer over 20 varieties! I tried the lychee martini which was fragrant and nicely balanced between sweet and tart.
My friend had the passionfruit martini which was also delicious and beautifully presented. They use fresh ingredients and pay close attention to presentation with garnishes like orange twists and olives on picks. The service was very prompt and friendly. Dirty Martini has happy hour every day from 5-8pm with discounted drinks, which is a great deal in central London.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Catching up with Friends
📍158 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4LN, United Kingdom
Hijingo
Hijingo is a high-energy, futuristic bingo experience located in the heart of Shoreditch. As soon as I entered, I was blown away by the venue’s production value – we’re talking 3D graphics, neon lights, dancers, and pumping music.
My friends and I grabbed a booth and drinks from the extensive cocktail menu. I tried the ‘Say My Name’ cocktail which was delicious. When the bingo started, the lights dimmed and the music amplified, building up the energy in the room.
The games were fast-paced and entertaining with the numbers displayed in creative visuals on a massive screen. In between games, dancers performed choreographed routines which added to the lively atmosphere. The prizes were excellent too – cash jackpots, gadgets, and even a European holiday!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍90 Worship St, London EC2A 2BA, United Kingdom
Casa Blue
Casa Blue feels like entering into an American 1950s diner. The interior is bursting with color – patterned rugs blanket the walls, decorative lamps hang from the ceiling, and every surface is covered in eclectic knick-knacks.
The atmosphere is lively and social, with groups chatting enthusiastically over the bar’s signature extra-large sharer cocktails. We stayed at Casa Blue for hours, soaking up the vibrant, mysterious ambiance.
The heat and chatter from the crowd gave it an exotic, steamy vibe unlike any other bar I’ve experienced in London. With cocktails flowing and music playing, Casa Blue became our own private bar to enjoy a night out in Shoreditch. The indulgent sharer cocktails and eclectic, colorful decor made it an unforgettable destination for fun with friends.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍120 Bethnal Grn Rd, London E2 6DG, United Kingdom
Happiness Forgets
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Happiness Forgets is a cozy, dimly-lit speakeasy hidden in the basement of Hoxton Square. Down the stairs, I was transported into a moody, intimate space with brick walls, candlelit tables, and smooth jazz playing. Despite its small size, Happiness Forgets has an extensive cocktail menu as well as amazing gin and tonics.
I tried the refreshing ‘Tokyo Collins’ which had hints of sake and elderflower. My friend had ‘The Italian Stallion’ which tasted like a tropical vacation in a glass! The bartenders clearly have a passion for mixology – each drink was perfectly balanced and artfully presented. The chilled, laidback vibe encouraged us to linger for hours, sipping cocktails and chatting in our hidden underground oasis.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Couples, Business Meetings
📍8-9 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU, United Kingdom
Looking for More Guides?
Looking at the unique bars in the area, it’s pretty safe to say that Shoreditch is home to more than just cocktails and pub crawls. This vivid neighborhood is also home to some amazing cafes, restaurants and more.
Fortunately, we’ve got a bunch of guides on how to navigate all of them! Not only that we also have articles for most of the boroughs in London, just to make sure you have an amazing time during your visit!
FAQ
What are some of the coolest and most popular bars in Shoreditch?
Another top speakeasy is TT Liquor, set in a former Victorian police station and jail, now transformed into a stylish bar with leather booths in the old cells.
Cocktail Trading Company is an award-winning underground cocktail bar founded by expert mixologists, while Happiness Forgets focuses on excellent drinks and service without gimmicks. Shoreditch also has larger, lively cocktail bars like The Alchemist, with its theatrical flair and unique drinks menu.
Where can you find the best wine bars in Shoreditch?
In contrast to the hidden speakeasy cocktail bars, Shoreditch has some fantastic wine bars for a more relaxed drink. Top choices include Sager + Wilde, a pioneer of natural wine bars in the area with an excellent selection. Laughing Heart combines a restaurant, wine cellar, and bottle shop – perfect for chatting with their knowledgeable sommelier over a glass. Renegade Urban Winery lets you sample wines made on-site under the railway arches.
Unpretentious spots like The Grocery offer a wide range of wines by the glass right next to an organic supermarket. And Cave Cuvée brings a laid-back vibe combined with expertise from natural wine experts.
What are some of the best places for cocktails and atmosphere?
For a truly world-class cocktail experience in an elegant setting, head to The Gibson, a 40-seat art deco bar specializing in gin cocktails dating back to Edwardian London. Discount Suit Company is another top destination for cocktails – small and stylish with a secret entrance.
Shoreditch also has award-winning bars like Callooh Callay, a long-time staple of the neighborhood’s nightlife. Nest is lively and unpretentious, with music, drinks, and sharing platters. And for whisky lovers, Black Rock has hundreds of whiskies available by the dram in a striking hollow tree trunk interior.
