The Top 10 Best Bars in Soho and Cocktail Drinking Dens

Soho in London’s West End is well known for its vibrant nightlife scene, with countless bars and pubs packed into its small streets and alleyways. As a travel blogger and reviewer in London, I’m often asked where the best bars in Soho are for cocktails, wine, whisky, late nights and more.

Which is exactly why, I’ll share my list of the 10 best bars in Soho, from cosy basement speakeasies to lively rooftop terraces. Whether you’re looking for a pre-theatre cocktail, an intimate date spot, or just a fun night out, you’ll find the perfect Soho watering hole on this list!

What Makes Soho Such a Great Area for Bars?

Soho has developed a reputation as one of the best areas of London for nightlife over the years, and for good reason. Here are some of the key factors that make it such a top destination for bars:

1. – Central location: Situated in the heart of the West End, Soho is easy to access for locals and visitors alike. Many bars are within walking distance of major theatres and tourist sites.
2. – Compact size: The small, interconnecting streets of Soho mean you can easily bar hop from one venue to the next on a night out.
3. – Diverse options: Soho bars range from tiny basement speakeasies to lively rooftop terraces, offering cocktails, craft beer, wine, whisky and more.
4. – Quirky character: With its winding streets and hidden alleyway bars, Soho has a unique charm and character. Venues are often tucked away in unexpected locations.
5. – Late night licenses: Many Soho bars are open until 3am or later, especially on weekends. This makes it a go-to area for after-hours fun.

10 Best Bars in Soho, London

Based on my extensive exploration of Soho’s drinking dens, here are my picks for the top 10 bars in Soho:

1. Blind Pig at Social Eating House

 

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Hidden behind an unmarked door in Poland Street, Blind Pig is a speakeasy-style basement bar.

It’s also worth nothing that this is an upstairs bar that’s situated right on top of the famous London restaurant Social Eating House; you can’t go wrong with good food and a killer negroni!

My friends and I decided to knock out a couple of after-work drinks and we were extremely impressed at how everything felt high-quality – It has this unique private feel because of how hidden it is, so much so that it almost feels like an exclusive, secret bar.

Great For: Date Nights, Groups of Friends 

📍Social Eating House, 58 Poland St, London W1F 7NR, United Kingdom

2. Bar Americain at Brasserie Zedel

This glamorous art deco of bar Americain instantly transports me, or anyone else, to 1930s America.

Red leather banquettes, murals and a live piano set the scene for classic cocktails like martinis and manhattans.

It’s a sophisticated yet lively spot for drinks before or after the theatre in the heart of Soho.

Everything felt classy and is a place I consider as a unique American bar in London as their food and cocktail list is mainly based upon retro and vintage mixes from America all served with fresh ingredients.

Great For: Pre-Dinner Drinks, Celebrating with friends

📍20 Sherwood St, London W1F 7ED, United Kingdom

3. Swift

Swift has one of Soho’s best rooftop bars, a surprisingly tranquil space considering its bustling central London location. Head up for sunset cocktails and soak up the views over Soho.

Downstairs has a buzzy bar with live music, DJs and dancing later at night.

It’s certainly one of the best places to drink I’ve found throughout my bar crawl, This bar serves amazing cocktails and if you get bored or if you want to have a lively and happy bar experience, simply go downstairs and dance to house music!

Great For: Pre-Drinks before partying

📍12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ, United Kingdom

4. Bar Crispin

 

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Tucked down a side alley off Dean Street, Bar Crispin is an intimate wine bar perfect for sampling natural wines. The ever-changing wine list features organic, biodynamic and skin contact options.

Small plates like charcuterie and cheese enhance the experience at this favourite Soho spot.

I don’t know about you, but exploring wines under a rustic and relaxing vibe feels like the perfect date night!

Great for: Couples, Groups of Friends

📍19 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PY, United Kingdom

5. Soma Soho

I’ve received numerous recommendations of what bars to put up in these blogs, and whenever Soho is brought up, this bar is never left unspoken for.

This hidden underground bar, is definitely one of London’s best kept secrets, with minimalist low-lit decor and comfortable lounge seating, it’s an amazing spot for date nights or just powering down from a lively pub crawl.

On top of that, they also serve delicious South Asian- inspired cocktails that are available until 3:00 a.m perfect for those looking for one last late-night drink to end the night on.

Great For: Pub-crawlers, Couples

📍14 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ, United Kingdom

6. Mr. Fogg’s Gin Club

Mr. Fogg’s is bar that serves over 300 varieties of gin, the London Gin Club is paradise for gin lovers. Settle into a leather booth in the elegant underground space and work your way through the extensive gin list. Botanical cocktails, gin flights and pairing menus are also available at this Soho gin bar.

They also offer private bookings which we’ve managed to try out. Experimenting with multiple types of gin and going through their drinks list one-by-one, just to see how far down we could go was a truly memorable experience!

Great For: Groups of friends

📍22 Great Chapel St, London W1F 8FR, United Kingdom

7. Bar Termini

For delicious Italian coffee and cocktails, check out this tiny bar on Old Compton Street, one of the best bars in Soho.

Bar Termini has an authentic retro Italian cafe vibe with marble tables, vintage espresso machines and Sicilian snacks. Aperitivo cocktails like negronis and spritzes are the specialty, with lots of variety in their houseblends.

They only seat around 20 people, creating this cosy atmosphere away from the busy streets of Soho.

Great For: Catching up with friends.

📍7 Old Compton St, London W1D 5JE, United Kingdom

8 . Barrio Soho

For fun Latino vibes and late nights in Soho, head to Barrio on Dean Street.

Inspired by the taquerias of Mexico City, this basement bar serves tacos until late alongside margaritas, tequila and mezcal. Downstairs, the party keeps going with DJs and dancing.

They also have great happy hour deals like their £3 tequila and £12 cocktail pitchers. If you’re on a budget or on a pub crawl and looking for an extremely fun night out, Barrio Soho is a good place to start. We also made sure to take part in some of the wacky events they held too!

Great For: Pub crawlers, Groups of Friends

📍6 Poland St, London W1F 8PS, United Kingdom

9. The Blue Posts

 

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Part of the Blue Posts on Berwick Street retains its traditional charm as one of Soho’s oldest pubs. With craft beers, quality wines and whiskies upstairs, it’s a reliable spot for a pint. Head upstairs to the cozy lounge bar for a more relaxed vibe.

As someone who loves to just chill and enjoy the company of friends and a pint, this place is one of my favourites.

Great For: Close Friends, Catching up with Friends

📍22 Berwick St, London W1F 0QA, United Kingdom

10. Nightjar Carnaby

For a truly unique cocktail experience in Soho, visit Nightjar. Their innovative drinks menu features homemade tinctures, shrubs, foams and syrups. Settle into the moody, steampunk-inspired interior and watch the expert bartenders at work.

One of, quite literally, the best bars in the world; their cocktail menu is highly innovative and features some truly tasty drinks.

When you’re out and about in Soho, this should be in anyone’s list!

Great For: Close friends, Adventurous people ready for different types of cocktails. 

📍Kingly Court, 49-51 Carnaby St, London W1F 9PY, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

If you’re looking for more things to do while you’re in Soho, check out some of our other guides! We’ve got a list of the best cocktail bars, best cafes, best things to do, and the best places open to the public all throughout London!

If you’re struggling to find a bar that suites your vibe or if you’re just looking to make the most out of your London visit, head on over!

FAQs

What is the atmosphere like at bars in Soho?

The bars in Soho have a lively, buzzing atmosphere, perfect for drinking and socializing. Many have intimate, low-lit interiors with a retro, vintage or speakeasy-style decor. The area has a vibrant energy at night. Top venues create a sophisticated vibe with lounge seating, live music, and attentive service.

What kinds of drinks can you find at Soho bars?

Soho bars offer an excellent range of craft cocktails, often with creative twists and high-quality ingredients. Many specialize in certain spirits like gin, whisky or rum. There are also great wine bars focusing on natural wines, along with classic British pubs serving local beers and ales.

Are there any rooftop bars or outdoor terraces?

Many of Soho’s bars are open until 1-3am, with some operating 24 hours on weekends. Good options for late night drinking include Nightjar Carnaby, it’s open until 3am, Barrio Soho (until 3am), The Blue Posts (24 hours), and The Coach & Horses is open late until 1am.

Are there any late night or 24 hour bars?

Many of Soho’s bars are open until 1-3am, with some operating 24 hours on weekends. Good options for late night drinking include Nightjar Carnaby (until 3am), Barrio Soho (until 3am), The Blue Posts (24 hours), and The Coach & Horses (until 1am).