Best bars in London | World's Best Bars

Best Bars in

London

Come the weekend, London is a city ablaze with nightlife. From the West End to the East End, from the North Bank to the South Bank, the city's map is lit up with bars and clubs, buzzing with the cosmopolitan flavours London is world-famous for. Take it all in by going underground; follow the iconic Tube map to sample the secret bars in London bubbling beneath the city's surface.

Start in Shoreditch, an arty area that’s home to the most hipster venues in town. Young creative minds and free-spirited trendsetters flock to the cool galleries, bars and clubs spread around the neighborhood. Vintage and indie stores abound, and you’ll also find a thriving and diverse foodie scene, from artisan cafes to trendy gastropubs to delicious international cuisine. Hip neighboring Hoxton is equally worth discovering, and so is creative Hackney and its verdoyant London Fields, so make sure you explore them as well. If you’re in the area on a Sunday, you should also stop by authentic Bethnal Green to check out the unmissable Columbia Road Flower Market. And whatever you do, don’t end your tour of East London without heading down to iconic Brick Lane for some quality thrifting, record shopping and street art spotting.

Then move on to trendy Angel, also one of the coolest places in the city. This local favorite is loved for its dynamic restaurant and bar scene and overall vibrant cultural atmosphere. A lively entertainment hub, it has everything from stylish cocktail bars to traditional pubs and global eateries, which you’ll find around Upper Street and Islington Green. Shopping-wise, the antique stores, independent labels and vintage boutiques over at Camden Passage are filled with original finds. Just 2 miles away is famous Camden Town and its eclectic mix of markets, cuisines, bars and live music venues. It’s definitely more touristy, but that doesn’t make it any less of a must-visit.

Time to venture further west to picturesque Notting Hill and its iconic Portobello Road, a world-famous bohemian hotspot known for its historic market where you’ll find everything from antiques to vintage and new fashion and delicious food. A wide choice of stylish bars, upscale restaurants, cozy cafes and trendy boutiques can be found all around the area. Each August, the Notting Hill Carnival draws crowds of millions from around the world in a colorful celebration of the neighborhood’s Caribbean heritage.

Next, take the Central line to Oxford Circus, in the iconic West End. The commercial and entertainment heart of the city, this is where many of London‘s major tourist attractions, shopping destinations and entertainment venues – among which the famous West End theatres – are concentrated. The area hides a number of swanky speakeasies, and the famously buzzy streets of Soho have countless exciting dining and nightlife options.

Then jump on the Victoria line, head south and get ready to come up for air. Alight at Brixton and discover London’s most colorful side. Home to the city’s Jamaican, African and Caribbean community (and the birthplace of one David Bowie), the area made infamous by the 1981 riots is now widely gentrified, but still authentic at its core. Discover its vibrant street art, cool cafes, indie record stores, and trendy craft cocktail joints before hitting up one of its famous clubs and concert venues. Finally, don’t leave without swinging by nearby Peckham, a hip up-and-coming area that’s also rife with excellent nighttime spots, from rooftops to railway arch bars to cool old-school pubs.