A Selection of London's Trendiest Bars

We’ve created this guide to the trendiest bars, so you can have a great time, whether you stay for one drink or the whole evening.  

Just minutes from Leicester Square, Peony is a secret bar within a secret bar. It’s inside Opium, a 1920s themed oriental themed cocktail bar and Dim Sum parlour. Everything about this place is magical, from the way you have to find the Jade Door and the red staircase, to their cocktails which are served in teapots.  Peony is an intimate space within Opium, hidden behind a red curtain. It has its own unique drinks menu, so choosing what to drink first can be fun.   

This Alice in Wonderland themed bar is a real treat to visit. It takes its name from the Mad Hatter’s poem ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat, how I wonder what you're at’ but it’s décor isn’t Disney. Instead, it’s like a classy library with comfy armchairs and leather chesterfield inspired booths. It’s an award- winning neighbourhood bar with communal drinks and sharing platters. A great place to catch up while drinking new and exciting cocktails.  

You’ll love this candlelit cocktail lounge with a balcony overlooking Leicester Square, it’s extra special. It has a French Boudoir look, with stylish red sofas and beautiful chandeliers. Celebrities such as Madonna and Julia Roberts have visited in the past so don’t be surprised if you see a famous face or two.  

Forget about work for the night and get the holiday feeling by visiting the Floripa. This tropical bar has a Brazilian beach theme and it’s bound to put a smile on your face from the second you step inside. It’s fun and vibrant, whatever time you visit but from 10pm the music goes up and the party really starts. It’s ideal for a Friday night when you don’t have to get up early the next day. 

To enjoy drinks and dancing, the African-themed Shaka Zulu is perfect. It’s a bar, restaurant and club, set over two floors. The cocktails and nibbles are great, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There’s a tranquil water garden, zebra print bar, 60-foot high murals… it’s a totally unique venue. At the end of the night it’ll only take you five minutes to walk to Camden Town Tube Station. 

Take a step back in time and visit the exclusive, themed Victorian Bath House. Revel in the luxury and elegance of this Grade II listed building, as you sip Victorian themed cocktails with a modern twist. You’ll leave wishing you’d have discovered this ‘jewel in the heart of London’ earlier.