London Cocktail Lounges: How Drinking Spots Changed Over the Decades

Cocktail lounges in London have seen every twist in social life you can imagine – and then some. Anyone who’s wandered from a Mayfair hideaway to a secret Soho speakeasy knows these spots are anything but one-size-fits-all.

Back in the day, you wouldn’t have seen a Negroni on every menu. Today, you can sip one at Dandelyan or order a whiskey sour in a wood-paneled joint older than your granddad. The magic is how these places keep changing with what Londoners want. New bars pop up in Shoreditch and Chelsea all the time, blending old-school swagger with creative booze menus and playlists you’d kill to steal for your house party.

If you’re new to London or just exploring your own city, knowing a bit about how lounge culture got started here is a game changer. It saves you from overhyped tourist traps and points you straight toward the bars where locals actually hang out—and trust me, they’re worlds apart. It pays to pay attention to where the bartenders know their stuff. If you see someone stirring a drink like it’s a science experiment at places like Satan’s Whiskers, you’re in the right spot.

Whether you’re planning a night out after work or hunting for a quirky date spot, understanding the shifts in London’s cocktail lounges will help you pick a bar that matches your mood. And stay tuned—there’s more than just fancy glassware and tiny umbrellas to talk about. London bar culture is all about creativity, reinvention, and always being just a step ahead of what’s trendy everywhere else.

• Roaring Twenties and Prohibition's Ripple
• Post-War London: Glamour and Gin
• Swinging Sixties To Power Lunches
• The Craft Revolution: 1990s to 2010s
• Today’s Experiential Lounges
• How to Pick a London Cocktail Lounge

Roaring Twenties and Prohibition's Ripple

When people think about the 1920s and cocktail culture, images of secret bars and bootlegged booze in America usually come up. But here in London, the cocktail lounge scene grew for totally different reasons. While Prohibition hit the United States hard in 1920, shutting down legal bars, London actually benefited. American bartenders who lost their jobs crossed the Atlantic and brought their skills and recipes along.

One of the earliest and most legendary spots was the American Bar at The Savoy, which still operates today. Harry Craddock, author of the historic 'Savoy Cocktail Book,' famously fled Prohibition and made London his stage. His influence helped turn the London cocktail lounges scene into a hub for creative mixology.

Back then, cocktails became a statement. Instead of sticking to gin on ice, Londoners started exploring recipes that sounded strange at first—think Sidecars, Bee's Knees, and French 75s. Some of these drinks have stuck around and never left London’s best bar menus.

The lounges of that era had real character. Expect plush armchairs, big band music, and a show-off culture that welcomed both royalty and rising stars. Because London was outside the reach of American laws, you could actually get imported spirits, which made menus broader than what was available across the pond.

Here's a quick look at how cocktail lounges grew during this decade:

If you want to relive some of this roaring history, you can book a spot at The Savoy’s American Bar or try The Connaught Bar, which also draws on old-school glamour. Want a taste of history without the price tag? Look for events like London Cocktail Week, where some bars recreate classic speakeasy vibes and menu throwbacks for a fraction of usual prices.

The bottom line: London’s lounge scene got its modern flair by welcoming outsiders and embracing new tricks early on. So next time you order a Sidecar, thank a 1920s expat who shook things up for all of us.

Post-War London: Glamour and Gin

The years right after World War II totally changed the vibe of London cocktail lounges. When the ration books finally disappeared in 1954, Londoners rushed to embrace a sense of celebration they’d been missing for ages. Suddenly, you started seeing velvet booths, polished chrome, and smartly dressed bartenders everywhere—from the classic American Bar at The Savoy to tiny hotel lounges hidden near Hyde Park.

This was the age when gin really cemented itself as London’s drink. Brands like Beefeater, first distilled in Kennington, became household names. The popularity of easy-to-make drinks like the gin and tonic exploded, especially since tonic helped mask the taste of lower-quality gins found right after the war.

For most people, these lounges offered a sense of occasion. You didn’t go just for the drinks—you went to see and be seen. Men wore suits, women put on their best dresses, and the city’s jazz scene spilled directly into its lounges, especially in hotspots around Soho. If you walked into The Ritz’s Rivoli Bar back then, chances are you’d recognize a famous writer or TV face, since lounges became the go-to spot for London’s creative crowd.

If you’re chasing that post-war elegance today, you’ll still find bars in London nodding to the era. Order a dry martini at Dukes Bar in St. James’s—legend has it that Ian Fleming got his inspiration for James Bond’s "shaken, not stirred" there. Best tip? Dress sharp and don’t rush through your drink. Part of the fun is soaking up the old-school service and watching bartenders who treat every cocktail like a work of art.

Swinging Sixties To Power Lunches

The 1960s flipped London’s bar scene upside down. You had the Beatles and the Rolling Stones turning up everywhere, and suddenly, cocktail lounges weren’t just for stuffy blokes in suits—they became cool hangouts for artists, musicians, and anyone who wanted to break the rules. The American Bar at The Savoy was buzzing, pulling in everyone from royalty to rockstars. Soho’s lounges started mixing up new drinks to match the wild fashion and music swirling around Carnaby Street and King’s Road.

People talk about the London cocktail lounges of the ‘60s like they were all about martinis and witty banter, but they were actually a test lab for new drinks and pushing boundaries. Drinks started getting brighter—think Blue Lagoon or Tequila Sunrise—and bartenders got more creative with how and what they served.

By the ‘80s and early ‘90s, the city’s lounges went from mod and Rock ‘n’ Roll to plush, slick, power-dressed. Lawyers and stockbrokers moved in. Lounges around the City and Canary Wharf, like the original Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Bar, became offices away from the office—a place to make deals, not just drinks. The whole ‘power lunch’ was born, with gin and tonics and vodka martinis sliding across shiny tables at breakneck speed.

Here’s a quick look at how the drinks (and the people ordering them) changed during this era:

If you want to feel that swing today, spots like The American Bar still channel the best of retro glam, while other places like Bar Termini bring that Italian ‘60s feel to Soho. Dress smart if you’re hitting the fancier ones—some classic lounges never dropped the dress code. Oh, and if you’re all about that power lunch vibe, book ahead. Prime tables around Bank or Mayfair are still where a lot of deals go down, even now.

The Craft Revolution: 1990s to 2010s

If you were hanging around London’s bars in the early ‘90s, cocktails looked pretty much the same everywhere: boring vodka sodas, basic rum and cokes, and sadly, more pre-mixed syrups than actual skill behind the bar. Then suddenly—almost overnight—it all changed. Craft cocktail lounges started popping up, led by bartenders obsessed with doing things right, from fresh ingredients to perfect ice cubes. This was when London became a real player in the cocktail world.

One major turning point: Dick Bradsell at The Atlantic Bar & Grill. He’s the guy behind the now-legendary Espresso Martini and Bramble. These weren’t just drinks—they became staples, and his style spread across the city. As you hop between lounges today, you still see his influence on menus and methods. Soho’s LAB Bar, which opened in 1999, became the unofficial school for dozens of London’s top bartenders, cranking out original creations and raising expectations for what a proper drink could be.

The real shift happened because people actually wanted better cocktails, not just cheaper prices or fancier couches. It wasn’t just about what you drank, but how it was made and even where ingredients came from. Suddenly, you saw bars like Milk & Honey and Trailer Happiness offer house-made syrups, craft bitters, and spirits with stories. Shaken, not stirred? Now bartenders asked if you wanted your martini with gin or vodka, lemon twist or olive, literally tailoring every detail.

By the mid-2000s, London cocktail lounges were winning international awards. Dandelyan, on the South Bank, picked up World’s Best Bar in 2018 (just after these boom years), but its roots trace right back to the craft movement. At the same time, the big spirits companies started noticing this trend and pumped money into training and high-end products—so finding a decent cocktail on a random Tuesday night wasn’t just possible, it started to be expected.

London became known as the go-to destination for cocktail innovation, leading to a wave of other food and drink revolutions around the city. If you care about facts and numbers, here’s a quick look at the growth of craft-focused bars versus your typical pub across those years:

So when you walk into one of London’s new wave lounges today, know you’re part of a story that started with bartenders who wanted something better—and locals who were ready to drink smarter. If you ever get a chance to watch a bartender work their magic at London cocktail lounges like Nightjar or Hawksmoor, soak it in. You’re seeing decades of craft, not just another fancy drink.

Today’s Experiential Lounges

If you think London’s cocktail lounge scene is just about flashy decor, think again. Today’s best spots are all about experience. It’s not enough to just serve a good drink—the place has got to give you a story to tell your mates the next day.

Take places like The Alchemist or Cahoots. At The Alchemist in Old Street, they push the limits with drinks that bubble, smoke, or look like something out of a science class. Over at Cahoots in Kingly Court, you drink cocktails in an old Underground train carriage—yep, your booth is literally a vintage tube stop. These places nail the wow factor without coming off as stuffy or overpriced tourist traps.

And then you have bars like Nightjar, near Old Street, which consistently lands on the World’s 50 Best Bars list. Why? Think live jazz, dim lights, and drinks you won’t find at your corner pub—like mezcal concoctions with edible flowers. Your average London cocktail lounge in 2025 is probably stocking a hundred different spirits, a wall full of cool glassware, and a bartending staff who know their agave from their rye.

If you’re looking for a real experience, here’s what’s on trend across London this year:

• Themed nights and menus: Callooh Callay in Shoreditch rotates themes every few months, sometimes serving only one spirit (like gin or rum) in crazy new ways.
• Interactive mixology: Some bars now offer you the option to pick ingredients, design-your-own cocktails, or book a hands-on class. Lyaness on the South Bank has a "creative cocktail kitchen" setup most weekends.
• Zero proof but full flavour: Sober nights are legit cool, with places like Redemption Bar building an entire non-alcoholic menu that doesn’t suck.
• Immersive storytelling: Evans & Peel Detective Agency makes you solve a fictional crime before you get to the drinks list.

Want to know which areas are leading the charge? Check this:

The practical upshot? There’s no one-size-fits-all anymore. Pick a lounge for the experience you want—whether it’s wild drinks, chill live music, or a secret cocktail tasting behind a bookcase. The best advice: book ahead, especially on weekends, and don’t just go for fancy Instagram pics—ask your bartender what excites them lately. You’ll almost always leave with new favourites (and some wild stories).

How to Pick a London Cocktail Lounge

London’s packed with bars big and small, but not every place calling itself a “cocktail lounge” is worth your time. The best ones usually have a blend of atmosphere, location, real mixology skills, and, not surprisingly, a bit of attitude. So how do you narrow it down?

London cocktail lounges come in so many shapes that some places on Old Compton Street feel nothing like those high-up rooftop bars near St Paul’s. Here’s what to actually pay attention to when you’re choosing where to spend your evening (or afternoon—no judgement):

• Vibe and crowd: If you want quiet conversation, don’t pick a spot with a DJ. Head to lounges like Scarfes Bar in Holborn for comfy chairs and low-lit corners. If you’re up for something flashier, The Nightjar in Shoreditch nails that jazzy, social feel without the typical club chaos.
• Drinks menu: Can’t see classic cocktails like the Sazerac or a well-made Old Fashioned? Probably not a serious lounge. The best menus in town show off twists alongside reliable favourites. Bar Termini near Soho is famous for its tiny but top-shelf menu, including their house Negroni.
• Staff know-how: Ask a bartender anything off-menu—maybe a Ramos Gin Fizz or how they infuse their spirits. If they look terrified, time to walk. Good London bartenders love to show off their knowledge. At places like Swift in Soho, the staff’s chatty, fast, and genuinely know what they’re doing.
• Location: Central doesn’t always mean better, but it does help if you want to keep things spontaneous. Fitzrovia, Soho, and Shoreditch are all strong bets, with lots of lounge options within a short walk of each other and the Tube.
• Pricing and booking: Expect to pay from £10-£20 per drink at reputable lounges (sometimes more if they’re using complex methods). Fridays and Saturdays can get rammed, so booking ahead is smart for anywhere hyped.

For a quick glance at what people value most in London’s bar scene, here’s what regulars mention most when reviewing their favourite lounges:

Tip: Always check if the lounge has a dress code or guest list, especially around Covent Garden or Mayfair. Winging it in trainers might be fine in Dalston, but not at The Connaught Bar.

Don’t fall for the hype—just because a place is trending on TikTok doesn’t mean it’s where you’ll have the best time. Ask locals, check online menus, and, if in doubt, start at a classic and work your way out from there. London’s cocktail lounges have a spot for every mood—when you know what to look for, you’re set.