Soho is one of London’s trendiest areas, packed with nightclubs, restaurants and bars ready to welcome locals and visitors alike for a great night out. From stunning cocktail clubs to cosy wine bars to hidden speakeasies with live music, sultry date night destinations and cool hotspots to dance the night away, the best bars in Soho promise some memorable times.
Check out an award-winning cocktail bar featuring seasonal flavours and tasty bites, or swing by a modern wine bar focused on organic, low-intervention labels. Spanish wines pair perfectly with crowd-favourite croquette tapas, while a French bistro serves up cocktails in a Parisian atmosphere. A hotel bar and restaurant boasts Soho-inspired cocktails and one of London’s best Sunday roasts, while a rooftop bar serves up Japanese drinks and dishes. A lounge with a vintage feel is perfect for a romantic evening, while Chinatown’s best-kept secret offers a unique hidden speakeasy experience. Jazz and cocktails go hand in hand at a Soho institution, and you can learn everything you need to know about whisky and gin at one of the city’s best liquor stores.
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Your next night out is set to be outstanding at the best bars in Soho
For one of the best cocktail bars in Soho – visit Three Sheets – Soho
Award-winning cocktail bar Three Sheets – Soho serves up a customer-focused cocktail experience. Expertly prepared drinks on sleek marble counters set the perfect tone for a relaxed evening in Soho. The seasonal menu ensures you can always enjoy fresh garnishes and flavours to match the weather outside. A food menu of elegant light bites makes this a great pre or post-dinner spot for drinks and nibbles. Pair a cherry americano made with American vergano and cherry bark with a platter of Maldon oysters served with hot sauce. Or, sip on the unique white Russian with coffee-washed vodka and miso while you try the mustard chips. For a slightly more substantial meal, order the fluffy Nova Scotia lobster roll; it pairs perfectly with the Koseret tea dirty martini. If you find yourself in East London, be sure to swing by the sister restaurant Three Sheets – Dalston.
For one of the best wine bars in Soho – check out Bar Crispin
Sleek, modern and a little moody, Bar Crispin is one of Soho’s best wine bars. Locally sourced ingredients, low-intervention wines and a seasonal menu built on sharing complement the community atmosphere making this cosy bar a local favourite. Dine on European dishes that pay respect to each ingredient and sip on bio-dynamic bottles from the Loire Valley, Tenerife and beyond. The kitchen is always mixing up the menu and cellar, but expect dishes like crispy polenta with creamy aioli or BBQ sea bream with chilled tomato sauce. The bar always has a house wine offered by the glass along with bottles from all over. Try a Chardonnay from South Australia or a rosé from Sicily. Alternatively, sip on a negroni, order a jug of cider or beer or try one of the non-alcoholic drinks. Out in Spitalfields, Bar Crispin’s sister restaurant and wine bar Crispin is ideal for a special lunch.
For tapas and cocktails at one of the best bars in Soho – visit Bar Kroketa Beak Street
Light bites and relaxed vibes await at Bar Kroketa Beak Street. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or looking to settle in for a tapas feast, the bar and open kitchen are ready to welcome you. Start with a round of aperitifs before digging into classic tapas dishes alongside affordably priced Spanish wines. Expect a seasonal, sustainable touch, skillfully showcasing off-cuts and offal. Make your first stop on the menu a plate of croquetas, perhaps filled with jamón and migas or chicken and homemade mustard. These crispy, creamy snacks are a tapas staple and Bar Kroketa’s speciality − be sure to check the board for the day’s specials. The chicken and chorizo pinchos board is perfect for sharing, while the basque cheesecake brulee is an indulgent treat to end your night. Plus, if the Soho outpost is booked up, you can head to Bar Kroketa St Chrisopher’s Place a short walk away in Marylebone.
For a French bistro that doubles as one of the best bars in Soho – book your spot at Atelier Coupette
Step off the streets of London and into a Parisian bistro at Atelier Coupette. Settle in on plush leather seating in the chic, minimalistic dining area and kick things off with a cocktail or two. The bartenders at Atelier use sustainable ingredients and innovative techniques to create artistic sensory experiences. Try the midnight gimlet with gin and blackberry dubonnet or the smoked cherry sundae with Talisker and vanilla miso syrup. Pair your drinks with classic French dishes like bavette steak with Cafe de Paris butter or king prawn bisque with raw mango salsa. Finish off with a fluffy pavlova and a black truffle negroni. Atelier’s Bethnal Green sister bar Coupette offers the same innovative drinks and inviting atmosphere in London’s East End.
For a Soho bar that’s perfect for special occasions – head to Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant
Dig into classic British dishes while sipping on unique cocktails and aromatic wines at Ham Yard Bar and Restaurant. Housed in the Ham Yard Hotel, this elegant, colourful restaurant is perfect for celebrations and special occasions. Put together a seasonal feast of Carlingford Lough rock oysters, hand-carved smoked salmon and roast monkfish. Don’t miss the house-glazed Ham Yard ham. From the bar, experience one of the stories of Soho signature cocktails. Try the blushed tomato with clarified gazpacho and Pod pea vodka, or the heroes with grapefruit gin and citrus oil. This is also one of Soho’s best spots for Sunday lunch with live music, plenty of sides and a glass of wine.
For one of the best rooftop bars in Soho – head up to 8 at The Londoner
Drink under the stars at 8 at The Londoner. This izakaya-style bar brings the atmosphere and flavours of Japan’s pubs to the heart of Soho. The menu features contemporary twists on classic dishes alongside innovative cocktails and great views. Look out at Big Ben and Trafalgar Square while sipping on smooth sake and enjoying Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu. Try one of the signature martinis like the matcha made with Haku vodka, matcha and Martini Ambrato. Or, opt for a sakura royale made with Roku gin, cherry blossom liqueur and green tea cordial. Pair your drinks with smooth sea bass carpaccio or beef gyoza tacos with truffle chilli dressing. For light bites, snack on crispy garlic and chilli edamame or juicy Nocellara and Halkidiki olives.
For a romantic date night at one of the best bars in Soho – book a table for two at Amici Soho
Love is always in the air at Amici Soho. Pockets of warm lighting create a candlelit vibe in the stylish dining area. Carpeted flooring, patterned artworks and brass fixtures bring a vintage feel to this inviting cocktail bar and restaurant. From Thursday to Saturday, DJs and live performances keep the good vibes going all night long. This is one of the best spots in London for classic cocktails made with care. Try an old fashioned made with Woodford bourbon or sip on a margarita made with Jose Cuervo tequila. Alternatively, try one of the mocktails like the virgin mojito or the strawberry smash. The Italian Mediterranean menu is perfect for you to share, with plates of crispy fried calamari and creamy arancini. Follow it up with a hearty main like the burrata-stuffed tortelloni served with a black truffle sauce or the seabass fillet with Sicilian capers. Whether you’re celebrating your love for your partner, your family or your friends, prepare yourself for a luxury evening at Amici.
For one of the best hidden bars in Soho – check out Opium Cocktail Bar & Dim Sum Parlour in Chinatown
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Soho’s bustling Chinatown hides a simple jade door and a set of winding stairs that leads to Opium Cocktail Bar & Dim Sum Parlour. Spread across three different spaces, this decadent lounge with dramatic red lighting is perfect for anyone looking for something unique in Soho. Try signature cocktails like the sparkling pearls made with whiskey, umeshu liqueur, sparkling sake and yuzu pearls, or the twinkle star made with vodka, St Germain Elderflower liqueur and boba pearls. A dim sum platter makes the perfect pairing for any cocktail. Dig into fluffy BBQ pork buns and seasonal vegetable dumplings or snack on crunchy chilli rice crackers and wasabi peas.
For whisky tastings and gin masterclasses – visit The Bar at Home in Soho
Brightly lit and welcoming, The Bar at Home is one of London’s best spots to learn more about your favourite drinks. Let the bartenders take you on a journey with tastings, masterclasses and more. Book the whisky tasting and learn the stories and techniques behind each dram. The wine tasting takes you on a trip to vineyards around the world. If you’re a gin-lover, check out the gin masterclass, where you’ll learn the history and unique aspects of a wide variety of bottles. The what’s your cocktail experience is a great way to try a little bit of everything, while tequila Thursdays are all about shots. Once you’ve learnt all about the wide world of wines and spirits, you can peruse the shop to grab bottles and bar accessories to start building your bar at home.
For live music and great drinks – check out Jazz After Dark
Jazz After Dark has been one of Soho’s best late-night hideaways since it opened in 1985. Keep an eye out for the neon-lit martinis in the window and head inside for drinks, eats and live music. Jazz After Dark has played host to both up-and-coming acts and established musicians, including Amy Winehouse, whose presence can be felt everywhere from the decor to the menu. Put together a tapas platter of crispy samosas, southern fried chicken strips and spicy chicken wings. Pair it with a refreshing cocktail like a strawberry daiquiri or a tropical rumbull available by the glass or the jug. For something heartier, try the house special quarter pounder or fish and chips. On weekends, the music starts at 10 pm and the band keeps playing until 2:30 am. (Tuesday to Thursday it runs from 9 pm until 1:30 am).
Whether you’re after unique cocktails or worldwide wines, the best bars in Soho have something for you. Paired with indulgent roasts or spicy share plates, the kitchen and the bar work in tandem to create unforgettable flavours. Perfect for pre-, post- and during-dinner drinks, your next night out in Soho is sorted.
Don’t miss out – book your spot at the best bars in Soho on OpenTable today.
Looking for more great nights out in London? Check out these guides:
- The 10 best cocktail bars in London for killer drinks and slick vibes
- The 10 best bars in London for an exceptional night out
- The best live music restaurants in London for a fun night out
- The 10 best pubs in London for roaring good times
- 9 destinations for showstopping desserts in London
- The 10 best wine bars in London for cracking food and wine pairings
