Once upon a meter , London was n’t exactly known for excellent food and drink … which , yes , might be a considerable understatement . But fourth dimension have changed , and in recent years , London has become one of the secure cocktail and bar vista in the world – some might even saythebest cocktail setting in the world . And that ’s not just hometown pridefulness talk : bartender from the Colony – a part of the world that tends to imagine it both invented and perfected the cocktail – now reckon to the Big hummer as a city of crapulence inspiration , solemnization , and a good night out .
The fun factor
imbibition should always be fun , and London takes a sentience of gaming and risky venture to heart . measure here wish to ensure you ’re having a great prison term while knocking back some sea wolf beverages . The idea of a tone cocktail hideaway that cross over into party land might seem obvious , but across the pond , this idea is a bite more foreign … at some of the wet American speakeasy , " appreciating a cocktail " can feel like a lot like work .
In a world where ripe cocktail drinking often goes hand in manus with elect and pretentious behavior , there are a solid number of bars pumping out calibre drinks at high volumes that also just require you to have a skilful time , disregardless whether you’re able to name five types of gin or not .
" The London bar setting to me is more playful and whimsical than what I see here in the US , " sound out Yael Vengroff , the beverage managing director of the craft cocktail bar / bowling alley in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel . " This is n’t to say that folks are n’t be that expressive style in America . It ’s just not the focal point . Amazing bars to me would beTrailer Happiness , Callooh Callay , [ and]Artesian . I get it on the attitude and experience of theLCCbars . LABis almost like the fundament of all of the above , andEl Camionis my favorite post to pledge every night of the week . "
Addie Chinn/Nightjar
Melbourne aboriginal William Pineapple , who melt Notting Hill Tiki - esque party spot Trailer Happiness before head up out to New York , is no unknown to the fire breathing , lamp swing , and tacky sing - alongs that make a definitive Saturday night .
" London bars are more ' fun ' with their drink … intend it has entry - storey cocktail streak likeBe at OneandLondon Cocktail Club , " explains Pineapple . " You do n’t have to be a snob about booze cocktails in London . Be at One still does a two - for - one all mean solar day Sunday . "
The best hotel bars
While the US was busy doing that prohibition era thing back in the 1920s , London happily embraced the movers and shakers ( heh , literally ) of the cocktail world … so , essentially , we got a huge head start on the whole game . Bet you regret that move now , dontcha , US ? Most of these pioneer mixologist down at the big hotels of London , likeThe Savoy , slinging drinks for fellow expats and locals likewise , all of whom were amazed by this new cocktail thing .
The Dead Rabbitin New York has landed in the top three on the inclination of World ’s Best Bars ( along withArtesianandNightjar ) for the past several years , and even charter home the World ’s Best Bar award at the 2015 Spirited Awards atTales of the Cocktail , which is basically the Oscars of the liquor world . Its chief bartender , Jillian Vose , feels that there is always a certain amount of friendly competition between the top prevention , but in London , the hotel bars really come out on top .
" We ’re originate to see NYC hotel ginmill taking it in earnest . But other thanNoMad , there ’s no comparison , " she enjoin . " London is kill it with hotel saloon . They ’re like apples and oranges . "
Nightjar
Pineapple check that thedrink programme at hotels are a different biz in Londoncompared with the rest of the globe . " Hotel bar in London have programs that are really inspiring , " he says . " They have money , and are n’t afraid to spend it … for instance , Artesian , Connaught Bar , andPunch Roomat The London EDITION . "
Next-level concepts
If we eat with our eyes first , it stands to cause that presentation is a immense part of how we savour our beverages , too . gamboge twist and introductory putsch crank are fine – endearing , really – but sometimes , a drink just needs to be served inside a Lego elephant … or , with a whole redolence of flowers and ironic crank . These over - the - top garnish have become an inherent part of what the great unwashed see as London - vogue cocktail . Pamela Wiznitzer , creative director oflaudedNew York barSeamstress , and chairman of the NYC chapter of the United States Bartenders Guild , tell she is consistently amazed by London ’s advancements in presentation .
" I ’ve always recover there are more hyper - theory bars in London , where they have cocktail artistry or ‘ extreme cocktailing , ’ " Wiznitzer says . " ArtesianandNightjar ’s expressive style is hugely about aesthetics … intro becomes the No . 1 factor for the drink . "
This state of Instagram - worthy cocktails sometimes add up with a considerable price rag , specially for pilgrimaging drinkers thinking about conversion rates , but this tot up grade of showmanship is all part of the equating . The top caliber products being used , combined with the practiced executing and presentation , add a story of dramatic event that ca n’t be crush anywhere .
Addie Chinn
" The cost of a drinking may be much higher , " Wiznitzer says , " but it makes the cocktail presentation more important . If guest are paying that much money , then you have to show them it ’s worth it . "
The closest affair the US has to that kind of raised intro and garnish biz isThe Aviaryin Chicago , from Michelin - approved chef Grant Achatz . drinkable film director Micah Melton likes to keep his drinks interactive and fun , and seeing the way that London likes to trifle with its drinks only tot up to his inspiration for future interactional concept .
" I feel like London is more open to new concepts instead of just trying to do speakeasy over and over and over , " Melton tellsThrillist . " The mixologist are more originative . They ’re doing something that ’s push boundaries , likeWhite Lyan . Even the classical hotel bars likeConnaught Barwith their martini handcart ; it ’s still innovative and multisensory . "
Artesian
Keeping it local
While destination prevention will always wave their trophy around , little neighbourhood bars are evenly standout in the London scene . Some mega - talented bartenders – many of whom trained up at the bigger , honor - win bars – have turned around to open their own little watering holes . Using timber component , zero faff or malarkey , and some serious heart & soul , the minuscule places have become what makes this Ithiel Town extra peculiar .
Danny Neff , who scat East Village fun - time cocktail barHoliday Cocktail Loungein New York , recently do to London to throw a pop - up atLoves Company , by Old Street . After dive into the Shoreditch ginmill circuit , he found himself at the tiny agave bar , Casita .
" Casitahad that Libra the Scales of having a great cocktail because of the fresh fixings , and it was just fun , " he says . " It had a welcoming , veritable business , and the hoi polloi who came in were looking for one thing : to have a great drink and enjoy themselves . "
Addie Chinn
This sort of easygoing attitude , with regulars who hug like - tending drinkers , really embodies why it ’s just so damn fun to drink in London … everyone wants to drink amazing beverage , toast to the adept life , and keep the party going .
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Haley Forestis a solid food & pledge writer who has make ( and potentially confused ) mint of memories in bars across London . see her adventures on all things social at @HCForest .
