Shhhhhh! From tucked-away cocktail lounges to underground pubs, there are countless secret bars in London waiting to be uncovered 🍹
Get ready to explore magical mocktail and cocktail menus inspired by sorcery, planet Earth and even Pokémon. Read on to discover some of the most outrageous hidden bars in London.
1. Nightjar – Shoreditch
Blink and you’ll miss this elegant, secret bar in London! Situated off Old Street in Shoreditch and hidden behind an unassuming door with only a bird-engraved plaque to identify it, sits Nightjar.
Renowned for its reviving cocktail menus, atmospheric jazz nights and low-lit, intimate interiors, Nightjar is a true London speakeasy. Inspired by Latin routes, Nightjar’s creative cocktails are complemented by monthly specials and mouthwatering small plates and desserts.
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2. Found – Shoreditch
Tucked away in the bustling streets of Shoreditch, Found is one of London’s best-kept secrets – a hidden cocktail bar that lives up to its name. Blink and you’ll miss it! Found is located just off Ravey Street and its entrance is carefully hidden under a glowing street lamp with the letter ‘F’. Discovering it feels like being let in on a local secret.
Inside, the mood shifts instantly. Low lighting, exposed brick, and intimate booths create a cosy, speakeasy-style atmosphere that contrasts sharply with Shoreditch’s buzz. Known for its expertly crafted cocktails and relaxed, unpretentious vibe, Found seats just a few dozen guests, making it feel exclusive without being elitist. Whether you’re there for a date or just a quiet drink, it offers a welcome escape from the crowds – a true hidden gem for those in the know.
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3. The Vault – Soho
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Tucked away behind the whisky-laden shelves of Milroy’s of Soho (London’s oldest whisky shop), The Vault is a covert cocktail bar that delivers pure speakeasy magic under the streets of Soho. To find it, you simply head to the rear of the shop and gently push a hidden bookcase – yes, it swings open – revealing a blue-lit staircase leading you down to this intimate underground lounge.
Inside, the ambience is candlelit and cosy, with bare brick walls and handcrafted wood furniture. Signature cocktails range from whisky-led creations to imaginative concoctions. You’ll love The Vault’s relaxed vibe and occasional live jazz that emerges unexpectedly downstairs. It’s the perfect spot for a private rendezvous, a low-key night out or a memorable date – just try not to mention it too loudly!
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4. The Natural Philosopher – Hackney
If intimate dining and mind-blowing flavours are your thing, then The Natural Philosopher is the hidden bar for you. Described as Hackney’s hidden gem, this London cocktail bar is a cosy spot filled with ambient lighting, exposed brick, rustic decor and (of course) delicious cocktails.
With a brand new menu, The Natural Philosopher’s expert mixologists have crafted an array of cocktails and mocktails inspired by Earth’s gorgeous terrain. From the fresh, light Beryl influenced by wetlands to the tannic, herbal Crown Shy inspired by woodland terrain – we’re sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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5. Opium – Chinatown
Tucked behind a whimsical jade-painted door right in the heart of Chinatown, you’ll find Opium. This dim sum cocktail bar brings together not just one but three tantalising secret bars with a Shanghai-inspired twist.
Offering a collection of stunning oriental-influenced cocktails and mocktails, Opium has even grabbed a spot on the Top50CocktailBars global list. If you’re looking for an extra special evening, book your seat at the Peony bartender table, where expert mixologists are ready to serve you a memorable cocktail treat.
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6. Evans & Peel Detective Agency – Kensington
Ring the doorbell, negotiate with the detective and uncover the immersive 1920s oasis of the Evans & Peels Detective Agency. Behind this hidden bar’s humble facade, you’ll discover a quirky, cleverly designed detective hangout serving up perfectly mixed bootlegged liquor alongside swinging jazz and blues performances.
With a menu inspired by the biggest gangsters in the business, the Evans & Peels Detective Agency is the ultimate vintage speakeasy experience in West London.
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7. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town – Spitalfields
Hidden inside one of London’s favourite all-day breakfast joints, you’ll never guess how to enter The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. Well, at The Breakfast Club Spitalfields, simply ask to see ‘the Mayor’, and you’ll be guided through a modest Smeg fridge down into The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town’s basement bar.
With fun and cheekiness at the centre of this secret bar, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town offers the warmest of welcomes. Discover a boozy brunch every weekend and a spectacular menu with all the thrills.
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Why not enjoy your cocktails with a view? Check out our list of Britain’s 10 best rooftop bars here.
8. The Little Scarlet Door – Soho
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Tucked behind a solitary red door on Soho’s Greek Street, The Little Scarlet Door is one of London’s worst-kept secrets! The Little Scarlet Door’s bold entrance perfectly hints that something extraordinary lies beyond. Step through the unassuming doorway and you’ll feel like you’ve been invited into a New York–style loft flat, complete with plush velvet sofas and a warmly lit, open-plan living space. It’s a home you wish you lived in, only this one serves cocktails!
Inside, the kitchen doubles as a bar, where sharing cocktails are poured into vases and mixing bowls. A Smeg fridge in scarlet hues, sauce-stained cookbooks and mismatched glassware help sell the illusion of a lived-in house party. Drift through quirky breakout rooms such as the laundry (yes, complete with detergent bottles), the rubber‑duck-laden shower or the intimate nook.
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9. WC – Clapham
Described as ‘unexpectedly romantic’ by the Nudge, WC Clapham is probably in the most out-of-the-blue London location on this list… A former Victorian toilet.
Sitting underneath Clapham Common Tube Station, WC Clapham has been restored into an intimate bar with original mosaic flooring and tiled walls present throughout. Renowned for its expert wine and cheese pairings, WC Clapham has even been described as one of the best secret bars in London!
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10. Barts – Chelsea
In a city teeming with hidden speakeasy gems, Barts stands out as a local and tourist favourite. Dubbing themselves ‘London’s worst kept secret’ (and rightfully so), stepping into Barts Chelsea feels like you’ve time-travelled straight back to the roaring 1920s.
Hidden within a charmingly quirky apartment block in Chelsea, Barts delivers a splendid menu of 40 ‘bootlegged beverages’. Arriving with a crew? The Mad Hatter sharing cocktail is perfect for larger groups – bottoms up, friends!
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11. Cache Cache – Covent Garden
Tucked discreetly beneath Covent Garden’s lively Piazza at 5 The Piazza, Cache Cache (French for “hide and seek”) is a modern-day speakeasy cloaked in secrecy. From the street, there’s almost no indication of what lies below. A nondescript door opens into a corridor of mirrors, industrial-looking panels and perhaps a hidden bathroom – each door a subtle cue before guests are ushered through to the entrance of the bar itself.
Once inside, you emerge into an intimate subterranean world designed for just 60 people. The bar is styled with exposed brick, copper piping, velvet booths, ambient lighting, even houseplants and minimalist art deco elements that evoke a glamorous 1920’s vibe.
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12. SUPERMAX – King’s Cross
Vermouth lovers, this hidden cocktail bar is the one for you! Bringing disco, DJs and happy hour together in perfect harmony, SUPERMAX is a late-night cocktail lounge located underneath the popular King’s Cross pizza joint, Happy Face Pizza.
Open four nights a week, SUPERMAX is a neon wonderland with regular DJ sets perfect for anyone looking for a late-night boogie. The happy hour bar menu also features expertly crafted vermouth-inspired cocktails. Open until the early hours, SUPERMAX has even been named “London’s coolest happy hour” by Time Out.
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13. Callooh Callay – Shoreditch
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This hidden cocktail bar, nestled in a Shoreditch side street, is bound to bring out the inner kid in you. East London’s Callooh Callay is a quirky, secret cocktail bar serving a wonderfully unique cocktail menu. The main bar itself feels like a Wonderland-inspired lounge, but the true magic lies beyond the mirrored wardrobe at the back, which opens to reveal the Jubjub, a semi-hidden speakeasy reserved for those in the know (or lucky enough to be on the guest list).
And Callooh Callay’s menu is as playful as the décor. Expect drinks served in ornate glassware and the drinks themselves are inventive without being gimmicky. Expect expertly crafted cocktails with clever names, bold flavours and plenty of creativity. Whether you’re sipping something smoky in a hidden booth or just soaking in the surreal surroundings, Callooh Callay offers a memorable night out that feels like discovering a secret world.
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