Quirky Soho Bars

If you're on the hunt for a quirky spot in the city, be sure to check out Swift Soho. Situated on Old Compton Street, this glorious venue is touting two floors, including a swanky upstairs bar that's ideal for Champagne catch-ups, alongside a ground floor space for those low-key drinks.

If dim sum and cocktails sounds like your kind of night out, then a trip to quirky Soho spot Opium should definitely be on the cards. Hidden behind a nondescript door on Gerrard Street, this secret bar is serving up ambitious set menus inspired by everything from the zodiac calendar to feng shui. 

A pretty private members room in Central London, The Arts Theatre Club is a gorgeous spot for those in the know. Offering a splash of Prohibition era glamour and some striking drinks to boot, it's one of the coolest bars in the area.

The Little Violet Door draws inspiration from a make-believe apartment to create a fun-filled cocktail bar in the heart of Carnaby. With cute blush walls, cushy velvet couches, and a groovy vinyl bar, this unique spot also features whimsical artwork, bookshelves, and impromptu kitchen dance parties. Spanning two levels, downstairs boasts a playroom with various board games while DJs spin tunes from Wednesday to Saturday. Feelin' hungry? The menu offers tasty prawn tacos, popcorn, and sweetcorn fritters, along with signature cocktails like the tequila-based Sex and the City.

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Freedom can be found in all its glory on Wardour Street, offering fantastic vibes in a swish setting, full of velvet booths, sparkly lights and golden embellished mirrors on the wall. It's the ultimate destination if you're looking for a gay bar that hosts cabaret and drag shows. Check out either the downstairs area for one of its dazzling events or head up to grab a tasty cocktail in the pretty lounge. On the menu, you'll find signature cocktails like a Bette Davis, made with lychee, ginger and lemon, or the rum-based Marlon Brando. 

Inspired by the hard-partying history of its neighbourhood, Karma Sanctum Hotel is a quirky Soho bar keeping the spirit of rock'n'roll well and truly alive. Whether you're enjoying city sights from their rooftop terrace or knocking back bellinis at a bottomless brunch, this lavish location always makes for a raucous night out.

For pirate-themed interiors and extravagant drinks, The Cocktail Club Shaftesbury Avenue is the place to hit. Head down into the subterranean bar and get to sipping on some of the quirkiest cocktails in Soho, complete with throwback tunes blasting through the speakers.

Once the go-to spot for the rich and famous during the 60s, Disrepute has cast off some of its former infamies and settled for being one of the most innovative cocktail bars. Each drink comes with a short story from the venue's heyday inspired by the faces that once frequented the area.

Soho Residence takes over three floors of a beautiful building in the West End, the first of which is a dedicated gin parlor with elegant interiors and tall windows, perfect for peering out over the streets below. Head upstairs to frequent the botanical cocktail bar where you'll find hanging plants from the ceiling and drinks such as pornstar martinis and cosmopolitans. Signature tipples include the fruity Raspberry Fool and the Patron Silver-based Down In Mexico.

Thirst Soho is a buzzing bar that's been running for over twenty years and delivering on exceptional cocktails consistently. It's split over two floors, with an intimate, low-lit space on the ground floor and a downstairs open a little later, playing host to DJs and plenty of shots. Open all throughout the week until 3am (apart from Sundays), it's the ideal destination for a late-night drink in a cool space. During 'stupid hour', cosmopolitans and Tom Collins' are all £7 each and £9 during happy hour, plus you can sip on signature tipples like The Business, made with vodka, elderflower and Sauvignon Blanc for £9.50 during that time too. 

One of the best affordable quirky bars in Soho, Simmons is a hotspot for after-work drinks and big nights out. From kitsch decor and retro games to teapot cocktails and a ludicrously long happy hour, the Bateman Street party spot certainly isn't lacking in character.

As its name might suggest, you'll find Basement Sate below street level in a dimly lit space under Broadwick Street. The secret Soho bar is one of the coolest finds in the area, dishing out a mix of Parisian chic, quirky cocktails and a dessert-only menu.

The Lower Third is a cocktail lounge and live music bar on Denmark Street, one that promises you an evening of dancing 'til you drop. Expect tailored programming in The Forge (The Grade II-listed site of the iconic 12 Bar) and a club room to boot.

Get transported to South America as soon as you step foot through the doors of Salsa! Soho - the nightclub and bar brings heaps of colour, culture and delicious cocktails to the heart of London. You can expect to strap on your dancing shoes and get down to Latin music on a regular basis here, as well as revel in happy hours and six different types of mojitos (think lychee-flavoured or watermelon and prosecco). If you fancy something a little more wow-factor, how about getting your lips around the Solero, which features Smirnoff Mango and passion fruit purée.

Taking cues from the iconic loft apartments of New York, The Little Scarlet Door is a gorgeous addition to this bar group's repertoire of seriously cool secret bars. Find the entrance on Greek Street (red marks the spot) and you'll be treated to DJs, an Andy Warhol-inspired vault, cocktails and more. If you're looking for a more casual, flat share-inspired haunt, then The Little Violet Door, backing onto Carnaby, is the place for you. 

When it comes to a great night out in London, it's hard to do better than this Soho karaoke bar. Located on Poland Street, Lucky Voice is getting you and the gang into your own private booth so you can belt out those classic bangers without the usual judgement from the neighbours.

Found within the iconic Empire Casino on Leicester Square, Dovetail Bar is a sleek space that's filled with dark furnishings, tiled walls and cosy leather booths. Plus, there's an outdoor rooftop terrace that provides amazing views of the bustling streets below.

You can enjoy a range of delicious cocktails here, and their talented bartenders even offer masterclasses, so you can try your hand at making them yourself. What's more, you'll find DJ sets here until 2 or 3am.

An ideal location for chilled drinks in Soho, BrewDog is a casual craft beer bar with a whole lot going on. With over 20 brews on tap and innumerable bottles and cans stashed in the fridges, it's a magnet for beer-lovers from across London.

With tables fronting fire bits, stacked up logs and rings of twinkling lights, you could mistake Albert's Schloss London for an Alpine lodge, except one that hosts live entertainment every night of the week and whips up moreish Bavarian grub. Dazzling and vibrant, this bar always offers a good time, as well as an exceptional array of biers imported from Germany, Belgium and more. Tuck into the likes of gooey fondues with your friends and sip on signature cocktails,  such as coconut and raspberry martinis.

A fun Latin American bar in the heart of Soho, Barrio a great place if you're looking for affordable cocktails and a party atmosphere. Fill up on rum-laced cocktails and juicy burgers before the DJs bring out a mix of samba sounds and classic tunes.

Simmons on Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road always delivers a cheap and cheerful time alongside cool and quirky decor. At the former location, it's party central with circus-themed decor in the form of waltzer booths and sparkling lights. Neon-lit and packed with novelties, it hosts a lineup of DJs throughout the week as well as tempting happy hours where you can bag 2-4-1 on all cocktails on Saturdays and Sundays (even the cocktail teapots). Check out the Grapefruit Sour, Tina Colada, Tiki Mojito and more.  

Offering modern British cuisine and some stunning cocktails, the slick Old Compton Brasserie is a one-stop shop if you're looking for a slice of spunky London charm. Expect sexy decor and a menu of vegan, veggie and meaty options paired with a cracking drinks list.

Fronting vibrant interiors, neon lights and retro arcade games, NQ64 Soho is a top-notch spot if you're after something a little quirky. So, what's on the drinks menu? A Dr Ro Bev Nik which is made up of Jack Daniels, cherry and Dr Pepper syrup. 

Fronting swanky interiors and sophisticated vibes, Archer Street Soho is sure to upgrade your boring ol' bar game in the city. Head in during the week for lip-smacking sips at the bar or enjoy some fun-fuelled weekend antics, where live DJs bring the haunt to life. 

The Bloomsbury Club Bar is a sleek cocktail bar found inside the Bloomsbury Hotel, serving up 12 creative concoctions inspired by Ancient Egypt. the cosy space features comfy sofas, pretty fairy lights and lots of greenery, among exposed brick walls and tiled floors.

They also host free jazz nights here every Wednesday and Saturday, showcasing musicians from all over the city. Plus, they serve tasty bar snacks like marinated olives, truffle fries and beef sliders if you get hungry.

Cahoots is the basement venue offering you a portal to the past. Inspired by the roaring 20s and 30s, guests will find themselves in a world of retro cocktails and tube carriage decor at this intimate underground watering hole.

Seductive and sexy, SOMA is a minimalistic take on a speakeasy from the same team behind the modern Indian restaurant Kricket. It serves creative drinks inspired by the flavours of India, made to be enjoyed in its low-lit basement bar that features a 9-metre long hand-finished, stainless steel surface and intimate booths. Ideal for date night, or simply a meet-up with a mate (with the intent of showing off your expert bar knowledge, of course), it serves the likes of the Leaf, made with Opihr Gin and Makrut Lime Leaf, or the Chaat, featuring Tapatio Blanco and Kumquat.