Elmo's Bar
After Caribbean-inspired cocktails in London? Elmo's Bar is bringing you just that, thanks to its lineup of classic and signature concoctions. Plus, there's jerk chicken and gourmet burgers available across the swish space too.
With everything from secret speakeasy joints through to Alice In Wonderland based hangouts, London is full of quirky cocktail bars. And it's not just their interiors that are unusual; weird and wonderful cocktail bars in London also have serious mixing credentials, with mixologists who have mastered their craft to a T. Read our recommendations for quirky cocktail bars in London and get ready to see another side to the capital's drinking scene.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 18th June 2024
After Caribbean-inspired cocktails in London? Elmo's Bar is bringing you just that, thanks to its lineup of classic and signature concoctions. Plus, there's jerk chicken and gourmet burgers available across the swish space too.
Basement Sate in Soho is all about the good things in life: cocktails and desserts. Join the intimate little joint to munch on French-inspired fancies, from eclairs through to macaroons, and back to Champagne-based cocktails.
Step through the looking glass and into this Alice In Wonderland themed bar that has everything from a downstairs laboratory through to performance art and live music. The Hackney Road spot is perfect for a first date with a selection of vintage furniture, minimal interiors and an intimate setting.
Keep your eyes peeled to find this secret little spot in Tower Bridge. Call Me Mr Lucky is a kitsch bar that is known for their fun cocktails and cosy interiors.
The Piano Works West End is the place to be for delicious cocktails and a party atmosphere until the early hours. Sip on a selection of expertly made cocktails while you party until the early hours with the help of two piano vocalist and accompanying musicians who will bring your song requests to life.
Head downstairs at Pahli Hill Bandra Bhai for a retro smugglers den decked out with posters of Indian film stars and other quirky ornaments. From the Disco Inferno served in a glitter ball to other 70s-inspired serves, these cocktails are all kinds of quirky.
This tiki paradise is the perfect urban retreat. Recline in luxury as you sip on expertly-crafted rum cocktails and revel in the tropical decor. Upstairs houses the bar's own rum, which you can learn to make yourself in one of their masterclasses.
If you're in need of something different, switch out the usual pint at the pub for a trip to Homeboy. Serving up proper Guinness, Irish coffees and a whole host of Gaelic grub, this is one of Islington's finest watering holes. Not in the area? Head to its Battersea location.
Quirky whisky cocktail bars in London don't get much better than East London Liquor Company, which has a cool canalside location complete with a converted warehouse building and waterside terrace. Plus, it's the ideal place for no-frills drinks across a cool space.
Callooh Callay is an eccentric London cocktail bar that is full of surprises. Head to Shoreditch to discover a secret room named The JubJub, a drinks list which is constantly evolving and changing and a menu that uses stickers to list its contents.
All sorts of weird and wonderful, The Last Tuesday Society is a treasure chest of quirky taxidermy and illicit drinks. Located in Hackney, the intimate spot is filled with everything from skeletons through to animal heads and occult-inspired art. Drinks are similarly as unusual, with hefty doses of absinthe and other rare spirits creating the menu.
It's known as one of the best bars in Shoreditch or Soho and it's not hard to see why when you step into this quirky London cocktail bar. Nightjar adds a touch of imagination to all they do, from cocktail mixing through to speakeasy jazz; this New Orleans venue is a seating only spot so make sure you grab a space quickly.
If you fancy drinking in the clink, Slammers Bar in London Bridge provides the perfect backdrop. Located behind plenty of barbed wire and cameras, this experience is sure to get hearts racing. And when the guards have taken your order? Expect high-end cocktails.
Sugar Cane Bar is a cool tiki bar in Clapham, boasting exotic interiors - think paradisical green palms, laced banana leave walls and statues. And what's on the lineup? Everything from delicious tapas and burgers to themed cocktails and thumping DJ sets.
Looking to try something new in London? Offering tapas afternoon teas and epic cocktail making courses, MAP Maison is definitely a great shout. Boasting gorgeous decor and interiors, it also makes for the perfect date night destination.
Seeking one of Covent Garden's quirkiest cocktail bars? Then expect plenty of nostalgia at TSQ Playhouse. With a wacky funfair theme throughout the venue, this hotspot is adding a little pizzazz to cocktail quaffing. Think tongue-in-cheek bevvies and a karaoke room too.
Looking for something a little different? Cue Limin Southbank, a themed bar covered in sand and dishing up mouthwatering food from the Caribbean. As well as Trini street food classics, there's also a heady selection of rum cocktails to quench your thirst.
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Touting smoking concoctions, you can trust that Purgatory Bar on Cambridge Street will serve nothing less than exciting with its cocktail selection. Enjoy Antoni Gaudi-inspired decor or the pretty outside terrace, all while exploring the fantastic bevvy menu. Oh, yes.
Trailer Happiness hasn't just impressed the likes of the UK, it's also shone its credentials worldwide. The unusual cocktail bar in Notting Hill is based on a '60s Californian bachelor pad with lots of retro-inspired furniture and a drinks menu you won't forget in a hurry.
Nestled underneath The Megaro Hotel, Hokus Pokus is part cocktail bar, part alchemy lab. Not only does it have some seriously unique interiors that look straight out of a sci-fi movie, but also delicious, molecular cocktails that will intrigue and delight in equal measure.
Quirky cocktail bars don't get much better than Tequila Mockingbird, a fun destination where delish concoctions, 2-for-1 deals and weekend DJs collide. You can also chill out across the gorgeous lounge area for after-work drinks or group get-togethers.
From the same people as Blame Gloria and Bar Elba, Tonight Josephine is no stranger to attention. The bar has been splashed all over Instagram since opening, and for good reason - think celebrity mugshots in the bathroom, neon signs and cute cocktail.
Welcome to Reverend J W Simpson, a basement bar found beneath the streets of Fitzrovia. Previously inhabited by its namesake, it holds much of its shabby-chic decor. But the quirkiness doesn't stop there - the imaginative cocktail list showcases unique and little-known ingredients, perfect for those more adventurous drinkers.
The Pretty parlous is a certainly one of the most unique cocktail bars out there, as it's also a nail salon. Situated right by Walpole park in Ealing, you can enjoy all kinds of creative concoctions or a glass of Veuve Clicquot here - while choosing between 13 different cruelty-free nail products, as well as refreshing hot towel treatments and relaxing head massages.
Nothing's quirkier than this bring your own booze cocktail bar in London. BYOC City provides the expert bartenders to whip you up some bespoke drinks, so all you have to do is turn up top the casino-inspired space armed with your favourite spirits.
With a film-themed drinks menu, each and every cocktail at The Little Orange Door is as unique and tasty as the next. Opt for the tequila and coriander-infused Once Upon A Hollywood, or keep it simple with the rum-spiked house punch.
Think quirky London bar and one name is bound to pop into your head - The Cocktail Club. With wacky venues across the city, the group have recently opened a spot in Monument which is inspired by the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Saville Row Tailors; or try their bars in Shoreditch, Bethnal Green, Mansion House or Islington.
Arguably the quirkiest bar in South London, Little Nan's in Deptford has been making waves since opening its doors. Decorated to match your grandma's vintage living room, guests can enjoy tasty cocktails served in teapots and vintage records played by the venue's DJs.
A hidden speakeasy inside BrewDog Waterloo, Lost Property Office is a 1920s-inspired space that reflects that in dim lighting and a vintage feel. Continuing the Prohibition leaning? A carefully thought out cocktail menu from award-winning bartender Rich Woods, which includes the martini roulette of three mini martinis - each seemingly identical but actually with different strengths and flavours to reflect the evolution of this cocktail over the years.
Inspired by the Golden Age of travel, this cool and quirky bar in Central London will direct you straight to first class. With stunning service from some of the finest mixologists in the city, you'll soon see why Aviator at Hush was named Best Bar In London at the London Club and Bar awards 2017.
Boasting palm tree vibes and an epic roster of events, Skylarking in Peckham is a great spot for those of you after a hotspot with a difference. Grab your pals for its awesome happy hour which gives you 2 for £12 pours between 5pm and 7pm, all before dancing to live DJs.
You will have to hunt to find this London quirky cocktail bar but it will be worth it. Hidden in the heart of Chinatown, Opium is the brainchild of two cocktail experts and serves a menu of dim sum classics, perfect for lining your stomach.
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Bright, dark, playful, serious – The Perception Bar is one of many faces, making it the ideal stop for any Londoner. Come for delicious dishes from their resident chef, or grab a spectacular cocktail while listening to their rota of great music acts; either way, you're set for a unique time here.
Sneak inside The Mind Palace where you'll find a network of agents and spied led by the iconic Sherlock Holmes. With immersive performances and mouthwatering cocktails themed on the elusive character, this is one for your bucket list.
With bright pink walls, a cocktail that comes served in a giant golden pineapple and plenty of armchairs, Bourne and Hollingsworth bar in Fitzrovia is a top choice for unusual London cocktail bars.
An East London Stalwart, NT's is all sorts of cool, from the late night DJs to the secret outdoor terrace. Their cocktails are also impressive with sections such as The Bold and The Bizarre, creating punchy tequila mixes and a short and sharp 'meth' - made with ginger liqueur, mint liqueur, and Havana.
Head to the Black Horse in Fitzrovia for delicious cocktails in their speakeasy space. Grab a table or a booth and order some of their imaginative or classic cocktails made by expert mixologists.
Found behind a hidden door on Camden High Street, Camden Basement Cocktail Bar is a speakeasy-inspired venue decked out in dark floral wallpaper, a striking bar and golden decor. Sip on five bespoke concoctions made from a bring-your-own spirit of your choice and tuck into sumptuous small plates in this intimate space, in one of their many exclusive sections named after icons like Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, Louis Armstrong, and Pauline Sabin.
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For quirky cocktail bars in London, Fairgame is coming in hot with funfair games, from Shoot the Clown through to Whac-A-Mole. Plus, there's scrumptious street food to boot, alongside a slew of creative tipples.
Scoring 10s across the board for looks and libations, Blame Gloria is not only serving up quirky cocktails, but also wacky interiors too. Head over to the Clapham bar and see the full array of kitsch furnishings and neon lighting for yourself.
Give in to temptation at this slick little drinking joint from celebrated chef Adam Handling. Indulge in naughty concoctions such as Good & Evil (Reyka, split cream, cold brew coffee, maple syrup and Fernet Branca), while seriously tasty bar snacks provide a great stomach-liner.