When in doubt about where to have an epic night out, ask a seasoned bartender. They have their own first-hand experiences from working at venues around town so it makes sense to tap some of the city’s finest talents for their expert recommendations.
Angelos Bafas: Bar Américain at Brasserie Zédel
“At Bar Américain, you feel like you’ve gone back to the 1920s,” says Bafas. “It’s a cosy and comfortable venue, the vibe is luxurious yet unpretentious, the high ceilings are stunning, the hospitality is always on point and consistent, and it delivers every time I visit.”
The bar’s simple cocktail menu takes its guests from pre-Prohibition times through to today, and while the 1884-born Turf Club martini is requisite for any gin drinker, Bafas praises Bar Américain’s classic Adonis, dubbing it a “perfectly balanced aperitif of equal parts sweet vermouth and sherry”.
20 Sherwood Street, W1F 7ED, brasseriezedel.com
Angelos Bafas is head of bars at Nipperkin and 20 Berkeley
Tony Pescatori: Side Hustle at the NoMad Hotel London
“When it comes to great nights out in London, Side Hustle at the NoMad Hotel is my top pick,” says Pescatori. “The place exudes genuine hospitality. It’s become my go-to spot for hanging out with friends or taking a date.” Having actually seen Pescatori propped at the bar personally while seeing off rounds of Side Hustle’s unrivalled seasonal margaritas, consider his recommendation of this vibey, Mexican-flavoured hotel bar verified. “The drinks are refreshingly simple yet perfectly crafted, and I can’t get enough of their carnitas.”
28 Bow Street WC2E 7AW, thenomadhotel.com
Tony Pescatori is managing director of Alma Bar London
Elon Soddu: Satan’s Whiskers
“My mixology background has always revolved around classics, so when I’m in east London, Satan’s Whiskers is a must,” says Soddu of one of London’s most lauded cocktail bars. “Satan’s classics are consistently top-notch and I particularly enjoy their regular cocktail list rotation. Every single detail is perfectly executed, from the glassware and spirits that are kept in very low temperature freezers to the high-quality fruits. The service is laid-back, and the team, music and atmosphere are awesome.”
343 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9RA, satanswhiskers.com
Elon Soddu, is manager and owner of Amaro Bar
Deano Moncrieffe: Happiness Forgets
“One of my favourites is Happiness Forgets — it’s not always on the top of everyone’s radar but, for me, it has consistently been one of the best bars in London for over a decade,” says Moncrieffe. “From a professional point of view, it has always consistently had really exceptional service and a great management team and, from a guest experience point of view, it is always on point — warm and welcoming.” The bar’s cocktail lounge vibe is the main features driving Moncrieffe’s warm and welcoming descriptors, and the delicious daiquiris demonstrate Happiness Forget’s beloved quality. “It’s the sort of venue where you could sit down at the bar on your own and either make a new friend or bump into someone you haven’t seen for a long time,” he adds.
8-9 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU, happinessforgets.com
Deano Moncrieffe is founder of Hacha
Liana Oster: The Grenadier
“I love a pub and this one is particularly great,” says Oster. “It’s tucked away, has a friendly vibe, and you feel like you’re in another world.” For those fascinated by the paranormal the pub, which was built in 1720 as the officers’ mess for the senior infantry regiment of the British army, has a reputation for being one of London’s most haunted. But that’s hardly as noteworthy as the pub’s beef Wellington with all the wonderful accompaniments — truffled mushrooms included — and an array of other pub staples. “The Scotch egg is a go-to,” adds Oster. “Sit outside or inside for a cosy meal served by friendly people.”
18 Wilton Row, SW1X 7NR, grenadierbelgravia.com
Liana Oster is bar director at NoMad Hotel London
Michael Sager: KOL Mezcaleria
“This may be an obvious choice [for those in the know], but this bar has Mexican soul with British ingredients and some of the very best bar food I have ever had,” says Sager. Considering that KOL, the bar’s one Michelin-starred sister restaurant by chef Santiago Lastra is located above the subterranean mezcaleria, also does the bar’s food, Sager’s bold claim checks out. As for the drinks, the cucumber and pine martini has become a cult favourite, says Sager. “They also have the best Mexican spirits selection in London, if not Europe.”
Lower Ground Floor, 9 Seymour Street, W1H 7BA, kolrestaurant.com
Michael Sager is owner of Equal Parts
Andy Kerr: Blondies
“Blondies is a great little independent dive with live music on the weekends,” says Kerr. “The vibes can be raucous and, luckily for me, the bar is just close enough from home to stumble back home.” Every receipt at Blondies states “No refunds for bad decisions”, which says everything anyone needs to know about this venue that excels at pouring pints and slinging shots of ice-cold Jägermeister (minus 18C to be precise). “It’s always my last stop of the evening,” Kerr adds. “It’s the perfect late-night spot for the tunes and the shots you don’t need.” For Americans, it’s a little taste of home in the form of a New York-style dive bar. Bill Murray swung by in June.
205A Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EG, blondiesbar.co.uk
Andy Kerr is co-founder of The Sun Tavern
Agostino Perrone: Amaro Bar
“Amaro Bar in Kensington is always a guaranteed great experience,” says Perrone of the hole-in-the-wall west London cocktail bar where live music plays at least once a week. “Those who know me know how much I love a dash of mezcal into my drink, which is why the Dec’s Martini at Amaro is a winner. But the cocktail list has one for all tastes, from the pomegranate Negroni to the kiwi margarita and many more.”
15 Kensington High Street, W8 5NP, amarobar.co
Agostino Perrone is director of mixology at The Connaught Hotel
Veronica Di Pietrantonio and Pietro Collina: Llewellyn’s
“We really, really love Llewellyn’s in Herne Hill,” says Di Pietrantonio who frequents this hidden gem with Collina, her fiancé and business partner. “What we love is the simplicity of the environment, the two different rooms of the restaurant — one looking into the kitchen and one just with tables — and the terrace outside. The menu is simple at first look, but the details and the freshness of the dishes are amazing. They also make delicious cocktails, and it’s a great place for aperitivo too. It’s fun to go with a group of people, sit under the fairy lights in the little Herne Hill square and order the whole menu and all the wine (mega selection with classics, natural, and so on), but also for date nights.”
293-295 Railton Road, SE24 0JP, llewellyns-restaurant.co.uk
Veronica Di Pietrantonio and Pietro Collina are brand manager and bar director of Viajante 87
Matteo Carretta: The Cadogan Arms
“It is the best of both worlds between a casual pub and a good cocktail bar,” claims Carretta. A sentiment that surely resonates as the house Negroni is as good as one comes and the tiny cocktails are as quaint as they are delightful. “When visiting the Cadogan Arms you have the same warm house feel of a classic public house, but you also get proper service,” he adds. “I’m a big lover of their Guinness and oysters.”
298 King’s Rd, London SW3 5UG, thecadoganarms.london
