Whether you’re in the mood for a proper London boozer, a speakeasy with drinks as stylish as the surrounds or a wine bar with small plates for grazing, there is a local for every taste in the capital. With an ever-changing hospitality scene it also means there is a new favourite to discover nearly every week. These are our picks of best new openings to explore.
Brutes of Mayfair
The martini remains the undisputed chart topper of every drinks list. New opening Brutes of Mayfair is dedicated to the classic tipple and takes inspiration from its location in Bruton Place, formerly a covert meeting spot for artistic types and cultural figures. The martini menu (wet, dry, brutal and dirty) keeps it simple but garnishes are more experimental – think blue cheese olives, loaded crisps and caviar bumps. The lounge area, with its green Yarwood leather banquette and vintage Persian rugs, is the perfect spot to enjoy a nightcap, shaken or stirred. brutesofmayfair.com
Bar ALTA
Soho eatery ALTA has given over its ground floor and outdoor terrace to Bar ALTA, a casual space that reflects the pintxos culture of Northern Spain. These small, moreish bar snacks are typically enjoyed with locally made wines and ciders, both of which feature on the menu alongside cocktails and a rotating selection of vermouths and sherries. Expect the likes of flatbread with green romesco and manchego, spiced cecina with kampot oil, and padrón peppers with mint, sour cream and pickled chilli from head chef Robbie Jameson. alta-restaurant.com
Arcus
Bloomsbury’s first rooftop bar is set to launch in August. Located within the refurbished Imperial Bloomsbury hotel, Arcus has near-360-degree views that stretch from the City and St. Paul’s Cathedral to the London Eye and domes of the British Museum. Just as impressive as those skyline vistas is an artfully devised cocktail menu accompanied by small plates inspired by the changing seasons. imperialhotels.co.uk
Honey & Co. Great Portland
Middle Eastern restaurant group Honey & Co has become a much-loved stalwart of the London hospitality scene. Now, fourteen years after its first opening, founders Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich are shifting focus from food to beverages. Well, sort of – you can still expect the type of vibrant, produce-led dishes the restaurateurs are synonymous with (think flame grilled skewers, anchovies on aubergine agrodolce crostini and grilled whole fish) but the wine list is what guides the establishment, with an exciting list that spans Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and beyond. honeyandco.co.uk
Café 1922
One of London’s most prestigious members’ institutions, The Sloane Club, loosens its collar and opens its doors to the public for the first time in 104 years with the opening of this new watering hole. Interiors by Russell Sage Studio marry warm textures with characterful materials to create a laid-back atmosphere. cafe1922.com
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Prince Arthur
This boutique watering hole with a Basque eatery is stepping into the sun with a new outdoor terrace. A bespoke drinks station takes centre stage in the stylish space where guests can enjoy the full restaurant menu, including seasonal dishes such as scallops crudo and grilled lamb cutlets with smoky aubergine, or simply graze on the likes of gildas or the eatery’s famed in-house caviar, best washed down with a Vermouth Spritz. Bathed in sunlight with classic bistro seating and surrounded by verdant greenery, this is a true al fresco oasis in one of London’s most storied neighbourhoods. princearthurbelgravia.co.uk
Gambit Bar
With an increasing number of people favouring health over hedonism on a night out, no and low-alcohol drinks are no longer an afterthought. At Gambit Bar, located in The Newman hotel, every signature cocktail is available alcohol free, while the same attention to detail can be found in the short and tempting snacks menu including oysters and rullepølse (Danish cold cuts). The atmospheric space, featuring a coffered ceiling and handsome bar with burr veneer frontage and living copper top, reflects the legacy of artist Percy Wyndham Lewis who lived in the area. thenewman.com
Rocola
New east London spot Rocola, from the team behind Crudo and Tiny Wine, takes its name from the Spanish word for jukebox. It’s a fitting moniker given the ever-changing nature of this restaurant, bar and rotating kitchen that will host a programme of guest chefs, residencies, wine tastings and collaborations. An expansive wine list is at the heart of this venture and a strong by-the-glass section means guests can explore the list with ease as they watch the open kitchen in action. @rocola.studio
Kiyori
There’s nothing quite like London’s underground, and no, we’re not talking about the Tube. We mean the capital’s ever-expanding roster of subterranean spots that define its nightlife. A recent addition is Kiyori, a seductive bar tucked beneath the former bank turned restaurant Aki London in Cavendish Square. The interiors are by Francis Sultana, who delivers his signature high glamour: gilded ceilings, cinematic washes of burnished gold and deep bronze offset by velvet and reflective surfaces. Guests descend past Aziza Kadyri’s Procession/Descent tapestry into an intimate, low-lit space where Japanese-inspired cocktails are paired with a concise menu of small plates. akilondon.com
