London’s cocktail scene moves faster than an influencer lunging for the last canapé on the tray at a launch. At least it did, and then the novel coronavirus pandemic came, and lockdowns put more than just the drinks on ice. Bars — bar nightclubs — have perhaps suffered most, thriving as they do on intimate indoor spaces, so it’s no surprise that few have dared open debut ventures as the city slowly kicks back into gear. But those that have are shaking serious serves — here’s where to find the best new cocktails in London.
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The Hottest Cocktail Bars in London
The best new places to drink in the city

Mayahuel
Adriana Cavita’s new eponymous Marylebone restaurant is making some Mexican waves, and basement mezcaleria Mayahuel is hoping to get in on the act. Served alongside chutoro tostadas and oysters with a Clamato granita, Manuel Lema’s drinks menu has an expected focus on the variety and nuances of agave spirits, with mezcal flights and a range of smart cocktails, including the inevitable and excellent margarita.
Nightjar Carnaby
This new Carnaby version of the Old Street institution actually allows its drinkers to sit at the bar, which is a significant departure. Less of a departure is the clever, witty menu, which divides the history of the cocktail into pre-, during, and post-prohibition. Add in sharing cocktails, a rare spirits list to get lost in, and glamorous decor, and it’s all set up to be another hit.
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Swift Borough
The third Swift in the capital has poetically migrated south for the winter, crossing the Thames to open on Borough High Street. It follows the above/below formula of Soho, with a menu of lauded classics — including a devilish Irish coffee — on the ground floor, and a “back pocket” menu of cocktails designed to reflect the bounty of nearby Borough Market downstairs.
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Velvet
The work of acclaimed bartender Salvatore Calabrese, Velvet brings pure 1920s luxury to the Corinthia. The main draw is the martini section, owing to Calabrese’s background at Dukes, where he is credited with its frozen method that endures as a hallmark of the bar. He’s brought it here, as well as some riffy cocktails with a remarkable range — like a Gen Z Tiky Tok sitting next to a Black Velvet, the latter a tribute to the Queen Elizabeth II.
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