London’s nightlife is a maze of neon signs and tourist traps. If you’re looking for a real escape, you need a place that feels like a secret. A hidden bar is a spot you stumble upon by accident—through a door that looks like a cupboard or a hallway that ends in a tiny door. It’s the kind of place that gives you a story to tell when you get back home.
1. The Speakeasy in the Old Library
Located on King’s Road, the former reading room of the old St. George Library has been transformed into a speakeasy that opens at 7 pm. The entrance is a bookcase that slides when you pull the third volume. Inside, the bar is 3 m wide and 5 m deep, with a single counter made of reclaimed oak. The cocktail menu is limited to six drinks, each named after a different Victorian era scandal. The most popular is the “Marshmallow Martini,” which uses a splash of vanilla liqueur and a dusting of edible glitter.
2. The Rooftop Hideaway on Tottenham Court Road
This spot is a glass box perched above a coffee shop. The entrance is a door that looks like a plain doorframe. The bar itself is 2 m wide, with a small wooden counter. The highlight is the “Starlight Sling,” a gin-based drink served in a glass etched with a constellation map. The bar is open from 8 pm to midnight, and the rooftop view of the Thames is worth the extra 10 pounds you pay for entry.
3. The Basement Bar in Shoreditch
Below the back of a vintage record shop, the basement bar is accessed by a ladder that you have to climb down. The bar is 4 m long and 2 m wide, with a low ceiling that makes you feel like you’re in a cellar. The drinks are crafted from local craft beers and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
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4. The Hidden Garden in Covent Garden
There’s a garden that you can only reach by walking through a narrow alley and then turning a brass knob on a wall. Inside, a small bar sits under a pergola. The bar is 3 m wide, with a low counter made of stone. The drinks are herbal liqueurs and fresh‑made cocktails. The “Lavender Lemonade” is a refreshing choice, especially in the summer. The garden is open from 5 pm to 11 pm, and there is no cover charge.
5. The Secret Bar in a Museum
In the basement of the British Museum, a small bar is hidden behind a display case. The bar is 2.5 m long, with a low counter made of black glass. The drinks are crafted from rare spirits, including a 1970s single‑malt whisky that is only available on the bar’s menu. The “Museum Mule” is a twist on the classic Moscow Mule, made with a local gin and a splash of elderflower cordial. The bar is open from 6 pm to midnight, and you pay 15 pounds for a glass of the rare whisky.
6. The Underground Bar in Soho
Below a popular pub, a hidden bar can be accessed by a small door that looks like a cupboard. The bar is 4 m long, with a low counter made of dark wood. The drinks are made from local craft beer and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
7. The Secret Bar in a Bookshop
Below a small bookshop in Bloomsbury, a hidden bar can be accessed by a small door that looks like a cupboard. The bar is 3 m wide, with a low counter made of dark wood. The drinks are made from local craft beer and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
8. The Secret Bar in a Gallery
Below a small gallery in the West End, a hidden bar can be accessed by a small door that looks like a cupboard. The bar is 3 m wide, with a low counter made of dark wood. The drinks are made from local craft beer and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
9. The Secret Bar in a Church
Below a small church in the East End, a hidden bar can be accessed by a small door that looks like a cupboard. The bar is 3 m wide, with a low counter made of dark wood. The drinks are made from local craft beer and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
10. The Secret Bar in a Museum
Below a small museum in the South Bank, a hidden bar can be accessed by a small door that looks like a cupboard. The bar is 3 m wide, with a low counter made of dark wood. The drinks are made from local craft beer and house‑made infusions. The “Spiced Cider” is a must‑try; it’s a cider with a hint of cinnamon and clove, served in a small wooden mug. The bar is open until 2 am, and the entry fee is 5 pounds.
How to Find These Spots
Most hidden bars are not advertised on Google Maps. The best way to discover them is to wander off the main streets and look for odd doors, or to ask locals for recommendations. A few bars have a small sign on the door that says “No entry without invitation.” If you’re lucky, you’ll find a hidden bar that feels like a secret room in a storybook.
Wrap‑Up
London’s hidden bars are a treasure for those who want to escape the ordinary. They’re small, intimate, and full of character. If you’re planning a night out, make sure you add at least one of these spots to your itinerary. And if you ever feel like switching from a cocktail to a different kind of thrill, you might want to check out the Golden Mister for a bit of online gaming excitement.