The best bars and cafés London

This cocktail bar concept, created by three childhood friends via their company, the Experimental Group, quickly gained momentum thanks to the excellence of its services. The very first establishment opened in Paris's Rue Montorgueil. In London, it opened in an intimate nest, nestled in a 1920s decor. It's an authentic mixology paradise, concealed above an Asian restaurant spread over several floors.

Located a stone's throw from Victoria station, this contemporary bakery-café has Danish origins. In the window, you'll find a mix of Danish, British and even French specialties! Rye rolls, kanelbulle (small cinnamon brioche), spandauer, muffins, brioches, brownies, cookies, tarts, croissants, pains au chocolat, sandwiches... The barista coffees are excellent. It's a popular place for Londoners to take a break. There are other stores all over London and Oxford.

The place invites you to take a break between two antique shops in Camden Passage, with its welcoming beer garden and its rooms nicely decorated in typical English taste. As far as beers are concerned, apart from the classics, the bar serves a selection of seasonal beers throughout the year and a hot toddy in winter. A jukebox plays indie or rock music depending on the mood. It's also the Camden Comedy Club where budding comedians put on a show, stand up, sketches and improvisations every night. A slightly different idea for a night out!

The English love beer, but they're also gin specialists. Just like this bar in Bermondsey, just off London Bridge, where you can try out another typical London spirit. There are more than a hundred varieties here (London, Scottish, Californian, Dutch, Indian, etc.), and the establishment naturally offers many cocktails based on this spirit, from the most classic to the most original. The house even makes its own ultra-refreshing tonic! Definitely a good address if you like gin.

There's a bourbon bar downstairs (with some 50 varieties, after all!), which also specializes in American craft beers, and a concert hall that doubles as a nightclub upstairs. It's the biggest selection of bourbons in London. Lovers beware. We also like the various musical evenings organized with the best emerging groups of the moment, as well as the Swing Push Swing course evenings... A DJ is always on hand to round off these very London nights in Islington. One of the few bars to close late.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is a very old pub in the City, its earliest incarnation dating back to the ^13th century when the premises were attached to a convent of Carmelite monks. Destroyed during the Great Fire of 1666, it was rebuilt the following year. Inside, a maze of staircases leads to various small rooms all clad in dark wood. The premises have played host to such luminaries as writers Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as the philosopher Voltaire. Good selection of beers and typically British cuisine.

A spectacular facade with unusual shapes, a pub that dates back to 1863 and yet, inside, there is a modern atmosphere with a decoration that plays on glass, an original material for a pub. Five rooms are separated by wooden partitions, each with a door to the outside. This partitioning is a relic of the Victorian era when there was a separation between the different classes of society. An elegant restaurant is installed at the back, where you can discover refined and sophisticated dishes.

One of the best bars on the capital's south bank and in Brixton, which has lost none of its spice. Hootananny hosts concerts of ska, reggae, disco and other caliente sounds in an equally ebullient atmosphere. And when the weather's fine, don't miss its vast beergarden, where you can socialize until the wee hours of the night, when you're not swaying to the beat. You can sample Caribbean cuisine and sleep in the hostel to be at the heart of the action.

This bar is quite out of the way, and reaching this new address of the Soho group, south of the Thames, is almost a pilgrimage. However, since its opening, the private club in this residential area has been sold out. Velvet armchairs and sofas, marble tables, brass lamps, vintage mirrors, and works by local artists make it an ideal setting for a drink in a confidential atmosphere. Please note: children are allowed in the club, but only until 6pm, and reservations are not possible for more than six people.

It's so unusual to play table tennis in a bar between two cocktails! Open since October 2012, Europe's first social ping-pong club is always busy. If you haven't reserved a table in advance (on their website), expect to have to wait a while... Tables are available every day, for groups of all sizes. Here, they're not relegated to the back of the bar, but are the star attraction. What's more, this address is conveniently located in the cool Holborn district.

An address that is always full no matter what time you go there. If the tables at the entrance are crowded, because they are better located, it is the whole bar that is often full of people coming to have a coffee or sip one of the many cocktails on the menu. Close to Portobello, the bar welcomes, at weekends, exhausted bargain hunters taking a break between two shops. You can also eat there throughout the day, or drop in for a nice brunch. Not to be missed if you are in the neighbourhood!

If you're looking for a chic break from the hustle and bustle of the city and want to relax in a distinguished atmosphere, stop by the Anglesea Arms. This pub, located in one of London's most exclusive areas, attracts an upscale and distinguished clientele while maintaining a relaxed and not stuffy atmosphere. The pub is also known for serving very good beers (for those who like them!) from independent breweries. Moreover, they serve a very tasty and copious cuisine, which will give you strength and energy!

This pub built in 1845 has kept its original style: etched windows, carved glass, carved wood, we can say that it has a certain charm. Located near the Tate Britain, it's a good place to take a break after visiting the museum, especially since the beer is good and so are the snacks. A quaint and strange anecdote, the pub is said to have a ghost, a prisoner who escaped from Millbank Prison and is said to still roam its cellars today. However, this does not spoil the atmosphere, which is very jovial!

The Salisbury pub is a real gem, dating back to 1899, and its decoration is quite simply sumptuous: bronze lamps sculpted in the shape of nymphs, fluted columns, cut-glass windows... You can eat typical dishes such as fish & chips, or simply have a drink. In addition to the decor, the beer selection is extensive; the establishment has won several awards for the quality of its pints, and the waiters will be able to advise you according to your tastes or what you're eating.

Once very popular with the talented Amy Winehouse, who lived in the area, Dublin Castle is a must in Camden! Rock, blues, ska and soul concerts are on the program. The room is small but warm, embedded in a corner of the establishment, but the atmosphere is warm and the sound is good, although thundering. Madness, Arctic Monkeys and Blur, among others, made their debut there. After the groups, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, DJs take over to continue the party.

Very well located near the canal, this charming pub, which has been in existence since 1867, offers a few tables set up on the sidewalk, which are very pleasant in summer. In winter, we head inside, where a fire burns in the back room. The decoration is that of a rural pub, with wallpaper on the walls, stained glass windows and hunting trophies here and there. You feel good and you appreciate the conviviality and the warmth of this typical pub where the years have passed slowly and which has kept the spirit of the old pubs.

This venerable public house opened its doors in 1871. It has stood the test of time and fashion, and has remained a reliable address right up to the present day. The decor is a skilful blend of tradition (warm-toned antique woodwork, fireplace, club armchairs and reading area) with a contemporary chic that's not without a few touches of minimalism, highlighting the raw wood and high ceilings. A convivial place to be at any time of day. The Bull& Gate is famous for its sunday roast.

In the cosy apartment of the imaginary Monsieur Fogg, a hidden bar houses potions, elixirs and other miraculous remedies collected by the traveler during his explorations around the globe. Affable and generous, he invites visitors to discover original cocktails served in medicinal flasks. The spirits are of excellent quality, but you'll also find some very good non-alcoholic cocktails, and a wide selection of beers and ciders for connoisseurs. There's no dinner on this menu, but plenty of options for nibbling.

In a pleasant setting, this bar and cabaret, which also serves as a restaurant, is well hidden in a small alley overlooking Mare Street, close to Regent's Canal. It caters for the district's trendy clientele in an atmosphere that remains relaxed and good-natured. Cabaret evenings are particularly popular, so check the program on the website. Piano brunches are regularly organized, but as they are very popular, it's best to book in advance. The perfect opportunity to spend a crazy evening in the company of drag-queens!

Hampstead is a breath of fresh air, far from central London and its hustle and bustle. This is one of our favorite neighborhoods. Let yourself be carried away by this village atmosphere into this charming gastropub, made of bricks and covered with flowers, located between the village and the park. The Wells is the image of the neighbourhood, warm, friendly, lively. It is a good traditional restaurant and a welcome stopover in an adorable street with flowered houses. The enchanting calm of Hampstead will enchant you to the point of spending the evening on the terrace on its wooden tables.

Perfectly located, this Victorian-style pub blends seamlessly into the ^21st century with its modern furnishings. The spacious sofas welcome you into a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, created by regulars, young designers and local creators. The menu features a wide selection of draught beers from Gordon's Sloe, Hendrick's and others. Another advantage of this bar, particularly in summer, is its terrace tables on Clerkenwell Green, making for a very pleasant experience!

The advantage of this pub is undoubtedly its location, on the banks of the Regent's Canal that we love so much. It can be seen from the terrace or from some windows. The peaceful view of the warehouses and barges gives the place a pleasant, almost provincial atmosphere. We feel far from London when we are actually in the middle of the city, in Angel's neighbourhood. A large wine list at low prices and a fine selection of beers complete the assets of the place. Take the opportunity to take a short walk on the canal after or before.

This speakeasy, already well known to East End locals, has just opened a new address with the same concept: a menu divided according to three major periods in cocktail history: pre-prohibition, prohibition and post-war. The unrivalled creativity, the quality of the spirits and the atmosphere provided by musicians from 9pm to 11pm make this address a must-visit bar in London. Don't miss the chance to try their signature cocktail: the Nightjar Pisco Sour, with its interesting citrus flavor.

London's first cat bar opened in February 2014. Your hosts are a dozen cats whose portraits you can discover on the website. So this tea room invites you to come and fill up on purrs and feline tenderness. Sherlock, Watson, Moriarty and Legolas are waiting to cuddle you. The boutique offers you the most superfluous and original feline decorations and gadgets. An original feline tea break.

Part pub, part restaurant, part B&B, the Black Lion has character. The aesthetics and class of the period building are appealing from the moment you walk in. Located in the lively district of Kilburn, we love the big red armchairs, the fireplace that warms us in winter and the carved wooden ceiling. This renowned pub offers a wide selection of beers and wines, as well as great cocktails. Ideal for a warm and very British late afternoon break, in a very distinguished atmosphere.

This very beautiful pub would be haunted by the spectre of a grey lady, which did not prevent Dick Turpin, Byron, Shelley, Dickens and Keats from coming to seek inspiration at the bottom of a glass... Spaniard's Inn is located on the Kenwood House side, opposite the village of Hampstead, on the other side of the park. You will enjoy coming here to relax and take a small reward after a long walk through the park. Built in 1585, this beautiful pub, with its oak panelled walls and very low ceilings, has something timeless.

This (very) small café, tucked away in a street opposite Earl's Court tube station, offers good takeaway coffees for those in a hurry. With a wide choice of hot and cold coffees, there's something for everyone. But for foodies with time on their hands, the best is still the all-day brunch, indoors or on the terrace: American pancakes with wild berries, granola bowls, avocado toast, grilled cheese toast, banana bread, muffins, French toast... A delicious break if you're in the neighborhood.

Located in London's Bloomsbury district, the Bloomsbury Coffee House is a popular café and tearoom. Customers praise the quality of the food on offer, particularly the English breakfast, as well as the friendly service provided by the staff. The café also offers vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options to suit all diets.

The Blackfriar is a historic pub in the heart of Blackfriars, London. This iconic wedge-shaped building, with its mosaics, ornamental balconies and famous black guardian monk above the front door, doesn't go unnoticed. Their commitment to the free-thinking arts and crafts movement is still visible in the sculptures, mosaics and relics depicting cheerful monks. The snack bar, added in 1917-21, sits beneath the nearby railway line and is popular for its barrel-vaulted ceiling. The Blackfriar was almost demolished in the 1960s, but a campaign led by Sir John Betjeman saved it. Today, this unique downtown pub is known for its rich history and Art Nouveau style. It offers a selection of tempting dishes, from seasonal specialties to British classics, as well as a wide range of draught beers and gins.