22 Underrated Bars Every Londoner Needs To Visit ASAP

You wanna go where everybody knows your name... or at least where you can find a decent seat.

1. The Finborough Arms, Earl's Court

Matt Freestone / Via Facebook: FinboroughTheatre

This charming and intimate spot in Earl's Court is the perfect little hideaway if you fancy a good drink in an unexpected spot. The Finborough Arms always offers a lovely selection of UK-based craft brews, and is situated just underneath one of the best fringe theatre venues in London.

More about the Finborough Arms.

2. The Happenstance, St Pauls

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If you're looking for a good spot to nurse a drink in relative peace, the Happenstance is a must. It's got a lovely terrace with a view of St Paul's Cathedral, and while it gets crowded for after work drinks, it's fairly quiet on the weekends and usually offers good deals.

Bonus: The Happenstance has a full non-alcoholic drink menu, making it a great place to take friends who don't drink.

More about The Happenstance.

3. Jerusalem Bar, Soho

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Jerusalem Bar has one of the few full beer gardens in crowded Soho, and offers a good happy hour, so it's the ideal place for summer drinks after work. Their interior basement is cosy, and the food is always high-quality too.

More about Jerusalem.

4. The Mulberry Bush, Southbank

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Located five minutes from the Southbank, the Mulberry Bush does a fab pub lunch and is a great escape from the crowds along the river walk. Though it doesn't offer a Thameside view like many other pubs in the area, it has a seriously cosy atmosphere and is usually less crowded than bars closer to the action.

More about the Mulberry Bush.

5. Satan's Whiskers, Bethnal Green

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This intimate and unsuspecting little joint in Bethnal Green does some of the best cocktails in the city. Because it's so small, it's best to book a table, but once you're in, it’s perfect and cosy. Note that the drinks are good, but no-nonsense, and often quite strong.

More about Satan's Whiskers.

6. The Royal Court Theatre Bar, Sloane Square

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The thing about theatre bars is that you can go in whether you're seeing a show or not, and because they plan for crowds in the 15 minutes before the show and during intermission, they're often big and spacious and relatively empty for the majority of the evening and afternoon. The Royal Court is a fab spot in the otherwise overly-priced Sloane Square area, and its stylish bar is the perfect place to catch up with friends.

More about the Royal Court Bar & Kitchen.

7. Our Black Heart, Camden

Our Black Heart / Via Facebook: blackheartcamden

If you want a cosy place with an touch of edge, Camden's Our Black Heart is the spot for you. With loads of space and a great selection of beer, Our Black Heart is a great spot to meet up, and the upstairs venue regularly brings in well-known rock bands and hot up-and-comers.

More about Our Black Heart.

8. Courtesan, Brixton

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This atmospheric cocktail and dim sum bar manages to be both sophisticated and affordable. Its unassuming exterior hides a luxurious wonderland inside, and the drinks and food menu is seriously impressive.

More about Courtesan.

9. The Royal George, Soho

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The Royal George is a solidly dependable pub right around the corner from Tottenham Court Road station. It's usually less crowded than others in the area, but only because it's further back from the road than most, so you tend to find fewer tourists. Good beer, great food, and a lovely calendar of events hosted in its basement make it the perfect little hideaway from the bustle of central London just outside its door.

More about the Royal George.

10. 601 Queen's Road, Wimbledon

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If you're in the mood for a boozy brunch, 601 Queen's Road is an absolute must. Offering great cocktails and pitchers alongside a creative and yummy menu, the spacious and stylish spot right next door to Wimbledon Station is well worth a visit. There's also a lovely wrap around terrace for sunny days.

More about 601 Queen's Road.

11. Antidote, Soho

Antidote Wine Bar / Via Facebook: antidotewinebar

Light, airy, and with a killer organic wine list, this little escape off Carnaby Street is an absolute delight. Not to mention the nibbles menu, which always includes an impressive and delicious selection of cheese.

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12. The Bush Theatre Library Bar, Shepherd's Bush

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The Bush Theatre's in-house bar and cafe offers a large, bright, and fabulously comfy interior that doubles as a script library, and their garden and terrace area is an absolute dream in the summer. With big windows and loads of opportunity to people watch without feeling crowded in, it's a great place to while away the day.

More about the Bush Theatre Library Bar.

13. The Shrub and Shutter, Brixton

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This charming spot in Brixton is a must for anyone who loves a novelty cocktail. The great drinks and food menu and friendly atmosphere make it the kind of bar that feels like home and a special treat all at the same time.

More about The Shrub and Shutter.

14. The Strongroom Bar, Shoreditch

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The Strongroom is attached to the acclaimed recording studio of the same name, and is a must visit for music lovers and beer lovers alike. With a sprawling outdoor space, relaxed interior, and encyclopedic beer list, it's the kind of place you can lose yourself in all day.

More about The Strongroom Bar.

15. The Narrowboat, Islington

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This canal-side spot is charming and just out of the way enough that you have to mean to find it. The Narrowboat offers a yummy pub menu and gorgeous view, plus, if you're a dog person, they host regular dog brunches.

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16. Waterstones 5th View, Piccadilly

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The fifth floor bar of London's flagship Waterstones offers a really good buy-one-get-one happy hour on cocktails, offers well-priced food and a good view. Plus, the shop regularly hosts swanky book launches, so you never know who you might run into.

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17. Zetter Townhouse, Clerkenwell

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Zetter Townhouse is a boutique hotel with more character than it knows what to do with, and its bar is a magical explosion of rich, eclectic comforts. A sublime cocktail selection and lovely afternoon tea menu make it the perfect place to drown your worries.

More about Zetter Townhouse.

18. 68 and Boston, Soho

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This excellent Soho spot is a wine bar on the first floor and speakeasy-style cocktail lounge on the second. Full of alcoves and hideaways, it's the perfect night out for a first date, and the menu is bound to impress.

More about 68 and Boston.

19. Little Nan's, Stockwell

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This Stockwell establishment is truly one-of-a-kind. With a decadent atmosphere and lots of quiet spaces to hideaway in, it's a brilliant place to spend the evening. Book for events and gain access to the bar's secret Costume Ballroom for a really good time.

More about Little Nan's.

20. The Bridge Theatre Bar, London Bridge

Bridge Theatre / Via Facebook: bridgetheatrelondon

The main takeaway from this list is that theatre bars are secret gems, and the new Bridge Theatre bar is maybe the best gem of them all. Sleek, stylish, and spacious with a stunning view of the Thames and London Bridge, it feels fancier than it is, which is great news for your budget. From cocktails to beers to snacks, this lovely space does it all, plus, the if you feel like seeing a play, their production quality is as top notch as their bar.

More about the Bridge Theatre Bar.

21. The Grafton, Kentish Town

The Grafton / Via thegraftonnw5.co.uk

This North London bar combines Victorian and contemporary style to fantastic results. Comfy and big, Grafton's boasts an excellent wine list and lots of space inside and out so you can unwind properly.

More about Grafton's here.

22. Scarfes Bar, Holborn

Scarfes Bar / Via Facebook: scarfesbar

For the best luxury cocktail you didn't know existed, you need to go to Scarfes Bar in Holborn's glittering Rosewood Hotel. It's stunning to look at and with a drinks menu to match. The spot is filled with luxuriously decorated cosy corners, not to mention loads of bookshelves, so you can hide yourself away there all day.

More about Scarfes Bar.