Looking for top-tier Cocktails in London? Celebrate with London’s best cocktails at The Cumberland Hotel. Whether you’re plotting a lively girls’ trip, kicking off a business win, or just want the best bars near Oxford Street, we know how to raise a glass the right way. From the energy of Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen to the Iberian flair of Lirica and the music-fuelled buzz of SOUND Café, you’ll discover why The Cumberland isn’t just a hotel – it’s your home base for an unforgettable cocktail experience London style. Read on for sharp recommendations across the best cocktail bars in London, useful tips, and local favourite picks for leisure and business travellers. Let’s get pouring.

12 min read

 

Table of Contents

• Why The Cumberland Hotel London is the ultimate destination for Cocktails in London
• Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen London: Where high drama meets cocktails
• Lírica at The Cumberland: Spanish sips and bold sangria
• SOUND Café at The Cumberland: Live music and relaxed cocktails
• The Connaught Bar: Classic elegance in Mayfair
• Nightjar: Speakeasy atmosphere and inventive drinks
• 69 Colebrooke Row: Innovation in a glass
• Swift Soho: Refined classics and a whisky den
• Dukes Bar: Where martinis are legendary
• Laki Kane: Tropical escapes and cocktail fun
• Scarfes Bar: Sophisticated sips in a clubby setting
• How to organise your perfect London cocktail crawl
• Planning for business: Best bars for meetings, team events, and celebrations
• Tips for cocktail fans: Making the most of the London cocktail bar scene
• Ready for your own London cocktail experience?
• FAQs

 

Why The Cumberland Hotel London is the ultimate destination for Cocktails in London

When you check in to The Cumberland Hotel, you step right into the heart of London’s cocktail culture. With three distinct venues under one roof, every mood is covered: high-octane drama at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Mediterranean delight at Lirica, and live-set soundtracks at SOUND Café. All this, right by Oxford Street – making us one of the smartest bars near Oxford Street for locals and visitors alike.

You don’t need to trek across the city for an amazing London cocktail bar. Our menus bring expert mixology alongside the bold energy of London’s dining scene, offering a cocktail experience London regulars and curious newcomers both love. Each drink is crafted with flair, tied into a story – sometimes with a dash of theatre or a swirl of Spanish spirit. Origin matters, so our ingredients span London’s hip distilleries, Mediterranean citrus groves, and the classic staples you’d expect from a true cocktail bar.

For business travellers, it’s seamless: you can go from meetings to martinis without ever leaving the hotel. For leisure, it means your ‘where next?’ is always answered.

 

Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen London: Where high drama meets cocktails

Craving more than the usual? Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at The Cumberland Hotel is London’s electric new stage for cocktails. Inspired straight from the Hell’s Kitchen TV show, the cocktails here aren’t just drinks – they’re pure performance. Think smoke, fire, and flavour in every glass.

The bar’s high-energy vibe turns any evening into an occasion. Perfect for groups celebrating a milestone, a birthday, or work event, the drinks list has plenty of fan-favourites inspired by the show and Ramsay’s own culinary imagination. Try a signature Redemption, fiery and sharply balanced – it’s as bold as the décor. Want a ‘mocktail’ for the non-drinkers? Zero-proof drinks are just as dramatic.

What else stands out? The service is swift, the staff are up for a bit of fun, and menus are streamlined to keep the focus on quality. Every cocktail experience London drinkers want is right here. Need a space for after-work cheers or a pre-theatre boost? The bar easily shifts from daytime energy to late-night adventure, which is exactly how we like it.

Read more about Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen London here

 

Lírica at The Cumberland: Spanish sips and bold sangria

If you love variety in your cocktails, Lirica at The Cumberland Hotel brings a kick of the Mediterranean to the capital. Lirica is a Spanish tapas bar and restaurant with a difference – it’s informal, but sharp, with a cocktail list curated to match the kitchen’s vibrant energy. Their in-house bar feels like a bridge from London to Barcelona.

The signature sangria is legend, mixed fresh with a secret blend of fruits and spices; perfect for sharing. Don’t miss the Jose Collins (a Spanish update on the gin classic) or the Vanilla Margarita, which blends oak-aged tequila with gentle sweetness. The staff are always happy to steer you towards a new favourite, or mix up a custom surprise based on your taste.

Groups are well looked-after, making it a top pick for sharing tapas and cocktails with friends after work or post-shopping at Oxford Street. Lirica’s bar seating is ideal for people-watching; if you’re a local hosting visitors, it’s a clever ‘go here’ choice. Travellers appreciate the warm welcome and consistent quality, right in the thick of Marble Arch’s cosmopolitan buzz.

Find out more about Lírica at The Cumberland here

SOUND Café at The Cumberland: Live music and relaxed cocktails

Music’s in our blood at The Cumberland Hotel, so SOUND Café stands out as both a bar and a destination for music lovers. The vibe is laid-back but still packs a punch – think casual cocktails with front-row seats to live gigs, open-mic nights, or vinyl DJ sets.

On the SOUND Café menu, classic cocktails sit alongside playful house creations. A signature G&T or Martini goes down beautifully when paired with one of the Hotel’s jam sessions. It’s also a solid pick for working lunches that turn into post-meeting drinks, or when you want to book a spot for a catch-up with old friends. The staff tend to know their music trivia, and they’ll suggest drink pairings to match your mood or the evening’s playlist.

If you’re in town on business, SOUND Café is the antidote to stiff corporate venues – not too loud, not too quiet, always authentic.

Read more about SOUND Café at The Cumberland Hotel here

 

The Connaught Bar: Classic elegance in Mayfair

If your quest for Cocktails in London leans toward timeless style, The Connaught Bar in Mayfair continues to win hearts. Consistently voted among the best cocktail bars in London, it’s luxury done right. The marble bar, sharp service, and unique martini trolley make every visit memorable – but never fussy.

For the business set, it’s a polished spot for client drinks or a celebratory toast after sealing the deal. Travellers love that it’s close enough to The Cumberland for a proper London bar crawl, but just far enough to feel like a night out. Their martinis and classic cocktails are textbook-perfect.

Find out more about The Connaught Bar here

 

Nightjar: Speakeasy atmosphere and inventive drinks

Nightjar in Shoreditch is London’s answer to the classic speakeasy – low-lit, low-key, and serious about its cocktails. Regularly called out as one of the city’s best cocktail bars, Nightjar mixes up everything from pre-Prohibition classics to modern marvels. Think smoky old fashioneds, clever house infusions, and a live music line-up that makes every visit different.

As a traveller, Nightjar tempts you out east for a taste of vintage glamour. For Londoners, it’s that go-to for when you, or your guests, want something hidden and special. This is a great call for couples, friends celebrating, or business groups that want to experience London’s creative side.

Read more about Nightjar here

 

69 Colebrooke Row: Innovation in a glass

For a drink that’s anything but ordinary, 69 Colebrooke Row in Islington delivers. Often dubbed the “Bar With No Name,” its intimate space and groundbreaking cocktail programme have cemented it as one of the best cocktail bars in London. Expect unusual ingredients, house-made tinctures, and plenty of theatre.

It’s well worth a taxi ride for out-of-towners, and locals love bringing friends to try something new. If you’re all about pioneering cocktails in London, don’t miss it.

Find out more about 69 Colebrooke Row here

 

Swift Soho: Refined classics and a whisky den

Few bars in London move as smoothly between atmospheres as Swift Soho. Upstairs, you’ll find light, bright, and quick classic cocktails; head downstairs for a snug whisky-led den perfect for late nights. Swift’s bartenders excel at both speed and skill, making it a reliable option before a West End show or after a business dinner.

Its location puts you right in the thick of Soho’s action – ideal for travellers exploring London and locals looking for somewhere consistent yet stylish.

Find out more about Swift Soho here

 

Dukes Bar: Where martinis are legendary

Talk to any cocktail obsessive, and Dukes Bar is always near the top of their list. Famed for world-class martinis (rumour has it Ian Fleming was a fan), this St James’s institution is the definition of old-school charm. Service is polished, and every martini is built tableside.

If you’re planning a celebration, hosting clients, or seeking a London cocktail bar where tradition meets taste, Dukes is unbeatable. Locals treat it as a rite of passage; business travellers, take note – this is where strong deals happen over even stronger drinks.

Find out more about Dukes Bar here

 

Laki Kane: Tropical escapes and cocktail fun

Islington’s Laki Kane is like a one-way ticket to the tropics (rain outside or not). Specialising in rum and sunny, fruit-forward cocktails, the bar pulls in everyone from birthday groups to afterwork escapees. There’s a sense of adventure to the menu – think flaming garnish, coconut, and inventive infusions.

Travellers and local teams seeking a fun, less formal London cocktail bar often book tables here. If business socials have started to feel samey, try this twist of escapism.

Find out more about Laki Kane here

 

Scarfes Bar: Sophisticated sips in a clubby setting

At Scarfes Bar, housed in the Rosewood London, cocktails blend British spirit with creativity. The vibe is clubby but accessible – think deep armchairs, book-lined walls, and bartenders who love a bit of storytelling. Their ever-shifting menu is a journey in itself, drawing inspiration from literature, history, and London’s own drinking culture.

It’s a smart pick for locals searching out bars in London with character, or international guests wanting to dive deep into the city’s hospitality scene. Whether you’re meeting a client or relaxing after a long day in the shops, you’re well looked after.

Find out more about Scarfes Bar here

 

How to organise your perfect London cocktail crawl

So, what’s the best way to hop between these standout cocktail bars London style? Travelling with friends? Kick things off at The Cumberland, where Lirica and SOUND Café get everyone relaxed and settled. Heading for a pre-dinner drink before catching a show? Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen provides real drama, and from there, Soho and Mayfair are a 10-minute cab ride away – The Connaught Bar and Dukes Bar are ideal.

Locals can pace themselves with a mix of classics (The Connaught, Dukes) and innovators (Nightjar, 69 Colebrooke Row). If you’re fitting a bar into a business day, SOUND Café is made for informal meetings or afterwork hangs, and Laki Kane is worth the journey for a weekend recharge.

Practical tip: book ahead where possible, especially for weekends or large groups. Most top venues operate a reservation system, and even the more casual spots fill up fast.

 

Planning for business: Best bars for meetings, team events, and celebrations

Business doesn’t have to mean boring. The Cumberland Hotel regularly hosts meetings that ease perfectly into cocktail hour – no stuffy suits required unless you want them. Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen is ideal for client entertaining or internal team wins, with a buzz that gets everyone talking.

Swift Soho and The Connaught Bar are both sharp picks for impressing contacts, while SOUND Café is flexible for both small meetings and big post-conference drinks. If you want to add a little wow factor, Lirica’s Spanish-inspired drinks menu makes any business dinner memorable.

Coming from out of town? Stay at The Cumberland for easy access to central London and one of the city’s finest hotel bar trios under one roof.

Tips for cocktail fans: Making the most of the London cocktail bar scene

• Pace yourself – London’s best cocktail bars aren’t about quantity, but quality
• Go early if you want quieter seats; late for atmosphere
• Dress the part for Mayfair but relax at Lirica or SOUND Café
• Always ask your bartender for a twist on the classics
• Explore both hotel and standalone bars for the full spectrum
• Locals: use the hotel bars for pre-theatre or shopping breaks
• Travellers: choose accommodation with a top bar menu on-site

 

Planning your next round? The Cumberland Hotel is ready to help organise every detail, from custom menus to late check-outs for those who linger a little longer at the bar.

 

Ready for your own London cocktail experience?

Stay in prime West End comfort at The Cumberland Hotel and discover why our three distinct bars are favourites among travellers, locals, and cocktail connoisseurs. Whether you’re booking a girls’ trip, landing in town for business, or searching for bars near Oxford Street, your best night out starts (and can end) right here. Book direct for exclusive rates and priority reservations at – and between – Lirica, SOUND Café, and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. Your perfect London resort is shaking up cocktails any night of the week.

 

FAQs