5 of London’s best cocktail bars make World’s 50 Best list

Held in Bangkok, the annual award ceremony celebrated the top tier of cocktail bars from around the globe, with Barcelona bar Sips coming in first place.

Out of the 50 bars named, five were from London.

The Connaught Bar made number five (Image: Connaught Bar)

Connaught Bar

Mayfair’s Connaught Bar came in at fifth place. No stranger to accolades, the esteemed watering hole, was described as a “quintessential hotel bar experience” that is “all about fine drinking and elegant hospitality”.

The bar was praised for it Cubist-inspired interiors, and its dedicated management team whose perfectionism results in eight hours of prep preceding service.

Drinks not to miss are the dry martini, or choose something more contemporary from the changing menu, or perhaps a classic hit from the Masterpieces section.

The bar is inside the Connaught, Carlos Place W1K 2A, UK.

Tayer Elementary in Shoreditch (Image: Tayer + Elementary)

Tayēr + Elementary

In eighth place, Tayēr + Elementary on Shoreditch’s Old Street was praised for its seasonal cocktail list and “sustainably-minded” techniques which make them, and its over all progressive approach to the bar experience and cocktail making, which sees the team playing with ingredients and techniques to come up with new flavours.

While drinks change with the seasons, Tayēr + Elementary’s notable stalwart classic is the One Sip Martini.

Tayēr + Elementary’s address is 152 Old Street, Shoreditch EC1V 9BW

Satan’s Whiskers on Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green (Image: Satan’s Whiskers)

Satan’s Whiskers

Graffiti covered Satan’s Whiskers made the list in the number 28 spot. Although the exterior is gritty, and grubby, inside is a warm, dark den of a drinking hole that serves good drinks without any fuss or pretention.

The 50 Best team noted: “Satan’s Whiskers is that rare thing in the modern bar world: a cocktail bar without a theme. No far-fetched menu concepts, no crack PR machine, just a dedication to the basics – delicious and dependable drinks, warm service and a great atmosphere.”

Find it at 43 Cambridge Heath Road E2 9RA.

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London (Image: Scarfes Bar)

Bar with Shapes for a Name

While a Bar with Shapes for a Name may sound punishingly hipster, this Haggerston cocktail bar’s wingding name is a homage to Bauhaus, the inspiration for most of the bar’s creative cues.

Functionalism and minimalism run through the Kingsland Road spot – which lands in 38th place on the list – from the block colour overall uniforms to the 20 bottle cap on spirits used in the cocktails.

Drinks are batch made, so ready in seconds, and due to the popularity of the place and its 4am licence, Shapes has expanded into its basement.

To visit, head to 232 Kingsland Road, Whitmore Estate, Haggerston E2 8AX

Scarfes Bar

Found in the Rosewood Hotel on High Holborn, Scarfes Bar, number 41 on the list, is a lively spot that is well put together but fun. Double-breast jacketed bar tenders, animated hosts and live music create the charm and atmosphere of the spot.

The 50 best team recommend the bar’s El Bandito, a take on a Paloma or The Last Call which is a sherry based riff on a fig Manhattan.

Find it at Rosewood London 252 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7E.

Just missing out on the a spot in the best of list, Lyaness at the Sea Containers on Bankside came in at 54th place, Donovan Bar in Mayfair’s Brown’s Hotel made it in at 92, while Artesian at The Langham was last on the list in one hundredth place.

To see the full list of bars visit worlds50bestbars.com