It’s arguable that whisky is best enjoyed by the fireside of a Scottish castle, on a chilly winter’s night. Which sure is nice if you can get it, but we’ve got a better (and infinitely more feasible) idea. Why not head to a whisky-loving venue with your whisky-loving pals for some whisky-fuelled good times? Whisky loves company and there’s no finer place to enjoy it than these incredible whisky bars in London.
1. Black Rock, Old Street
This beautiful Shoreditch bar has a very unique selling point, and it comes in the form of a massive 185-year-old oak tree filled with rivers of whisky. We’re not kidding. At Black Rock they’ve taken a trunk, laid it on its side and chopped it in half, chiselled two channels down its length and filled them both with 17 litres of whisky cocktails. The tree is then covered with glass and used as a table.
The drinks age as they sit in the trunk, and are delivered straight to your glass through taps at the end. They also have over 350 whiskies to choose from. Add to that a blending room and an informal beer bar loosely based on a traditional Japanese Izakaya pub, and you’ve got a truly special venue – easily one of London’s most exciting whisky bars. Don’t miss their Tuesday tastings, which see them inviting distilleries to “share their captivating stories and showcase their exceptional expressions”.
📍 You’ll find Black Rock at 9 Christopher Street, London, EC2A 2BS.
🚇 Nearest station is Old Street.
2. Bull In A China Shop, Shoreditch
Bull in a China Shop has over 100 Japanese and Scotch whiskies behind the bar, claiming to have something for everyone – even the most insistent whisky sceptics. They also have a magnificent list of signature cocktails, such as the Chamomile and Charcoal Old-Fashioned.
They also have a pretty impressive food menu – making it just as suited for moody meals out as libation-fuelled evenings. Settle in with a plate of their signature Hainan Style Rotisserie Chicken and a bao bun or three, and wash it down with a few glasses of whisky. It doesn’t get much better than that!
📍 You’ll find Bull In A China Shop at 196 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6LG.
🚇 Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street.
3. Dram Bar, Soho
This playful new Soho bar stretches across three floors and features “[two] bars, a whisky shop, outdoor terrace, [and] a private pool room with ready-to-drink cocktail vending machine”. So it’s already an exciting must-visit for drinkers of all sorts who find themselves in the area. But if you’re a whisky connoisseur, particularly, you’re in luck. As you might have guessed from the name, they’re also big whisky fans here and serve plenty of whisky highballs, cocktails, and, yes, drams of whisky. Unlike some more ‘refined’ whisky bars, Dram offers up markedly more laid-back and casual vibes, but with just as much knowledge to hand.
📍 You’ll find Dram at 7 Denmark Street, WC2H 8LZ.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
4. Scarfe’s Bar, Holborn
A range of inventive and highly playful cocktails is the top draw at Scarfe’s Bar, where witty irreverence is the order of the day. Artfully social and a mere stone’s throw from Covent Garden, the cosy library bar is named after famous British caricaturist and artist Gerald Scarfe.
The drinks here are pretty damn exquisite, and a rotating menu keeps the selection fresh – but just try to pick from their vast whisky selection while you’re there. It’s absolutely gargantuan and packed with impressive bottles to sample.
📍 You’ll find Scarfe’s Bar at the Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN.
🚇 Nearest station is Holborn.
5. Swift, multiple venues
These award-winning, Scandi-themed cocktail bars have charmed Londoners since swinging open the doors to their original bar in Soho in 2016. They’re so well-regarded that they’ve featured in all sorts of ‘Best Bars in the World’ lists countless times. They’ve since swiftly expanded to a total of three locations with further sites in Shoreditch and Borough, bringing their gastronomical sips to even more Londoners.
Currently, Swift’s menu takes inspiration from the travel memories of their staff, with accompanying postcards recalling fond memories and trips. And then there’s the whisky. You’ll need some time to flick through their behemoth of a whisky menu, which includes whisky from such unexpected locales as Thailand, Sweden, and beyond. A friendly and joyous atmosphere makes for a spirited night.
📍 Find your nearest Swift bar here.
6. The Connaught Bar, Grosvenor Square
London’s Connaught Bar has been crowned the best cocktail bar in the world multiple times. Once alone is impressive, but to win it multiple times speaks to the quality of the bar. Under the leadership of Director of Mixology Agostino Perrone, Head Mixologist Giorgio Bargiani, and Bar Manager Maura Milia, this swish spot was feted for its innovative, seemingly effortless cocktails and a consistent brilliance that had seen it kicking around the upper echelons of the list for years now.
But if you prefer your spirits neat, it remains an incredible spot to enjoy a glass of whisky or two. They’ve got an impressive selection of single malts to choose from – including Islay and Highlands, as well as Japanese and American varieties. And, naturally, there are plenty of whisky-based cocktails to boot.
📍 You’ll find the Connaught Bar at Carlos Place, London, W1K 2A.
🚇 Nearest station is Green Park.
7. The Vault at Milroy’s, Soho
CURRENTLY TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION. DUE TO RE-OPEN SOON.
If you’re looking for whisky bars in Soho, you’re kind of spoiled for choice – but don’t overlook Milroy’s. A speakeasy-style spot, it’s hidden behind a bookcase in the oldest whisky shop in the city, Milroy’s of Soho. With stripped-back decor and dark wood panelling, it’s a broody spot with lovely, attentive staff and a fantastic selection of cocktails.
Whisky is the focus at The Vault of Soho, just like the shop upstairs, and the menu changes seasonally. The Coconut Butter Old Fashioned is a must-order, with a delicious mix of bourbon, coconut, and bitters. What more could you ask for?
📍 You’ll find The Vault of Soho at 3 Greek Street, London, W1D 4NX.
🚇 Nearest station is Tottenham Court Road.
8. The Sun Tavern, Bethnal Green
The Sun Tavern is a raucous London bar centred around delicious craft beer, live music, classically inspired cocktails, and great craic. They also claim to have London’s largest selection of Irish whiskey and ‘the world’s largest legal collection of Poitín‘. For those not in the know, that’s ‘Irish moonshine’ – better order a pint of water while you’re at it!
They’ve got over 200 different whiskies on offer here, and the list is always growing. It’s definitely worth a visit to this pub if you’re in the Bethnal Green area. It’s the kind of spot that will please any drinkers in your group – with an atmosphere that you can’t help but get swept up in!
📍 You’ll find The Sun Tavern at 441 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 0AN.
🚇 Nearest station is Bethnal Green.
9. Boisdale, Canary Wharf
Overlooking the picturesque Cabot Square in Canary Wharf, Boisdale brings a wee bit of Scotland all the way down to London. Supposedly they’re “home to the UK’s largest whisky bar” – so if you haven’t been yet you’re surely missing out!
The whisky here is – as you would expect – pretty fantastic and comes from all over Scotland. You can try tasting flights, sample whisky from all over the world, and even drink from bottles that are so old their respective distilleries don’t exist anymore! Good luck choosing, though; their ‘whisky bible’ comes in at a whopping 119 pages long.
📍 You’ll find Boisdale at Cabot Square, London, E14 4QT.
🚇 Nearest station is Canary Wharf.
10. Nancy Spains, Shoreditch
If Irish whiskey is what you’re after, head to London’s newest Irish pub for a plentiful selection to choose from. Highlighting the famous sips we’re all familiar with, as well as championing lesser-known brands, you’re sure to find something delicious to wet the whistle – without breaking the bank. While you’re there, be sure to try a pint of Murphy’s too; it’s a much-loved alternative to Guinness that you see surprisingly little of in the city.
📍 You’ll find Nancy Spains at 128-130 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AQ.
🚇 Nearest stations are Old Street and Shoreditch High Street.
11. TT, Shoreditch
Walk into TT and you’re greeted by a stunning restaurant with an impressive cocktail selection, but we reckon the fun is to be found via the stairs. You can either head down to the cellar bar (converted from the former cells of a Victorian police station) or up to the gorgeous roof terrace. They have a sprawling menu of drinks to choose from, so settle in for a spirited night.
Oh, and don’t worry if the sight of the food makes you peckish and you need to line your stomach. There’s delicious food available across all of TT’s areas, from the BBQ on the rooftop to the bar snacks downstairs, and the restaurant itself.
📍 You’ll find TT at 17B Kingsland Road, E2 8AA.
🚇 Nearest station is Hoxton.
12. Melody Whisky Bar, Hammersmith
For a more under-the-radar whisky drinking experience, head to Hammersmith’s St Paul’s Hotel, where you’ll find the Melody Whisky Bar. Boasting an “unmatched repertoire of renowned and specialist whiskies”, it’s the perfect spot for those looking to learn more about the water of life, and seasons whisky-sipping experts. You can enjoy a flight of five whiskies for as little as £15, or you can splash out and try some truly rare drams. They even have Pappy Van Winkle…
Melody Whisky Bar also hosts frequent tastings and paired meals – so you can really dig in and explore the nuances with fellow enthusiasts. When it comes to whisky bars, it doesn’t get much better than this.
📍 You’ll find Melody Whisky Bar at 153 Hammersmith Road, W14 0QL.
🚇 Nearest stations are Baron’s Court and Hammersmith.
So there you have it – some of London’s best whisky bars for sipping on drams in style. Who’s up for a spirited evening exploring them all?