Hi there! Are you stuck in London instead of whatever exciting travel you had planned this weekend due to a pandemic that will hopefully stay relevant for less time than these recommendations? Did you like my guide to London restaurants? Did it leave you wishing I had also told you about my favourite places to grab a drink? Fret no more, for the time has come for installment 2 of my London series (as just dubbed right now). Enjoy!
The chilled wine bar: Bedales, London Bridge
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If you like good wine, but like, really good wine that you might not find in other London bars, Bedales is the place for you. It’s independent, it’s family-owned, it’s French (which, if you ask me, is always a HUGE win) and it’s friendly, with the added bonus of live music every once in a while. If you can, ask to be seated in the upstairs terrace overlooking Borough Market - you won’t regret the view!
Similar: a little bit further out of the way but just as delicious, and with a cheese selection to die for, Authentique is another French winery you shouldn’t miss in Kentish Town.
The cozy, live-music bar: Oriole, Farringdon
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Don’t go to Oriole if you struggle with picking what you want, because there are so many goddamn cocktail options that even my chaotic, hoarder brain gets a little overwhelmed. With a card organised by regional inspiration and funky live music most nights, it’s the kind of place to go for a rowdy date or drinks with friends. The only downside? I really don’t like any of their nibbles…
Similar: Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration is similarly travel-themed, with excellent (if very expensive) cocktails in an original setting.
The cozy speakeasy: Discount Suit Company, Spitalfields
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I discovered the DSC three years ago, celebrating my birthday with two close friends. The barman, alongside our perfectly balanced drinks, brought out a bowl of houmous with three breadsticks in it and a match, for lack of candles and cake. Needless to say I was sold, and have gone back as often as I could to introduce people to the ever-changing, but always delicate, cocktail list and the truly esoteric list of bar accessories on show there. If you’re lucky, my favourite DJ, Eli Jacob Silverman, might even be playing some tunes…
Similar: the Vault, behind the bookcase in Milroy’s of London, offers delicious whisky-based cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere. Another absolute favourite of mine :)
The slightly more raucous speakeasy: La Bodega Negra, Soho
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Look, I’m going to be upfront with you, you’re going to need to walk through a sex shop entrance to get to this one. But first of all, the Mexican cocktails will make it 100% worth it, and second, you’ll be so ready to dance by the time you arrive that, if you’re me, you’ll forget you’re on your first date with the guy you’re going to move in with three months later and start dancing. At the risk of repeating myself, I’ll just say - PISCO SOURS ALL THE WAY.
Similar: this is mainly a similar option because we started said first date there, but Opium, in Chinatown, is another delightful speakeasy with delicious dim sum to accompany the entirely unexpected cocktails you’ll be sure to sample there.
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