Flanked by Central London’s high-end streets on one end while tangoing with the city’s rich west end on the other, Fitzrovia is poised to be deluged with life’s finest things. Besides the congregation of leading media houses and big corporations, the locale is flush with flagship boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and elegant cafes. A bustling cosmopolitan neighbourhood, the bars here promise an unbeatable experience with boujee cocktails, elevated ambiences, and Instagram-worthy interiors. Continue reading to find the best bars in Fitzrovia.
1. The Lucky Pig Fitzrovia
A late-night cocktail bar with world-class live music and chic interiors, the Lucky Pig is the place to be for a long night out. The iconic Fitzrovian watering hole got its name from the term “blind pigs,” which referred to secret pubs where people would gather and drink during Prohibition. As a basement establishment, the pub certainly retains some covertness, which ties in with its name. Aesthetically faded purple wallpaper clings to the walls, accompanied by ornate old artwork and vintage sconces. Littered with gothic furniture, it embodies an alternative and dark charm. With small cubby holes as well as spacey private lounges, the Lucky Pig is a great spot for intimate gatherings.
The Lucky Pigs' mixologists are artists in their own right. The pub also conducts exclusive mixology masterclasses, which have been ranked number one by noted lifestyle publications Secret London, HeadBox, and Design My Night. The cocktail menu is full of strong yet delicious libations. Gin-based cocktails are particularly popular in the extensive drinks menu – Persephone (made with Hendricks gin, elderflower liqueur, Cointreau, botanical syrups, citrus juices, and egg whites); Tea Dance 24 (a blend of Bombay Sapphire gin infused with Earl Grey tea, apricot liqueur, orange bitters, and lemon juice); and Silent Summer (a mix of Silent Pool gin, apple and lemon thyme bitters, hibiscus tea, lavender syrup, sour cherry molasses, and citrus juices) have been highly rated by visitors.
The pub loves experimenting with different genres, as evidenced by the eclectic range of musicians performing live every evening. The house DJs have been known to “raise a musical storm,” keeping the Lucky Pig upbeat all night until the early hours of the next day.
2. The Union Bar Regents Place
Located on Triton Street, the Union is a casual hangout spot with al-fresco dining, pub classics, and snazzy drinks. A massive loft with walnut-tinted wooden walls, quirky posters, and an open seating plan, the Union is a laid-back joint with a vibrant ambience. With a leafy beer garden in the back and a terrace overlooking the bustling happenings of the street, there are various options for unwinding depending on one’s mood.
The menu is certainly off-beat. While pub classics such as burgers and steaks are on the menu, there’s a medley of global dishes such as the Buddha bowl, shakshuka, and haddock tacos. In addition to the quintessential British beers such as Camden Hells and Birra Moretti, premium wines and cocktails are also on the table. The Union's twist on classic cocktails such as the rum punch, dark n’ stormy, and caipirinha makes them highly popular.
3. Bourne & Hollingsworth
Bourne & Hollingsworth celebrates the guileless abandon and decadence of simpler times. It is one of the most eye-catching pubs in Fitzrovia . Vintage paintings adorn every inch of the establishment, from the exterior frontage to the walls of the lounge. Ceiling-to-floor paintings creatively capturing mundane human interactions envelop the pub, from depictions of people drinking in a garden to a vivid portrayal of two women gossiping. The artwork is paired with antique velvet furniture and lamps.
The ambience is designed to create “a simple, eccentric evening of hedonism.” Everything goes, from indulgent drinking to dancing on the sofas and loud chatter – the space is dedicated to providing a few hours of wild freedom after a long day. Besides bar snacks, guests are in store for quality wines and bespoke cocktails. The basement pub’s libations are experimental and delicious. “Lady Rosa” is particularly enticing, made with Beefeater Gin, bergamot, rose liqueur, fresh lemon juice, orange bitters, and prosecco. The “tiramisu flip” is another tantalising drink created by blending aged rum, whole eggs, oat milk, coffee liqueur, and espresso.
4. The Smugglers Tavern
This Georgian pub has witnessed the chequered history of London’s past. Apparently, the great train robbery of 1963 – in which a Royal Mail train from Glasgow was robbed of £2.6 million (equivalent to £30 million today) – was planned at this pub. With many petty criminals and smugglers having frequented this watering hole back in the day, its current chosen name is certainly apt. The establishment is an open-planned lounge with cerulean panelling. Nautical maps and antique bulbs adorn the room. The drinks menu is an extensive catalogue of ales, lagers, and dark liquor, which is certainly on brand with the old-world roguish masculinity the pub evokes.
The Smugglers Tavern has been referred to as the “purveyor of dark rum.”. Among all the spirits, rum is certainly cherished at this pub, which hosts a whopping 30 different varieties. The classics, such as Jamaican and Cuban rum, as well as other underappreciated global names, are proudly displayed on their shelves. In the laundry list of cocktails, the rum mixes such as mai tais, dark n’ stormy, and daiquiris truly stand out.
5. Punch Room
A modern rendition of London’s retro private clubs, the Punch Room is an oasis of quietude in the spoiling cacophony of the district. Housed in the exclusive hotel Edition, the Punch Room is nestled in a 19th-century luxury townhouse. The room is built of oak panels and is smothered in Yves Klein blue. Sheeny blue sofas, a blue ceiling pendant, and a small bar complete the intimate and decadent cocoon.
The cocktails, ranging from milk punch to libations made with Southeast Asian spices, are incredibly imaginative. With classy jazz tinkling away in the background, guests can unwind with lavish drinks and tasteful bar snacks.
6. Lucy Wong
Lucy Wong is an East Asian-themed bar inspired by the love story ‘A World of Suzie Wong’ written by Richard Mason, set in 1950s Hong Kong. The pub is a rose-tinted space, adorned with Chinese ornaments and imbued with the beautiful romantic air of the story. The soft ambience, created by vibrant colours and cosy spaces, is aesthetically appealing and deeply soothing. Chaise chairs, Chinese tapestries, golden-yellow lights, and ornate partitions are tastefully arranged.
Every detail of the pub has been manicured to perfection. Even the cocktails and food boast a romantic colour palette and an enviable dress sense. The dumplings are served on vivaciously green banana leaves, and the cocktails, mostly pink, are accessorised with flowers, seeds, and fruit. The mouth-watering dishes include Cantonese duck, dim-sum baskets, and meat-sharing plates. Infused with an exotic East Asian twist, Lucy Wong’s cocktails are majestic. “Breakfast in Beijing” (a blend of Ukiyo Yuzu gin, Mandarin Napoleon liqueur, Mandarin marmalade, and lemon); “Eastern Sour” (features Orientalist Origins vodka, raspberry and thyme liqueur, raspberry shrub, lime, rhubarb bitters, and egg white); and “Shanghai” (made with Ukiyo Yuzu gin, Orientalist Gunpowder gin, lychee liqueur, house yuzu citrus, lemongrass syrup, and prosecco) are a few notable gems from the cocktail menu.
7. The Refinery at Regent's Place
An establishment exuding contemporary elegance, the Refinery is the ultimate pub for trendy cocktails, a head-bobbing indie playlist, and chill vibes. The establishment is a massive loft with wooden panels, imitation stone flooring, sleek metal ceiling lamps, and an open-seating plan with light wood furniture. The ceiling-high bar and full-wall glass windows underscore the pub’s modern appeal. With its chic warehouse charm, it predominantly attracts youngsters.
The Refinery provides an elevated take on classic pub food – the “Wagyu Sausage and Mash” and the “Breaded Sea Bass Fillet” are this season’s signature dishes. With dishes such as imitation shrimp bites and vegan shepherd's pie, plant-based folks have plenty of options.
Guests can expect extravagant wines, cocktails, premium liquor, lagers, and CBD-infused sparkling water at the Refinery. With reputed mixology classes, it is no wonder that the venue’s cocktails stand out. “Spice ‘n’ Ice” (a unique blend of El Jimador tequila, lemongrass, lime syrup, and Asahi beer); “Northern Lights” (Pampero rum and Briottet orange infused with orgeat, butterfly pea, flower tea, and citrus); and “Persian Spritz” (Tanqueray gin, pomegranate and rose cordial, elderflower, basil, and pink prosecco) are promising picks of the sizeable bunch.
8. Waeska
An exclusive bar tucked away in Mandrake, a five-star boutique hotel, Waeska stands out for its bespoke cocktails and collection of objets d'art. With the drinks being inspired by ethnobotany – a study of regional plants and their social, cultural, and practical significance – the artefacts are mainly sculptures of mythical animals, flora, and foliage. Tall trees occupy the central courtyard. A private nook, referred to as the “red booth,” made entirely from red velvet cushions, is a cosy cocoon, cast away from the hubbub of the remaining bar. The main bar area is outfitted with ebony wood panels, dim lamps, and a statue of a mythical animal dressed in peacock feathers (that sculpture definitely steals the show).
Some of its botany-themed cocktails include Oshun (Bombay Sapphire gin blended with gynostemma herb, yuzu sake, basil, sudachi sherbert, and champagne) and Euphoria (St. Germain elderflower, Muyu Chinotto, blood orange, champagne, and fennel). Sakes, spirits, and mezcals are also on the menu.
9. Shochu Lounge
Named after Japan’s national drink, Shochu is a celebration of Japan’s lively drinking culture. Residing in the basement of one of London’s prime Japanese restaurants, Roka, guests can indulge in Japanese cocktails under bountiful canopies of cherry blossoms. The sultry atmosphere is further enhanced by bold scarlet furniture and pink hues of light.
The bar presents shochu of all flavours, which can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails. Among the many concoctions, the Negroni San, made with shochu, vermouth, cedar wood, and campari, is highly rated. Wine and sake are also on the menu. Bar snacks include sushi with oscietra caviar, beef skewers, and spiced edamame. Fitzrovia’s sheer extravagance and spirited bustle are a great getaway from the drudgery of everyday life. Moreover, there’s nothing like bookending a day with drinks at a picturesque bar in one of London’s premiere neighbourhoods – Fitzrovia pubs certainly do escapism well. This is your sign to step back and unwind at the locale's best bars.
