Notting Hill may be most famous for its pastel houses and antique-laden market, but when the sun begins to dip behind its Victorian terraced rooftops, the neighbourhood shifts into a new dimension, as the bustling streets slow down and the many bars throughout the area begin to fill up. As a place brimming with creative and artsy types, it's only right that the crowd around Notting Hill should mirror the local bar scene.
From quirky speakeasies to candlelit cocktail dens, bodegas, brasseries and even a distillery or two. Notting Hill’s bar scene thrives on embracing its colourful, yet curated aesthetic, with plenty of upmarket establishments to grace for a drink.
Gold
Tucked along Portobello Road, Gold is a multi-level townhouse whose interiors mirror the area’s refined, yet unashamedly Bohemian character. Marked by exposed brick, antique mirrors and a garden room wrapped in greenery, it’s the kind of space that lends itself to lingering over carefully cut tumblers and martini glasses late into the evening.
The bar at Gold offers plenty of choice, from smoky mezcal cocktails paired with punchy citrus, barrel-aged Negronis poured over hand-cut ice. For those staying on, the seasonal food is equally compelling, with the likes of wood-roasted artichokes, slow-grilled lamb with anchovy yoghurt and flatbreads gracing the menu throughout the year. Gold is a quintessential Notting Hill bar, with bags of character and the right items on offer to keep the clientele returning on a regular basis.
Trailer Happiness
One part retro tiki bar, one part counter-culture stand, Trailer Happiness is a cocktail den that pays tribute to rum, rebellion and the golden age of kitsch. Found below street level on Portobello Road, it opens into a moodily lit, faux-tropical space with bamboo-lined walls, leopard print banquettes and hand-painted art works adorning the walls. The vibe is intentionally playful, but this is an establishment that takes fixing drinks seriously, and is well known as one of London’s premier destinations for rarer rums.
Signature cocktails include the house Mai Tai (a sharp, rum-forward take on Jamaican and Martinique blends) and a rotating menu of punch bowls served with dramatic garnishes. With a strong, loyal local following and a post-midnight energy boost, courtesy of a blend of reggae, funk and soul tunes, Trailer remains an unpretentious, immersive and slightly wilder location for drinks in the area.
The Pelican
The Pelican sits a few streets north of the tourist buzz, in the quieter folds of Notting Hill’s residential grid. A storied corner pub that’s been recently restored with sensitivity and style, its updated interiors combine Edwardian detailing with velvet booths, minimalist wall art and soft lighting that gives the space a slightly boudoir-esque feel.
As a proper pub with a proper beer cellar, visitors can expect tasty cask ale offerings, while the wine list has been assembled with a careful mix of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and plenty of orange and biodynamic options. It may be a gastropub, but the bar staff are more than handy when it comes to delivering a classic Vesper or dirty martini. Come winter, the firelit nooks make it a warm and welcoming favourite for those wanting a good corner to park in whilst enjoying a glass and casual conversation long into the night.
The Walmer Castle
This polished pub-turned-upmarket-lounge is a Soho House Group property, though it has the rare distinction of being open to the public. After a careful renovation, The Walmer Castle has retained its historic bones but updated its interiors with a palette of deep teals, worn woods and brass accents that capture the charm of the building and feel distinctly Soho House.
The bar offers the kind of simple comforts and well-made crowd pleasers that one would expect – crisp lagers and local bitters, classic cocktails and a wine list curated with more affluent West London regulars in mind. The barrel-aged cocktails are particularly noteworthy, and staff will offer tailored recommendations depending on your mood. It’s a stylish, quietly confident venue, best enjoyed in the leather booth by the fireplace with a Sazerac in hand.
The Ginstitute
Technically part of The Portobello Distillery but deserving of its own mention, The Ginstitute is a boutique gin-blending experience that also includes a hidden bar, The Boardroom, used for private sessions and events. When not booked, it occasionally opens to the public and offers one of the most specialised gin menus in the city. Decor is sparse but classical, with oak-panelled walls, decanters,and leather chairs that wouldn’t look out of place in a gentlemen’s club circa 1920.
It’s a well-established haunt for serious drinkers, with staff who double as distillers and historians for patrons who care to lend an ear. Visitors who manage to get a booking for the gin-blending session will leave with their own custom bottle, having sampled their way through botanical bases and flavour profiles. The bar itself serves gin three ways: vintage, house or custom, each with its own matching tonic and garnish, and it remains a popular fixture with gin lovers all over the neighbourhood.
The Little Yellow Door
One of Notting Hill’s most characterful and beloved spots on All Saints Road, The Little Yellow Door is cleverly styled to feel like the shared flat of a group of fictional housemates. Its vibrant, mismatched interiors mix battered leather sofas with velvet pouffes, kitsch tableware and tongue-in-cheek nods to student life, from board games and an old Nintendo 64 to shelves of well-thumbed paperbacks. This playful flatshare concept is extended through its house-party atmosphere, with an upstairs lounge for sipping cocktails and dining on small plates, and a basement DJ room where things liven up considerably after dark.
The bar is famed for its creative cocktail list, which leans heavily on crowd-pleasing classics with fun twists – Negronis served in teacups, giant Pornstar Martinis, and tequila sours with an unexpected kick. Its bottomless brunches are a weekend institution, as are the weekly supper clubs that feel like an invite-only dinner party. Popular with a young, energetic crowd, this is the perfect place for those who want their night out in Notting Hill to feel spontaneous and more alternative to the traditional bars of the area.
