Drinking establishments in Soho carry such a weight of history, myths and famous patrons that it can be difficult for new venues to establish themselves on the scene. There will always be a pilgrimage of sorts here for people that want to experience the same locations and atmosphere that provided watering holes for everybody from Charlie Chaplin to George Harrison, Bob Marley to Karl Marx and Johnny Rotten to George Orwell.
Here we take a look through some of the very best cocktail bars in Soho that are currently making a hit, and making a name for themselves in the best way possible.
Nightjar
Nightjar is reminiscent of a prohibition era speakeasy with a vintage aesthetic that uses 1920s design cues to great effect. A little tucked away, whilst still on the lively Kingly Court in the area, it offers a great retreat for a drink in exceptional surroundings. Their frequent live music evenings favour vintage jazz, ragtime and blues to help lose yourself in the period of a century ago with a fully immersive experience. Their approach to mixology here has been built on a philosophy of revival for drinks that would otherwise have been lost to the annals of time. Standouts in this selection include Bird – a heady mix of whiskey, pear liqueur and patchouli bitters that evokes the decadent jazz age. And the Jaguar Juice – a drink that Nightjar are so reluctant to see copied elsewhere that they keep many of the ingredients a secret. All quite fitting for this hidden gem of Soho nightlife.
Disrepute
The Luxury Libations tagline that Disrepute carries lets you know what can be expected from this subterranean marvel. Located beneath the streets of Kingly Court, it has a history similar to many of the Soho drinking venues deeply attached to the 1960s counterculture that made the area famous. Disrepute takes the home that was once the notorious Pinstripe Club and pays detailed tribute with mid-century sophistication through the low lighting, polished brass and plush velvet décor. The cocktail menu itself is even presented as a collection of short stories that are each inspired by Soho’s past residents, notable events and legends from its heyday. The sparkling L’ Appuntamento here combines RinQuinQuin peach aperitif, Apperol, Orange Blossom and Prosecco in a joyous blend for an evening starter. Intimate, experiential and engaging, this place looks destined to continue the building’s story for a long time to come.
Termini
Transporting 1950s Italy to the city of London for an elegant drinking establishment seems like the perfect idea, and Termini has done exactly that. This place manages to capture the atmosphere of a timeless espresso bar with an intimate cocktail lounge for a wonderful venue that offers something unique in Soho. Intimacy is probably the key word here with only enough space to serve around 20 people at the same time. It makes for a shared experience that is open and welcoming for the staff and all guests to spend time together. The chic and cosy interior design definitely helps too, with vintage furnishings, marble countertops and an appropriate centrepiece of an old espresso machine. Termini has become very well known for its speciality in the Negroni cocktail, offering an opportunity to taste much more than the standard versions that are now ever present. The Rosata Negroni is infused with petals to add a floral finish, and the Superiore Negroni adds a little spice with the addition of pink peppercorns. These may even be worth the trip alone.
The Thin White Duke
When a musician so innovative, influential, and so capable of the unexpected passes away, it seems entirely appropriate that a tribute to them should not be made in a conventional way. The Thin White Duke, as you will have undoubtedly guessed from the name, is inspired by the fantastic life and works of the late David Bowie. Much like the great man himself, this place enjoys taking the form of different personas through the use of the venue as a cocktail bar, café and recording studio. Expert mixologist Dav Eames has created a menu here that represents the singer’s own odyssey with some fun additions such as Gin and Milk – a nod to Bowie’s elaborate tastes with pink pepper gin, almond milk and white tea syrup. This is one to seek out for the heroes amongst us that want to combine a fantastic drink with elements of art, culture and music history.
The Violet Door
The idea of feeling perfectly at home while on evening out is a concept that The Little Violet Door has taken to an entirely new level. This two-storey venue is created completely to represent the feeling of a house part out of time, with each room decorated to a distinct 1960s, 70s and 80s style. The Sitting Room has a homely ambiance with fireplace and comfortable sofas to relax into while the Kitchen & Living Room provide a livelier atmosphere with music and dancing. There is even a Games Room decked out with retro video games for a dash of fun and energy. The Last Days of Disco cocktail is a collection of rums, apricot liqueur and fruit juices, served in a coupe with a candy floss garnish for a high camp and sensational drink.
Thirteen LDN
Thirteen LDN is a bold venue with elements of Baroque and Gothic all perfectly at home as part of the stunning Chateau Denmark Hotel. The hotel celebrates yet another huge part of English music history and even has the old residence of the Sex Pistols as part of one of many boutique suites and rooms. Thirteen gathers all of this heritage from the swinging Soho sixties through the chaos of Punk Rock in the seventies and on to the Britpop explosion that defined the nineties, to produce an experience that they want to be ‘exclusively for everyone’. A menu of classic cocktails is peppered with specials such as the Thirteen’s Negroni, using Bombay Sapphire, Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino and some ingredients that remain classified for a secret touch. With a collection of sushi and small plates to enjoy, this place can offer a full evening out of rock and roll glamour and stories.
With history on every corner and some cocktails that are pushing the very boundaries of mixology, Soho is a fabulous place to enjoy a cocktail in London. It makes sense to enjoy a mix of booked tables at some of your favourites and allow yourself to be drawn into others as the night creates its own story for you and your friends.
