Discover London's hidden speakeasies tucked behind bookshelves, fridge doors, and old railway arches. From 1940s jazz lounges to quirky fridge bars and WWII code-breaking cocktail spots, explore secret bars that transform an ordinary night into a movie scene. Crafted by 88gravity to uncover the thrill-seeker’s London—mysterious, immersive, unforgettable.
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Here we have two Londons. One is noisy and bright – the Big Ben, the red buses, the Thames walks. The other one is less noisy. Quirkier. Deliciously mysterious. It is found behind bookshelves, via fridge doors, under old railway arches and in what appears to be an abandoned toilet.
London is the city of secret bars – secret speakeasies that can make an average night look like a movie. This is more than a list blog. It is a passport to the London of the thrill-seeker, tailored to the individuals who feel that the best things in life are the ones whispered rather than shouted.
London's hidden bars are a testament to the city's enduring spirit of innovation and theatricality. They are meticulously crafted environments, each with its own story, designed to transport you and offer an experience far beyond just a drink. This guide invites you to step behind the curtain and discover the London that only a select few truly know. Let’s step behind the curtain.
Vibe: 1940s Private Detective meets Smoky Jazz Lounge
Through a frosted glass window in an old door, the office of a detective right out of a Raymond Chandler novel is revealed. Dim lighting. Scattered work desk. A “detective” in suspenders questioning you on the reasons of your arrival. Pro tip: invent a false case. This initial encounter is an immersive theatrical experience, setting the tone for your clandestine evening.
Then the magic comes. A wall opens up and you find yourself in a secret speakeasy with candles casting their light upon exposed brick walls and smooth jazz filling the atmosphere. Get the “Smoked Old Fashioned,” which comes with a bell jar full of thick smoke, and have tapas as you deliberate on your case. The jazz often features live musicians, adding to the authentic 1940s vibe.
Where to look: Tucked away near Earls Court Station. No signage. Just confidence.
Finding Evans & Peel is part of the adventure. The lack of overt signage reinforces its hidden gem status, rewarding those with a keen eye and a bit of nerve.
Vibe: WWII Blitz Bunker Turned Boozy Tube Station
The spirit of London is up, the war has ended and you are going to a party. Underground. Literally.
Cahoots is a former 1940s air raid shelter, now a retro haven. Expect vintage Tube carriages, booths, bunting, ration-book menus, and bartenders in RAF officer and WREN uniform. Every detail contributes to the immersive illusion of a clandestine tube station party.
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You may receive your beverage in a tin mug, teacup, or even a boot (seriously). How about The Vera Lynn, floral, bright, and guaranteed to get you feeling like you are swing dancing in Piccadilly. The staff are fully in character, enhancing the wartime experience.
Insider tip: It’s in Kingly Court. Look for a staircase with a sign that looks like London Underground graffiti. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Its location within Kingly Court makes it easily overlooked. The "London Underground graffiti" sign is your subtle hint to a vibrant, popular spot. Booking ahead is highly recommended.
Vibe: Playful, Neon, Fridge-Freaking Cool
Walk into The Breakfast Club café. Order a pancake stack. Then lean in and whisper: "I'd like to see the Mayor." This playful password is your key to an unexpected adventure.
Next thing you know, you’re being ushered through a Smeg fridge. Yes, a fridge. Push through, descend a staircase lit by flickering bulbs, and welcome yourself into one of London's most iconic hidden bars.
Low ceilings, mismatched furniture, glowing cat signs, and a buzzing crowd fill this quirky subterranean space. Try the “Tommy’s Margarita” – smooth and dangerously drinkable, perfectly complementing the bar's casual cool.
Secret hint: Go in the early evening for a more intimate vibe. Late nights get wild.
Visit early for a relaxed ambience, or embrace the high energy of late nights. This bar adapts to your desired pace.
Vibe: WWII Codebreaking Mission Meets Molecular Mixology
Here, you're not just drinking—you’re decoding. Inspired by Bletchley Park and Alan Turing, this bar makes you crack codes to unlock your personalised cocktail. The act of ordering transforms into an intellectual puzzle.
Slide into a WW2 bunker replica. Don a military jacket. Use a vintage radio and a decryption sheet. Your answers are relayed to a “chemistry lab” of bartenders who’ll mix your mystery drink. The result? A cocktail crafted entirely to your taste—no menu, just alchemy.
Access code: Located inside the Chelsea Funhouse. The sign outside is subtle. The experience is not.
Located within the Chelsea Funhouse, The Bletchley's entrance is discreet. However, the interactive and immersive experience inside is anything but subtle. Booking in advance is almost always necessary.
Vibe: Tailor’s Basement with a Splash of Sinatra
It looks like an old tailor’s shop. But beneath the floorboards, lies a low-ceilinged, candlelit cocktail bar that oozes old-school cool.
You’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into a secret jazz club in 1950s Chicago. The menu is small, the service is stellar, and the cocktails are chef’s kiss. Try “The Cravat” – a bittersweet beauty with notes of cherry, smoke, and style. The atmosphere is perfect for hushed conversations and contemplative sips.
Look for: Faint signage and an old wooden door near Petticoat Lane. If you feel like you’re trespassing, you’re on the right path.
Its faint signage and old wooden door near Petticoat Lane are deliberately discreet. The feeling of "trespassing" is part of its charm, making the discovery all the more rewarding.
Vibe: Alice in Wonderland Meets Willy Wonka with Booze
This place doesn’t just break the rules—it turns them into cocktail garnishes.
You enter what seems like a funky Shoreditch bar. But push through a wardrobe, and you're in a secret space filled with glowing comic menus, velvet booths, and psychedelic wallpaper. Each room feels like a chapter of a surrealist novel.
The drinks are colourful, daring, and unforgettable. Want to sip something made with peanut rum, banana liqueur, and cocoa bitters? Of course you do. Their bartenders are true alchemists, unafraid to experiment.
Hint: The first room will charm you. The second will astound you.
The bar's magic unfolds in layers, with each new room offering more whimsical delights and visual surprises.
Vibe: Golden Age of Jazz Meets Prohibition Perfection
Down a flight of stairs, behind an unlabeled door, awaits one of London’s best-kept secrets. Nightjar is a symphony of candlelight, live jazz, antique silverware, and cocktails that look like art.
The menu is divided into eras – pre-prohibition, prohibition, and post-war. Each drink comes with a backstory and ingredients you've likely never tasted before. Try “The Absinthe Frappe” with a puff of dry ice and a story to match, adding theatricality to your historical sip.
Pro move: Book in advance. Always. It’s that good.
Its reputation means it's consistently in high demand. Without a reservation, especially on weekends, you're unlikely to get in.
Vibe: From Loo to Luxury Lounge
It was once a Victorian public toilet. Today? It’s a cocktail sanctuary of the coolest kind. This ingenious transformation is a marvel of urban regeneration.
Raw stone walls, slick bartenders, and experimental drinks. Everything about this place screams underground in both location and culture. You’ll walk in skeptical, leave a believer.
Try the “L&G Martini” – sharp, cold, and smoother than your best pickup line. This bar excels at perfecting the classics while also embracing innovation.
Landmark clue: Look for the wrought iron railings near the station entrance.
Its discreet location is marked by the wrought iron railings near Kentish Town station, adding to the thrill of discovering this unique subterranean spot.
Vibe: Flatshare Party with Mad Drinks and Board Games
It’s designed like a Notting Hill share house—but it throws better parties than any real one ever did. There’s a “living room,” a “kitchen,” even a “bedroom,” and every corner feels like a memory waiting to be made.
The drinks are cheeky, the playlists are fire, and the Friday supper clubs? Legendary. It’s a place for letting loose and enjoying genuine connections.
Ring the bell: It’s literally a yellow door on a quiet street. Act like you live there.
Just ring the bell at the distinctive yellow door. Acting like you live there enhances the immersive, unpretentious fun.
Vibe: Minimalist, Japanese-Inspired Cocktail Zen
Upstairs from a KFC on Mare Street is a door that leads you into a cocktail monastery. No flashing lights, no gimmicks—just seriously elevated drinks made with love and precision.
Think crystal-clear ice, house ferments, vintage glassware, and a menu designed like poetry. It’s the kind of place where one cocktail can change your whole mood, thanks to its serene atmosphere and meticulous craftsmanship.
What to know: Not flashy. But unforgettable.
This bar proves that true sophistication doesn't need to shout. Its quiet excellence and profound quality make it a cherished hidden gem.
Don’t tell everyone. Just tell your favourites.
These places survive because they’re discovered, not overrun. They’re stories whispered in circles, names passed between kindred spirits who believe finding a great bar should feel like falling into a movie scene. This rule ensures their magic endures.
Cheers to hidden wonders. Cheers to London. Cheers to you.
This blog has been thoughtfully crafted by the experts at 88gravity with one simple goal — to enhance the enjoyment of Londoners.
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Written by Kuldeep Kamboj
