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The Top 5 Hotel Bars in London

There鈥檚 nothing quite like a chic London hotel bar to make you feel like one of societies elite members.

You won鈥檛 find Elton John or the Beckhams lingering around at any old street bar. They go where privacy and intimacy matter; they go to hotel bars. But where exactly does one venture?

1. The Bloomsbury Club in London

The Bloomsbury Hotel

This dream bar drew inspiration from the legendary Bloomsbury Set. They were a group of writers who would hang around London鈥檚 west end during the 20th century; the neighborhood has a few blue plaques dedicated to them as well that can be seen on a guided walking tour.

This space is astounding. An art-deco dreamworld with a fairytale terrace lined with trees and lit only by candles.

The Bloomsbury Club in London – by The Bloomsbury Club –

The cocktails are named after some of the writers who were part of the ear; toss back a Virginia Woolf or an E.M Foster. However, nothing beats their basic Old Fashioned, I must say.

On Friday鈥檚 they do live jazz in the basement; come early to get a table. It鈥檚 not enforced, but one should dress for this occasion. It鈥檚 a classy spot and you鈥檒l feel far more immersed if you play the part, too.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday 鈥� 5pm to 1am

ADDRESS: The Bloomsbury Club Bar, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Tottenham Court Road

2. The Coral Room in London

The Bloomsbury Hotel

If The Bloomsbury Club happens to be full upon your arrival, it鈥檚 a short hop over to The Coral Room, situated inside of the same hotel.

This is palm-tree, London glamour that has notes of a Cuban island rum-lounge to it. Probably one of the most Instagram-worthy spaces in all of the city.

The Coral Room in London – by The Coral Room –

The Coral Room opens in the morning, while The Bloomsbury Club is strictly an evening venue. So things get festive here a lot earlier. Note that they do close a bit earlier as a result, but when they do you can simply move over to The Bloomsbury Club for an extra hour or so.

While they do serve cocktails and drinks to carry you late into the night, people also come for their creative afternoon high tea which is wonderful to experience amongst friends. It鈥檚 also a very popular brunch spot on weekends.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday 鈥� 10am to 12am

ADDRESS: The Coral Room, 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Tottenham Court Road

3. The Cocktail Lounge in London

The Zetter Townhouse

The Zetter Townhouse recently underwent a series of renovations that transformed the hotel into a luxury space replicating a bygone era. It鈥檚 vintage, it鈥檚 eclectic and its hotel bar will make you swoon.

The Cocktail Lounge features plush, mismatched furniture, fireplaces, dark wood, kitsch imported rugs and taxidermy animals here and there. It鈥檚 like where, as a child, you imagined adults spent their rainy days while you were stuck in school. That鈥檚 the best way to describe it.

The Cocktail Lounge in London – by The Zetter Townhouse –

As the name suggests, The Cocktail Lounge has a menu of creative drinks curated by a few top mixologists within the London industry.

This also happens to be one of the most reasonably priced 4-star hotels in London based on price per night. Definitely one to consider if you鈥檙e opting out of Airbnb.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Daily

ADDRESS: 49-50 St John’s Square, Farringdon, London EC1V 4JJ, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Barbican

4. Dukes Bar in London

Dukes Hotel

James Bond fans will appreciate this one. Duke鈥檚 Bar in Mayfair is supposedly the spot that inspired Ian Fleming to write the famous 鈥淪haken, not stirred鈥� line. He was a regular at this bar and very much enjoyed its fashionable yet classic appeal.

On that note, there is a 鈥渟mart casual鈥� dress code required to enter. Heavy on the smart, easy on the casual鈥� you鈥檒l thank me later.

Dukes Bar in London – by Dukes Bar –

The space is so wonderfully British without being tacky or generic; like what unknowing travelers expect all spaces in London to look like prior to their arrival. It鈥檚 a short walk over to another very British establishment in London Town: Buckingham Palace. Have you booked your guided walking tour for this?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday 鈥� 2pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Green Park

5. The Artisan in London

The Langham

I鈥檒l open with the fact that The Artisan has scooped up the best bar in the world award for four years in a row now. I could probably leave it at that and it be enough to get you through the doors.

What makes this bar inside The Langham so fantastic? I believe it has a lot to do with the perfect ration of theatrics and simplicity that they do oh, so well.

The Artisan in London – by The Artisan –

The bar itself is a theatrical masterpiece of design. The menu and drinks lists are where we find the simplicity that sews the space together seamlessly. If you鈥檙e a rum lover then this is your place.

They open at 11am daily and do a very pleasant tea and brunch menu until regular bar hours set in. So if late night drinking isn鈥檛 really your thing you are still very welcome in this inclusive space.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday 鈥� 11am to 1am

ADDRESS: 1C Portland Pl, Marylebone, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom

METRO STATION: Oxford Circus Underground