So you’re looking for the best bars in Notting Hill? We’ve rounded up the gems of the neighbourhood, so whether you’re after a cocktail bar, a wine bar, a late-night spot, a happy hour deal or a place for drinks and live music, you’ll find it here.
In Notting Hill, wine enthusiasts are well served, as the wine bars in Notting Hill cater to all preferences. With expertly curated wine lists (featuring both local and international varieties) and knowledgeable sommeliers who’ll guide you through the flavours and nuances of each cuvée, these spots are a wino’s dream.
For anyone looking to see some live music, Notting Hill has got you covered. From small, intimate venues showcasing emerging talents to larger stages hosting established artists, the neighbourhood’s live music scene is as strong as ever.
In need of a cocktail? Notting Hill certainly has a talent for cocktail bars (as it does for pubs), so whether you’re more into quirky creations or certified classics, you’ll find both in this neighbourhood. And, if you happen to be in Notting Hill in the early evening, you’ll find a good selection of happy hour deals too.
Night owls will be able to take full advantage of Notting Hill’s late-night bars as well. It can be tricky to find somewhere for a drink after 11pm in London, but if you need a spot that stays open long after the sun sets, you’ll find one below. So, in no particular order, here are the best bars in Notting Hill.
Trailer Happiness
Stylish AND fun, Trailer Happiness is an unmissable cocktail bar in Notting Hill. It’s retro, it’s kitsch, it’s tiki and it’s totally great at this Portobello Road basement bar and yes, they have been known to light drinks on fire. Rum is very much the name of the game here with a large daiquiri selection and the ‘Zombie’, with five different rums in and a splash of absinthe for good measure, on the menu.
177 Portobello Road, London W11 2DY
trailerh.com
Viajante 87
From the same team behind Mexican-Japanese spot Los Mochis, Viajante 87 is an experimental cocktail bar just moments from Notting Hill Gate station. Centred around an extensive selection of world-class tequila and mezcal, the cocktail list includes a range of signatures, classics and limited-edition specials – overall, there are more than 300 drink options. The must-haves on the menu include their ‘Traveler’s Martini’, made with Tapatio Reposado tequila, The Lost Explorer Salmiana, tropical fruits honey and matcha, and the ‘Smoked Earth’, an unexpected blend of Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej mezcal, lacto fermented veggies and pink salt. Plus, there’s a killer selection of bar snacks, featuring plenty of imaginative Mexican-Japanese fusion plates.
Basement, 87 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JZ
viajantebar.com
Naked & Famous
Tucked away in the basement of Greek restaurant zēphyr, Naked & Famous is a late-night agave cocktail bar on Portobello Road. It’s clear that a huge amount of effort has gone into the design here and the bar’s every bit as photogenic as their cocktails, all of which incorporate agave. They regularly have live DJs playing here and the intimate space has room for 35 covers, so it’s a fantastic shout if you’re after a venue to host your next special occasion.
100 Portobello Road, London W11 2QD
zephyr.london
Notting Hill Arts Club
The Notting Hill Arts Club is a basement events space that holds everything from art exhibitions to club nights to movie screenings. They’ve got an excellent programme of live music too, so there’s almost always a band on, whether they’re playing jazz, indie, afro beats, pop or soul. There’s also a great bar at the club where you can grab something from their wicked selection of cocktails, shooters, ciders, craft beers and wine.
21 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ
nottinghillartsclub.com
The Distillery
The Distillery is London’s very own ‘gin hotel’ with four floors designed for you to drink, eat, and sleep it off! The ground floor is home to a pub called the Resting Room, where you can sample spirits from the barrels suspended from the ceiling; the first floor has a Spanish bar & restaurant, GinTonica; and then there’s The Ginstitute; a place where you can learn about the history of the tipple and blend your very own. For the sleep-it-off part, the bright boutique bedrooms are decked out with your very own cocktail bar, with shakers, garnish, ice, glasses and of course GIN.
186 Portobello Rd, London W11 1LA
the-distillery.london