Drink
THE KINGS ARMS
The Kings Arms is truly a part of LGBTQ+ history in Soho – they started off being known as a ‘gentlemen’s bar’ back in the 1970s and became officially recognised as a gay bar in 1981. They’re affectionately known as ‘London’s favourite bear bar’, and have been running their popular Bearaoke night for 20 years. As well as that, they have a midweekly quiz night, a range of cabaret shows, Dragaoke, LGBTQIA+ open-mic night, and at weekends there are guest and resident DJs playing disco, house and electro beats.
ABOVE THE STAG THEATRE & BAR
Above the Stag Theatre & Bar is known for its LGBTQ+ themed programme of exhibitions, readings, plays, musicals, cabaret and comedy. With their two theatres, a gallery, cafe and bar, they’re dedicated to providing a platform for queer voices and, of course, to be entertaining. Make sure to grab a drink in the bar in the renovated railway arch or on the outdoor terrace before settling in for your show.
The Duke of Wellington serves as a Soho local to the LGBTQ+ community, a classic British pub – so you know what you’re getting – that’s super friendly and welcoming. There’s definitely more of a chilled-out and casual vibe, but the Welly also has weekly DJ sets every Friday and Saturday night and regular drag shows.
RETRO BAR
As the name suggests, Retro Bar has total retro vibes, with vinyl banquettes, mismatched chairs, an eclectic jukebox and baby pink walls decorated with a rock n’ roll gallery and multi-coloured fairy lights. It’s been a hangout for the alternative LGBTQ+ crowd since the 90s and hosts a series of regular events, including Busy Lady Bingo with Sheila Simmonds, a pub quiz hosted by Princess Julia and DJ sets by Mike Menace and Kat Hudson.
BETHNAL GREEN WORKING MEN'S CLUB
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club has been around for decades (since 1953 to be exact) and it’s still an East End icon and fave for its drag nights, burlesque shows, karaoke, comedy, DJ sets and more. The interior is reminiscent of the club’s mid-century roots, with wood-panelled walls and checkerboard floors, while their trademark giant light-up heart takes centre stage against a backdrop of tinsel fringe curtains. In their own words, this is the place to be for a “wild and unhinged time” – what more could you want?
SWEETIES
Located on the tenth floor of The Standard, cocktail bar Sweeties is serving up retro opulence and intriguing drinks, with a side order of killer views over London. As well as plenty to look out of the windows, the interiors are pretty stunning too, with ochre velvet sofas, mirrored tables and ruched leather banquettes complementing the Seventies brutalist vibe of the rest of the hotel. The cocktail list has been created by mixologists Jack Sotti and Todd Austin, and thanks to the presence of mood-boosting and feel-good ingredients including adaptogens and nootropics, it’s definitely one of the more interesting menus in town. There’s the light and fruity Frothy Boi (with lacto-rhubarb, gin, bay leaf, pink salt & fermented fluffy oats), the hot & cold No Whey José (with tequila, strawberry, red rice, rose & salted hot coconut foam), and the standout Pick Me Up (with vodka, rum, coffee, a blend of 8 adaptogenic mushrooms, caramel & burnt butter), which is like an espresso martini only much more complex and even more drinkable.
ALLEGRA
Allegra in Stratford is home to a huge, 11,290 sq ft rooftop terrace and garden complete with wraparound views of the city. They open their doors each spring with a menu, full of seasonal British produce, overseen by Head Chef Patrick Powell to match. Surrounded by greenery and water features, it’s a beautiful spot for a sunny day spent sipping on spritzes, with good food and live music on Sundays.
Acme Fire Cult, the live fire kitchen from Andrew Clarke and Daniel Watkins, has opened a permanent restaurant, with a covered and heated terrace, at 40FT Brewery in Dalston. Here the pair are taking the concept to the next level by collabing with Steve Ryan of 40FT, to use beer brewing by-products in their cooking – hello Acme Marmite and hot sauce made from beer-soaked chillies. The menu showcases veggies, dayboat fish, and native breed meat from regenerative farms, with dishes like grilled leeks with pistachio romesco; char siu of monkfish with jalapeno verde & grilled sea vegetables; and smoked shortrib (glazed in molasses made from 40FT Eccles Cake Stout), mustard greens, beef fat cream & ancho koji flatbread. And the restaurant has ten beer taps pouring fresh brews, with 40FT knocking up a special edition beer each month to go with the menu.
Ice skating season may be over, but bring on terrace bar season at Somerset House. London’s beloved landmark and home to countless exhibitions, concerts and events welcomes back its canopied outside bar for sunnier days. Not only can you hang out at the bar with a drink while overlooking the river Thames and London skyline, but you can also grab a bite to eat from their tapas menu of familiar faves, including padron peppers, mini chorizo and patatas bravas.
ANYA CAFE
Inspired by the traditional British caff, Anya Cafe is at the heart of The Village, Anya Hindmarch’s retail experience. Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or some aperitifs, the all-day spot has got you covered. And their menu, cakes, pastries and drinks all deliver on the brand’s signature playfulness – you can expect googly eyes accompanying your afternoon tea and smiley face-shaped oat cakes on your cheese plate. Inside has a Fifties feel, mixing the industrial with the whimsical, and it’s a great way to round out a day of shopping.
COMMON COUNTER
Glasshouse, on the corner of Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Road is home to multimedia events space The Commons, bookshop cafe The Common Press, and bar Common Counter. The bar menu features serves that reference queer figures and queer history, including the Dance of the Forty One (mezcal, vermouth, nitro cold brew, xocolatl syrup & mole bitters), inspired by the 1901 raid on a Mexico City house where a secret drag ball was being held that led to the arrest of 41 men, an incident which has now been reclaimed as a defining moment in Mexican queer culture. The bar is also be stocked with locally sourced spirits, wines from GRAFT and beers from The Queer Brewing Project, and also plays host to everything from voguing dance classes to poetry nights to book club-style discussions
THE SEKFORDE
Once known as the Sekforde Arms, the pub has been made over into The Sekforde, a sleeker boozer but still with those traditional elements – a wood-panelled bar and walls, heavy floral curtains and dimpled windows. Its Clerkenwell location makes it a destination for post-work drinks but it also does a legendary Sunday roast at the weekends. Daily specials are on offer and there’s a classic drinks menu (cask ales on draught and plenty of gins for your G&Ts), a cash-prize pub quiz on Wednesdays and a downstairs events space for gigs, comedy and talks.
SEED LIBRARY
Mr Lyan, aka cocktail maestro Ryan Chetiyawardana, is back in East London (he opened his first bar White Lyan in the neighbourhood back in 2013) with Seed Library. The bar is in the basement of One Hundred Shoreditch and is decked out in warm orange and red upholstery and wood panelling. There’s lo-fi, analogue approach to drinks, taking inspo from classic cocktails and alternative flavours and ingredients, which means drinks like the Curry Leaf Stonefence (using curry leaf to bring out the greener side of white rum), the Perilla Gin & Tonic (using perilla seed to add green and nutty notes to the bitter sweet cocktail) and the Sancho Leaf Martini (adding the floral spice of szechuan leaf to contrast with the cold gin or vodka).
THE TERRACE AT CLARIDGE'S BAR
A Mayfair classic, the sophisticated terrace at Claridge’s Bar is discretely tucked away on Brook Street, behind topiary walls and under a green awning. It’s got a Mediterranean feel, especially in the summer, and a menu to match – we’re talking truffle arancini, cacio e pepe with gnocchi, prosciutto & rocket pizza, and lobster wellington. We suggest you order a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne, the prawn tempura with chilli, carrot and soy dip, and smoked salmon Moscovite cornets with horseradish cream and Oscietra caviar.
ALLPRESS ESPRESSO
Allpress has been roasting coffee for over 30 years and serving their speciality brews in London since 2010 so you can be sure they know how to make a decent brew. They’ve got an espresso bar on Redchurch Street but their Dalston spot is extra special; located inside a restored joiner’s factory it’s got loads of light, space and mid-century vibes. They roast their own coffee in-house at their Dalston site, using a temperature-controlled Hot Air Roaster for their coffee’s signature sweet and smooth taste. And their classic breakfast (eggs and soldiers, avo toast, toast and jam) and lunch (paninis including Salt Beef Russian, Salmon and Celeriac, and Aubergine Farinata) selection is sure to go down well with anyone.
HIDEAWAY
Hideaway is the little, more casual, sister to Ollie Dabbous and Hedonism Wine’s Hide, and when we say casual, we mean that by Mayfair standards. It may be a cafe but it’s a Hide take on a cafe, so expect to choose which beans you want in your coffee, which of Hedonism’s extensive wine list you want to sample and whether you want to add caviar to your dishes. Yep it’s a luxe menu featuring dishes like lobster rolls, mortadella & fontina foccacia sarnies, black truffle & honey pizzas, burrata with blood orange & endive, and tomato on toast with Iberico jamon. The patisserie is excellent too so don’t leave without something sweet – although don’t blame us if you snaffle a whole bag of gianduja madeleines in one go.
THE PRINCESS OF SHOREDITCH
Tucked just off Great Eastern Street, The Princess of Shoreditch is a smart little gastropub. It’s split in two, with the downstairs bar serving elevated snacks and small plates (burgers and nachos it ain’t) and a bangin’ Sunday roast and a more formal dining room up top with a modern British a la carte menu, featuring dishes like crispy potato terrine with smoked cod’s roe, Dorset crab crumpet with pickled peaches, beef tartare with truffle custard, Yorkshire lamb rump with green herbs & cauliflower, and lemon, blueberry & bay tart.
From the brains behind Natty Boy Wines, Dan’s Wine Bar is a bar and shop that offers a jolly 600+ wines (that’s everything on the Natty Boy site for a £15 corkage fee) ranging from the low intervention, sustainable naturals to mature classics and more. With monthly tastings and a by the glass menu that rotates weekly, you’re not gonna get bored. It’s all served in the bar’s comfortable, communal space with chill vibes and there’s small plates on offer too, including cheese and bread provided by Jumi in Newington Green.