Get in quick before they blow up
London may still have a way to go to becoming a truly late-night city – most pubs shut at 11 and it can be hard work getting a drink later than that – but you can’t say that the bar scene here is boring. From beloved old dives to world-renowned cocktail bars, the city certainly has the variety, and there are new places opening, often without any fanfare, all the time. We don’t want you going thirsty, so these are the new bars that you’ll want to be hitting this summer.
Waltz
Gento Torigata, who’s been behind the bar at establishments like Jigger & Pony in Singapore and Kwant in London, has gone out on his own with Waltz in Shoreditch. Named after Bill Evans’ jazz album Waltz for Debby (so yes, expect to hear jazz over the speakers), the 12-seater bar is inspired by jazz and nature, with a menu split across seasonal and evergreen serves. Drinks include the Strawmatoe (Nutbourne tomatoes, Haku vodka, katsuobushi and gochujang), the White Asparagus and Fresh Peas (mezcal, white asparagus vodka, pisco and lemon), and the Tokyo Turnip (salt-pickled turnip, Roku gin, house-made tonic and soda). You can even get Marmite pinwheels to snack on too.
28 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4RP
waltzbar.uk
Ellie’s
If you’ve been down the stretch of Kingsland Road between Haggerston and Dalston Junction recently, you may have seen a green neon glow around the one of the bars. That’s Ellie’s, which has taken over the spot where Pamela’s used to be and which is serving £8 martinis all day and all night.
428 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AA
@elliesbar_
Blinds
Hackney Road is getting another wine bar in the shape of Blinds. Billed as a “groovy new wine bar”, Blinds is being opened by a trio of founders, including Arthur Gomez, who has been at Hedonism’s The White Horse in Mayfair and has done wine lists for a number of Michelin-starred restaurants. Expect a rotating selection of natural wines and small plates, like handmade pies, burrata, ham, and paté en croûte.
279 Hackney Road, London E2 8NA
@blinds.ldn
Le Regret
We were sad to see Dina shut up shop in Leytonstone but the space isn’t remaining wine-less for long as new bar Le Regret is taking over the site. It’s billed as a ‘lively drinking den, café and bottle shop’ and from the name and the wine-drinking pig logo, we’re expecting some great French bottles.
289 High Road, Leytonstone, London, E11 4HH
@leregret_bar
All My Gods
Bethnal Green is getting a new dive bar this summer in the shape of All My Gods. The brainchild of burlesque performer and tattoo artist Roxy Velvet and the team behind Dram in Soho, All My Gods will serve tapped cocktails and beers and hard seltzer cans from vending machines. Expect an alternative look, with 90s skater kid-inspired bathrooms, matte black walls, and murals dedicated to Roxy’s tattoo designs and British rock.
Opens July 2025
253 Paradise Row, London, E2 9LE
allmygodsbar.co.uk
Table at 464
After doing pop-ups and residencies, the team behind nomadic restaurant Embers has opened Table at 464 on Kingsland Road. The wine bar offers a changing list; small plates like BBQ lamb belly with watercress salad and anchovy dressing, broad bean paccheri with lemon, and grilled potatoes with miso and chives; and old school music on the stereo.
464 Kingsland Road, London, E8 4AE
table464.com
Little Fires
Christian Pecoraro, Florian Schulze, and Horacio Sainz, a trio who have experience across hospitality, design, architecture and music, are teaming up to open Mexican bar Little Fires in Shoreditch. The cocktail list, which will feature mezcal, tequila and other agave spirits, is being created in collaboration with the team from Oaxaca bar (also on the World’s 50 Best list) Sabina Sabe. Rodolfo Castellanos, chef-owner of Origen Oaxaca, will be doing the food – think tostadas, elotes and ceviche – and there’ll be a vinyl listening bar downstairs.
Opens Mon 11th July 2025
125 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG
littlefires.bar
