Fords Gin founder Simon Ford sounds off on his beloved city’s top bars, clubs, and late-night hangouts.
To knowLondonnightlife is to eff it . The gargantuan , ever - evolve large Smoke cognise how to party , as evidenced in its expansive patchwork quilt of bar , clubs , andlive euphony locus . And it ’s far from a monoculture . Any give night could see you bounce from arowdy football pubto a world - renowned martini bar to a showy after - hours nightspot that keeps the beats bumping well into the wee hours — accord you may roll with the attire code .
“ London is a hotbed of artistry , mode , and music , as well as diverse and international — The energy from that has always cheer one of the most originative and vibrant nightlifes in the world , ” says Simon Ford , co - founder of celebrated gin brandFords Ginand longtime Londoner . “ Modern cocktail culture manifest into the hottest bars and cabaret in the late ‘ XC , andLondon has been at the vanguard of cocktailsever since , giving birth to some of the most influential bars and bartenders of the last 35 years . ”
It ’s no wonder that London blame up no less than nine post on this year’sWorld ’s 50 Best Bars list , let in two in the top 10 . From historic pint drug dealer to cutting - edge cocktail hideout and everything in between , this batting order represents the best places to let on the loose when in Londontown , grant to Ford and his discerning palate .
Photo courtesy of Side Hustle
The George
Southwark“It ’s as if this public house sleep together on the dot what I like , ” says Ford of his current favorite London gastropub . And he ’s not alone — the freehanded landmark has been a Southwark fixing since the 18th century for a understanding . “ They have a Scotch Egg to die for , an first-class choice of English wines , keen cocktails , and pour a very good pint of Guinness . ”
Side Hustle
Covent GardenNestled inside the 19th - century Magistrates ’ Court turned radical - chic NoMad Hotel ’s former police station , this far-out yet cosy haunt buzzes with elan , personality , and forward - thinking libations with an agave - powered twist . “ Within NoMad , there are several choice to drink and eat up that are all with child , but the one I find myself frequenting the most is Side Hustle , which is a Mexican - inspired cake , ” says Ford . “ Its Tequila chain is special , their cocktails are near stark , and they have managed to make guests feel casual in what is a luxuriousness environment . ”
Lyaness Bar
SouthbankAnother swank hotel cake — a genre that London has historically dominated — this contribution from acclaimed mixologist and originative mastermind Ryan Chetiyawardana impresses with a narrative - driven roll of mixture forge to make even small-scale components beam like the main character .
“ I love encourage people to try new and different things , ” tot Ford . “ Chetiyawardana and his team come up with their own cocktail ingredients with an eye for sustainability , all of which are barbarian , wonderful , and unique . you could feel boom mushroom and tree diagram caramel , bread bitters and burn up pea pods — It ’s certainly one of the craziest sounding menus out there , but these beverage taste fabulous . ”
Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese
West End“Salvatore Calabrese is one of the most famous bartenders in the world , and this bar , his latest , is one of his best , ” says Ford . This Corinthia London hotel freshman from international “ startender ” Salvatore Calabrese ranks among the most exciting London openings in late years . And this stylish venture from the inventor of the Breakfast Martini is definitely one of his most challenging , sporting a Jazz Age theme that touches everything from the plushy velvet mantle to the dapper cocktail carte du jour . As Ford order it , “ The taproom is doing its good to reinvent the ‘ twenty through its plan , live euphony , and the drinks they serve . ”
The Jazz Cafe Camden
Camden TownWith elbow room for some 450 people , this comparatively intimate jazz , soul , blue funk , reggae , and world music venue has long been synonymous with springy music in Camden Town . Ford recommend the recently renovated bi - layer place not only for its systematically prima creative person roster — Jamiroquai , Amy Winehouse , Sun Ra , D’Angelo , Adele , Erykah Badu , Roy Ayers , Bobby Womack , and John Legend have all grace its stage over the past 30 years — but also for the secure food and boozing broadcast served upstairs , which pair suitably global bite like Korean fried chicken and plantain tree tacos with sturdy classic cocktail .
The Connaught Bar
MayfairIn a city hump for its exquisite martinis , any bar worth its vermouth knows just how ferocious the rival can be . But somehow , this refined hotel backbone manage to come out on top yr after twelvemonth , court gin lovers with an impeccable — and luxuriantly striking — made-to-order martini armed service hand over with zest via their theme song martini trolley .
“ The Connaught Bar ’s been at the forefront of cocktail culture and hospitality for the last 15 long time , ” resound Ford . “ Home to bartenders Ago Peronne and Giorgio Bargiani , both of whom have taken home the deed of conveyance of World ’s Best Bartender at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards , they ’re get laid for their theatrical martini service and their power to bring contemporary cocktails to a classic five - star hotel audience . ” And while he confidently urge ordain the martini , he also suggests checking out their adaptation of the Bloody Mary , an innovative spin that ’s been on the menu since day one .
Kwānt
MayfairAnother recent gain to Mayfair ’s tasteful nightlife scene , this dish come from Erik Lorincz , former head barkeeper at the legendaryAmerican Bar at The Savoy Hotel . at heart , the design is soothing , adjoin on ‘ 70s voguish with tropic accent , while the drinks stand steadfastly outside the average cocktail fan ’s comfort zone — in the good way possible . “ This bar feel like an accumulation of a lifetime of ideas get together under one ceiling , ” muses Ford , who ’s a fan of both the boozy transcription and the “ next level ” bar collation . “ The island - style bar allows guests to be a part of the experience , and they latterly launch a food for thought and cocktail tasting carte for those favourable enough to get a seat . ”
Happiness Forgets
Hoxton“The owner of Happiness Forgets , Ali Burgess , rose up the rank and file and earned his stripes at the Pegu Club and Milk and Honey inNew York , and Happiness Forgets most certainly take inspiration from both places , ” Ford says , name - hold in two now - shutter icon of New York ’s cocktail Renascence . And much like the in a heartfelt way part hotspots on Burgess ’s survey , this respected purveyor of Milk River lick , sours , cobblers and martinis is somewhat of an oldie but goodie , having held it down in hipster - oasis Hoxton since 2010 . “ The geezerhood have tot character to the bar , take some dive bar vibes into the mix , which creates a unique ambiance , ” he add together .
HERE at Outernet
West EndThere ’s no denying it : This office is gigantic . Built like a live entertainment megachurch , the multi - tiered space fit 2,000 merrymaker and lays title to the public ’s gravid LED screen , among other pinnacle . But make your way in the belly of the wolf and you ’ll discover more digestible nook hidden within its four subterranean history , each bid a dissimilar taste of London nightlife from DJ - focused order nights to flashy star . And , Ford notes , it ’s all fire by an unnecessarily well appointed crapulence program from drink director Shannon Tebay , who made wave as the first woman to confine the head bartender title at the esteemed American Bar at the Savoy .
Tayēr + Elementary
ShoreditchA coaction between prolific diligence pros Alex Kratena and Monica Berg , this twin - construct beauty has been turning heads with its masterly menu execution and flowing , industrial - tinge design since its 2020 first appearance . “ Elementary is positioned as a modern neighborhood cocktail Browning automatic rifle , while Tayer is a produce - driven cocktail bar that habituate state of the artistic production proficiency to deliver on dim-witted serve cocktail , ” explain Ford . “ If Noma decided to go into cocktail bar , I would imagine them to be a little like this . ”
Sager & Wilde
HackneyA lay - back wine-colored Browning automatic rifle holding its own among a group of A - list nightlife terminus ? Absolutely , says Ford , peculiarly when said wine-colored bar has mastered the art so perfectly . “ It ’s evident from entering that this is a cake construct on passion and love for wine , and by a team that understand undecomposed cocktails and food , ” he explains . “ You really feel like you are get some rightful East London vibes . ”
Trailer Happiness
Notting HillThis Notting Hill jewel has been slinging tiki - inspired favorites out of a cool and colorful place for the last two 10 , establishing itself as the go - to bar for rum - savvy Londoners . “ It ’s been one of my ducky ever since I begin drinking in cocktail bars , ” says Ford , no stranger to the basement hangout ’s impressive 200 - stiff rum list . No point is left unattended in owner Sly Augustin ’s house , from the hand - selected tune playing over the speakers to the playful garnishes , moody lighting , and elaborate presentation . amount for the fine emotional state , remain for the impromptu dancing parties .
Think Outside the Buckingham Box with This London Itinerary
It’s all that and a bag of crisps.
The George Public House
The George Public House
Lyaness
The Jazz Cafe
@kwantmayfair
HERE at Outernet
Sager + Wilde Paradise Row
