The Best Bars in Shoreditch

Seed Library is a lowkey, casual spot. It’s the perfect place for chatting the night away. The drinks keep the buzz going, but without the chaos that every London night out somehow ends with.

But don’t worry, if you’re after more of that get-up-and-boogie vibe, they’ve got DJ sets on Fridays and Saturdays. We loved it here because the music catered to all moods. They’ve got chilled jazz vinyls that set the scene for those inevitable deep chats, as well as livelier beats when you’re ready to move.

Our favourite cocktail of the night (and trust us, many were sampled) had to be the Pink and Green Daiquiri. Rum-based with the freshest grape flavour. Perfect for when you wine-lovers feel like branching out for once.

Have to try: Pink and green daiquiri
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2:  £60–£70

Honestly, this might sound a little embarrassing, but our favourite thing about Old Street Records is that it just makes you look cool. Effortlessly cool. You don’t even have to try. It’s lively no matter what time you go.  Even when the room isn’t full (which is rare), it still feels buzzing.

Happy Hour runs from 5–8, and it’s the perfect warm-up for the fun, high-energy live music they’ve got going on most nights. We loved the mango and passion fruit daiquiri — especially in summer. It’s dangerously good, tasting more like a smoothie than a cocktail. We got there at 6, squeezed in two of those (plus a Pineapple Picante), and that was more than enough to get us buzzing without rinsing our wallets. Even better — that’s just in time for the live band to start.

And randomly… the pizza here is unreal. Honestly, some of the freshest we’ve had. Go for the classic Margherita — it hits the spot. Bonus, it means you don’t have to leave to grab food (because trust us, you won’t want to lose your spot).

Have to try: Mango and passion fruit daiquiri and margherita pizza
Perfect for: Live music and dancing
Approx price for 2: £50–£60

Callooh Callay has one of the most creative, playful menus we’ve seen — and the design of the place is just as fun! Naturally, we wanted to get adventurous with our drinks because honestly, how many times can you order a Pornstar Martini?

We kicked off with the Coriander and Lime Daisy — tequila, mango chutney verdita, and scotch bonnet. Brave, we know. But if you’re into spicy cocktails, this one’s a total winner. Then we swung to the opposite end of the spectrum and tried the White Chocolate and Coffee Negroni. Dessert in a glass, and definitely more universally palatable than the spicy Daisy!

There was so much more we wanted to try, but as you know, London’s “spenny life” means you eventually have to call it a night. The music is fun in the background, making this the perfect spot for celebrating special occasions.

Have to try: White chocolate and coffee negroni
Perfect for: Special Occasions
Approx price for 2: £70–£80

The inside of Nightjar feels bougie, classy, and just a little dangerous. It’s giving serious underground speakeasy vibes – a refreshing change from the typical, garish bar scene.

The cocktail menu is practically a history lesson, guiding you through both the classics and modern creations. We went for the Pantapal — and yes, get your phones out for this one. Gin, fresh guava, and coconut liqueur combine into a drink that tastes as good as it sounds.

Every night they have live music, which we absolutely love. Unlike some places that make it super exclusive months in advance, here you’re guaranteed a great set every night. Jazz, swing, and blues fill the room, making it the perfect spot to chat away or just sit back, sip, and appreciate truly good music.

Have to try: Night Jar Signature Cocktails
Perfect for: Live music
Approx price for 2: £80–£90

The Blues Kitchen has to win it for range. Honestly, the food, drinks, music, and vibe are all equally impressive — they don’t sacrifice one for the other, which we love. We went on a Tuesday and, little did we know, it was famously Tequila Tuesday. Six-pound margaritas while your ears are blessed with seriously talented R&B and jazz musicians? Greatest surprise, honestly.

Our favourite had to be the Tequila Colada — coconut rum and pineapple combine into a tropical delight, a refreshing change from the usual.

Yes, yes, we know — this is a bar guide, but we can’t skip the food. You simply have to try the buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese dip. It’s the perfect drinking accompaniment! And if you don’t get it but see someone else with it… let’s just say you’ll have sleepless, regret-filled nights.

Have to try: Tequila Tuesdays
Perfect for: Good drinks and good food
Approx price for 2: £55–£65

The interior of Happiness Forget is sleek and simple, with mellow lighting that nails those ultimate speakeasy vibes.

Our favourite cocktail had to be the Tokyo Collins, a fun twist on the classic. Gin, yuzu sake for extra buzz and depth, with grapefruit and lemon. It sounds like it would be painfully tart, but honestly, it’s just perfection.

This is the perfect spot for date nights or catch-ups because you can actually hear each other, and the chaos factor is very low. PS — totally random, but the sourdough here slaps after a few too many drinks.

Have to try: Tokyo Collins
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £50–£60

Nikki’s Bar is casual, fun, and a total vibe. If speakeasies and underground bars aren’t your thing, this one’s for you — it couldn’t be more opposite. Vibrant neon lights everywhere, 80s-themed music blasting… there’s nothing undercover about it.

The cocktails here are as whacky as the décor. We went for the Girl on Fire: raspberry rum, passion fruit purée, apple juice, and a Campari top. Fruity, boozy, and delicious. And, let’s be real, it’s the kind of place where shots inevitably make an appearance.

They’re famous for their Saturday day raves. For just under £30, you can dance from day into night with bottomless selected drinks — a pretty good deal in our eyes.

Have to try: Nikki’s Day Raves
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £40–£50

Honestly, stepping into Tonight Josephine feels like a fever dream. Any part of you that was thinking “maybe we should just go to bed” is immediately snapped back into action by the vibrant neon lights flashing all around the place.

We kicked things off with the “My Milkshake” cocktail. An… interesting choice to start with, we’ll say that for free. Practically a dessert in a glass, so you might need a little breather after this one — but trust us, it’s worth it. Strawberry cream tequila, strawberry purée, fresh strawberry, vanilla, and whipped cream. Want to guess what it tasted like? Yep — strawberries. Dangerous, honestly.

They’re famous for their bottomless brunches. While we haven’t been, we’ve heard they get absolutely wild. Always themed, it’s the perfect excuse to get dressed up for no actual reason at all.

Have to try: Themed bottomless brunch
Perfect for: Fun with the girls
Approx price for 2: £60–£70

Okay, yes — Cottons is technically a restaurant. But we just went for drinks, and the vibes basically make it feel like a bar anyway. So you’re still getting what you came here for… plus the added bonus that when the drinks hit and you start craving something salty, you’ve got fresh Caribbean food right there. No moving required.

You’re in a Caribbean joint, so it would practically be rude not to start with the Rum Punch. Let’s just say you’ll feel it instantly. After that, honestly, close your eyes and pick. Every drink we tried was fruity, delicious, and dangerously easy to sip.

The music is always blasting, so you absolutely get those bar vibes, and no one’s stopping you from dancing. Trust us, it happens.

We recommend going for some light bites to keep yourself (and everyone else) standing. The jerk chicken spring rolls and the chilli and garlic prawns? Heavenly.

Have to try: Jerk chicken spring rolls and rum punch
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2:  £55–£65  (drinks + light bites)

We’re bringing the chaos down a notch with Mikkeller Bar, which is super casual and relaxed. If you want something more than a pub vibe, but less than a wild London night out, this is definitely the spot.

If beer isn’t your thing, you might want to keep reading… we may have lost a few of you here. But for true beer lovers, this place is a dream. They specialise in top-quality brews, and while slightly on the pricier side, it’s well worth it if you appreciate craft beer at its finest.

Have to try: Starry Night on tap
Perfect for: Beer lovers
Approx price for 2: £35–£50