• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Truly Experiences Blog

For People Who Collect Memories, Not Things

  • Food & Drink
  • Gifts
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Things To Do
Blog » UK » London » Best London Bars » Top 5 Places for Pre-Dinner Drinks in London
Pre-Dinner Drinks London

Top 5 Places for Pre-Dinner Drinks in London

From ice cold mojitos to smooth single malts, London is a buzz with unique bars. These spaces are widely popular for social interaction and are constantly reinventing themselves to meet contemporary needs. We take a look at the top 5 places for pre-dinner drinks in Central London and their signature drinks.

Mahiki, Mayfair

Transport yourself to Polynesian paradise in the heart of London. Mahiki, set over two floors, is the ultimate destination for the Hawaiian lover. With its tiki décor, delicious fresh fruit cocktails and tropical flowers adorning every bartender’s hair, a night out here is unique in every respect. The bar operates an open-door policy and advanced booking is only taken for table reservations on busy nights.

Signature Drink:The Mahiki Treasure Chest is worth every penny. Served inside a 4 foot treasure chest, this drink is prepared for eight people to share. Mahiki Grog, brandy and peach liqueur is shaken with lime and sugar and topped with a bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne. The original pirate’s booty.

Pink Cocktail

Barts, Kensington

Barts is situated in the elegant Chelsea Cloisters on Sloane Avenue. This quirky speakeasy-style bar offers an extensive wine list and unique cocktail mixes. Open till 1.30am, one can drink here to their heart’s content. The ambiance is cosy and tables are well spaced to give customers a sense of space and privacy.

Signature Drink:Try the Mad Hatter’s Top Hat. Spiced berries, apple juice and Russian Standard vodka come together with freshly cut fruits in a large black top hat. Topped with a whole bottle of prosecco, poured in front of your eyes, this certainly is the piece de resistance at Barts.

  9 of the Best Rooftop Bars London Has to Offer

Hide Bar, London Bridge

An elegant space next to London Bridge tube, Hide Bar is a must-visit for those who like drinks with a flair. Whether you’re after Bond’s Vesper Martini, a Rye Sazerac or a Blood & Sand, the mixologists will be happy to create your favourite drink just the way you like it. The bar also has a collection of cocktail books going back to 1890 if you want to order something off-menu. Each cocktail is then created using unique theatrics. Apples are caramalised before your own eyes, whisky is smoked and absinthe is dripped through a sugar cube. These smooth performances by the mixologists make every drink you order an experience to be savoured from the word go.

Signature Drink:First made in 1922 for the Rudolph Valentino movie premier of the same name, The Blood & Sand Cocktail is a unique offering here. The cocktail consists of Monkey Shoulder Malt Scotch whisky, Cherry Heering, orange juice and Antica Formula.

Cocktails

Skylon Bar, Waterloo

Skylon offers a spectacular panorama of London’s skyline, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Thames. Amid the plethora of bars on the Southbank, Skylon stands out for the quality of its cocktails, an extensive wine list and breathtaking views. The bar thrums to the chatter of friends and colleagues enjoying a drink and the rattle of cocktail shakers. It is especially popular after work and as a meeting-place for concert-goers in the Royal Festival Hall and diners in Skylon’s grill and restaurant. For those with a smaller appetite or who are pressed for time, Helena Puolakka’s innovative Bar Food Menu is just the ticket.

  Merchant House Blog

Signature Drink:The classic ‘Skylon’ cocktail disappoints few. Fresh grapes and ginger is muddled with Ciroc vodka, Pomme liqueur, fresh lime and apple juice and served in a chilled martini glass.

Gin and tonic masterclass for two at Skylon

Dukes Bar, Mayfair

Drinks at Dukes Bar is something of an occasion. The legendary bar is internationally renowned for its famous martinis and personalised cocktails. Frequented by James Bond author Ian Fleming, the bar is said to be the inspiration for the classic line, ‘shaken, not stirred’. So whether you’re relaxing after a meeting or getting together with friends, the intimate and timeless surroundings of Dukes make it an unforgettable experience. Afterwards, customers can retire to the cognac and cigar garden.

Signature Drink:Fleming 89 Martini was introduced to celebrate the link between Dukes and James Bond. Created in partnership with Foris, whose “89” Eau de Cologne was famously worn by James Bond, the flavour and smoothness of the martini make this a drink to remember.

Love bars? Take a look at London’s favourite cocktail, gin, and wine bars… you won’t want to miss them!

Click here to Explore other Drink and tasting experiences

Rae Oliver June 28, 2022

Footer

  • Truly Experiences
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Affiliate Disclosure

We believe in being as transparent as possible when it comes to this site. With this in mind, please be aware that we may receive remuneration for some of the products we review on this site.

Truly Experiences is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk (and other Amazon programs).

We will also list ads from time to time. You should be able to see these as text links or blocks of ads which have a small notation indicating “Ads by Google” or “AdChoices”.

Our mission is to help our visitors, but this is also very clearly a for-profit site and you should realize as much. We include only those products that we believe could benefit you, some of which we may get a commission if you purchase them. However, we also provide links on the site to information resources for which we receive no compensation.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact us using the "contact" option on the site menu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Trademark Dislosure

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In addition, any other trademarks and logos we mention on this site are also the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2023 Truly Experiences

Please be aware that we may receive remuneration if you follow some of the links on this site and purchase products.OkRead More