One of my favourite things about London is the never-ending list of restaurants, bars, and pubs to try. To help you make your way through London's best bars for young people, I've compiled a list of my personal favourites:
For the Gram:
1) Bar Elba, Waterloo
This is a classic: it's 21+ only, on a rooftop, and offers a free drink on subscription - what's not to love?
2) Pergola, Paddington
I've only been here once, but despite the trek to get here, I'd definitely recommend it. This venue is very aesthetically-pleasing, with greenery, fairy lights, and block colours everywhere, and the food here is delicious (I'd specifically recommend the Babek Box).
3) Lost in Brixton, Brixton
This bar has quickly become a favourite for similar reasons as the aforementioned two, but it's not hard to see why. The cocktails are good, it's easy to get to, and if you get peckish, Pop Brixton is just next door for a more chilled vibe.
For the Experience:
4) Vagabond Wines, Multiple
If you want to try a new wine without buying the whole bottle, this is the place for you. Here you can try over 100 different bottles of wine by the glass so you can feel fancy without paying the price.
5) Bussey Building, Peckham
The sunsets here in Summer are glorious, but my favourite thing about Bussey Building is the 'Rooftop Film Club' they hold throughout Summer, where you can watch an open-air film under a blanket with popcorn and ice cream, followed by a killer cocktail. I watched Rocketman here in 2019 and loved the experience.
For the View:
6) Aqua Shard, London Bridge
It's undeniable that the Shard offers one of the best views of London - but instead of paying astronomical prices for a single view, the trick is to go to their bar, Aqua Shard, and instead pay less for both a drink and the view.
7) Sky Garden, City of London
If you want to have a drink whilst feeling more classy, this is the place for you. People tend to dress up here and the views from the Sky Garden are some of my favourite in London. There's also a dance floor, but be warned: the music ends fairly early.
8) Madison, City of London
This bar is right by St Paul's in the City and offers a beautiful view with a nice ambience. This is a classic for young professionals in London, and definitely lives up to the hype.
For the Memories:
9) Frank's Cafe, Peckham
For me, this is London's OG rooftop bar. It can be a bit hard to find if you've never been and it closes over Winter, but if you time it right, you can catch a great sunset from here, and it's worth the endless stairs for those iconic pink walls.
10) Cubana, Waterloo
Objectively, Cubana probably isn't considered one of London's finest bars. However, Cubana was one of the first bars I ever went to in London and I have a lot of memories here. There's a reason this bar is always packed, and that reason is: happy hour. Be sure to arrive early to be able to grab a table, and enjoy.
To find new bars in London, I'd strongly recommend downloading the app Dusk, as it shows many bars across the city, and it lets you know which bars offer free drinks, which are aesthetically-pleasing, and where the rooftops are. This app is an essential for any young Londoners who like a drink.
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