Bars
The 6 Best Bars in Canary Wharf
Skyline rooftops, a floating steakhouse bar, a velvet-lined speakeasy and a Nelson-era riverside pub: the Wharf after the trading floors empty.
In short: our top picks are Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop, SOMA Canary Wharf and Hawksmoor Bar, Wood Wharf. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Canary Wharf used to clear out the second the markets closed, and for years its drinking options ran to chain bars and hotel lobbies. That has quietly changed. Between a serious speakeasy under the DLR, Hawksmoor’s floating bar and a clutch of rooftops with proper London views, the Wharf now holds its own after dark. These are the bars worth riding the Elizabeth line east for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop | Canary Wharf | ££££ |
| SOMA Canary Wharf | Canary Wharf | £££ |
| Hawksmoor Bar, Wood Wharf | Canary Wharf | £££ |
| Humble Grape | Canary Wharf | £££ |
| The Gun | Canary Wharf | ££ |
| The Parlour | Canary Wharf | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop
Why we pick itUp near the top of the Novotel, the 39 rooftop terrace hands you a 360-degree sweep of the Thames and the City over a well-made Negroni.
rooftop cocktail bar
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SOMA Canary Wharf
Why we pick itTucked under the DLR on North Dock, this etched-steel bar pours seasonal cocktails and off-menu classics, with a plush red velvet back room for groups.
speakeasy cocktail bar
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Hawksmoor Bar, Wood Wharf
Why we pick itHawksmoor's bar sits in a floating timber pavilion over the dock, so you sip a Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew in plush booths right at the waterline.
waterside cocktail bar
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Humble Grape
Why we pick itMore than 500 artisan and small-grower wines line the wall, dozens open by the glass, on a dockside terrace at Mackenzie Walk that fills early.
natural wine bar
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The Gun
Why we pick itA Grade II-listed pub where Nelson reputedly met Lady Hamilton; drink Fuller's ales on the covered terrace with the O2 framed across the river.
historic riverside pub
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The Parlour
Why we pick itDrake & Morgan's wood-panelled lounge in Park Pavilion runs from morning coffee to late cocktails, with a moodier wine-bar corner off to one side.
all-day cocktail lounge
Before you book
Canary Wharf and Canary Wharf Elizabeth line stations sit minutes from almost everything here; the Gun is a longer walk or a quick cab toward Blackwall. Book rooftops like Bokan and weekend tables at SOMA ahead, but Humble Grape and the Hawksmoor bar usually take walk-ins early evening. Thursday and Friday after 6pm is when it fills with the after-work crowd, so come earlier for a seat.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop is our editor's choice: Up near the top of the Novotel, the 39 rooftop terrace hands you a 360-degree sweep of the Thames and the City over a well-made Negroni. Bōkan 38 Bar & 39 Rooftop, SOMA Canary Wharf and Hawksmoor Bar, Wood Wharf lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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