Bars
The 5 Best Bars in Shoreditch
East London after dark: the cocktail dens, natural-wine rooms and rooftops that define Shoreditch.
In short: our top picks are Nightjar, Callooh Callay and Happiness Forgets. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Shoreditch practically invented the modern London night out, and it still drinks better than almost anywhere east. Between world-ranked cocktail bars, natural-wine rooms and rooftops, this is a neighbourhood made for a crawl. These are the bars worth heading east for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nightjar | Shoreditch | £££ |
| Callooh Callay | Shoreditch | £££ |
| Happiness Forgets | Hoxton | £££ |
| Three Sheets | Dalston | £££ |
| Discount Suit Company | Spitalfields | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Nightjar
Why we pick itLive jazz and theatrical cocktails in a basement; book ahead and settle in for the night.
Worth knowingA cover charge after 8pm, mid-teens drink prices and booking-only seating add real friction, and the speakeasy format is no longer novel.
-
Callooh Callay
Why we pick itA whimsical, award-laden cocktail bar with hidden rooms; playful and properly good.
Worth knowingSkip it if you find theming tiresome
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Happiness Forgets
Why we pick itA tiny, dimly lit basement with a cult reputation; short menu, faultless drinks.
Worth knowingSkip it if you need a big table or daylight
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Three Sheets
Why we pick itA pared-back room from two brothers obsessed with detail; some of the best cocktails in London.
Worth knowingSkip it if you want a big room or a big group
-
Discount Suit Company
Why we pick itA snug basement bar in a former tailor's stockroom; brilliant drinks just off Brick Lane.
Before you book
Shoreditch is dense, so plan a route and walk between rooms; the best of it is the streets in between. Book the famous cocktail bars and walk in to the wine spots. And pace yourself; this is a quarter that tempts you to one more, several times over.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Nightjar is our editor's choice: Live jazz and theatrical cocktails in a basement; book ahead and settle in for the night. Nightjar, Callooh Callay and Happiness Forgets lead the guide, with 5 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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