Bars
The 6 Best Bars in Spitalfields
Where the old market meets late-night London: speakeasies behind fridge doors, a world-ranked basement and a rooftop above the City.
In short: our top picks are Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar, Discount Suit Company and The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Spitalfields drinks better than its size suggests, packing world-ranked cocktail rooms, hidden basements and a proper market rooftop into a few cobbled streets. The old Victorian market gives it a different texture from neighbouring Shoreditch; it feels grown-up without going stiff. Most of the best rooms here are underground or behind unmarked doors, which is half the fun. These are the bars worth crossing the City for.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar | Spitalfields | ££££ |
| Discount Suit Company | Spitalfields | £££ |
| The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town | Spitalfields | £££ |
| The Culpeper | Whitechapel | £££ |
| The Gun | Canary Wharf | ££ |
| Alfi | Spitalfields | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar
Why we pick itA leather-boothed basement under the steakhouse, twice named the world's best restaurant cocktail bar; order the Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew.
basement cocktail bar
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Discount Suit Company
Why we pick itA tiny former tailor's store room off Wentworth Street, pouring classically built cocktails to a soundtrack of Northern Soul and rock and roll.
speakeasy cocktail bar
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The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
Why we pick itAsk for the Mayor at the Breakfast Club counter and a Smeg fridge swings open onto a basement of vintage furniture and playful cocktails.
hidden speakeasy bar
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The Culpeper
Why we pick itA corner Victorian pub topped by a woodland rooftop where herbs from the garden go into the drinks and City towers fill the skyline.
rooftop garden bar
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The Gun
Why we pick itA buzzy corner pub beside the market with a strong craft drinks list and a name that nods to the old artillery ground nearby.
characterful pub bar
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Alfi
Why we pick itAn Italian wine room inside the market with one of East London's most interesting natural lists, best worked through over sharing plates.
natural wine bar
Before you book
Liverpool Street is the obvious arrival point, with Shoreditch High Street Overground a short walk north. Book ahead for Hawksmoor’s basement and the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, especially Thursday to Saturday; the Gun and Alfi take walk-ins more readily. The Culpeper rooftop runs spring through summer and fills fast on warm evenings, so go early.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar is our editor's choice: A leather-boothed basement under the steakhouse, twice named the world's best restaurant cocktail bar; order the Shaky Pete's Ginger Brew. Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar, Discount Suit Company and The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town 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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