Fitzrovia is one of the more convenient spots in Central London for after-work drinks, especially if you want something a little more relaxed than Soho.
This guide brings together some of the top cocktail bars in Fitzrovia. The recommended places that are actually worth stopping by after work, whether you’re meeting colleagues or just looking for a well-made drink without the crowd.
Dive bars for casual drinking
After a busy day at the office, sometimes all you need is a round of straightforward, well-made cocktails in an unpretentious setting. These bars provide a practical, low-pressure environment to decompress without the need for formal reservations or strict dress codes.
1. The Cocktail Club
- Location: 4 Great Portland St, Oxford St, London W1W 8QJ, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 16:00 – 23:30 | Thu-Fri: 16:00 – 3:00
- Weekend: 15:00 – 3:00 | 16:00 – 22:30
- Best for: Lively after-work drinks with colleagues
- Must-try item: Mojito Royale, Star Martini and Bloody Mary
- Distance to Gilmoora House: ~4 minutes walk (0.2 miles)
The Cocktail Club is one of Fitzrovia’s more high-energy, social cocktail bars. Here, you can enjoy an electric and contagious atmosphere with loud music, which is very much the point here: it’s built for groups, celebrations, and easy after-work drinks that can turn into a longer evening. There’s also an exclusive room reservation or full venue hire if you want to do something special.
2. The Social
- Location: 5 Little Portland St, London W1W 7JD, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00 – 00:00 / 1:00
- Weekend: Sat: 18:00 – 1:00 | Sun: Closed
- Best for: Casual drinks with a music-driven vibe.
- Must-try item: Classic cocktails.
- Distance to Gilmoora House: ~2 minutes walk (350 ft)
The Social is a good Fitzrovia pick if you want after-work drinks that are not within a classic “serious cocktail bar” scene. Instead, it works as a hybrid bar and music venue, with an intimate upstairs bar and a more energetic basement space for gigs, DJ sets, and events. It has been on Little Portland Street since 1999, which gives it a more local character than many newer openings in the area.
3. The Oxford Market
- Location: 11-13 Market Pl, London W1W 8AH, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 12:00 – 23:00 / 00:00
- Weekend: Fri-Sat: 12:00 – 1:00 | Sun: Closed
- Best for: Grabbing a quick, informal drink before heading to a dinner reservation.
- Must-try item: Millionaire’s Mojito, Lady Godiva, and Negroni Sbagliato
- Distance to Gilmoora House: 5 minutes (0.2 miles).
The Oxford Market is best understood as a hybrid venue: part bar, part restaurant, part social space. It sits just off Oxford Circus in Fitzrovia and is designed to cover multiple use cases – after-work drinks, casual dining, and group events, all in one place. With an all-day to late-night format, The Oxford Market offers both lunch, restaurant menus and alcoholic drinks. It’s easy, unfussy, and ideal when you want drinks without committing to a full-on bar experience.
4. Bar Kinky
- Location: 43 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RS, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 16:00 – 23:30
- Weekend: Thu-Sat: 16:00 – 3:00 | Sun: 16:00 – 22:30
- Best for: A late-night detour for informal industry networking.
- Must-try item: Pisco Sour
- Distance to Gilmoora House: 5 minutes (0.2 miles).
Bar Kinky is a compact basement cocktail bar that leans into a sleek, industrial aesthetic with glowing amber lighting and stainless-steel finishes. The drinks lean experimental, ingredient-led cocktails featuring unexpected elements like jalapeño, roasted leeks or even goat’s cheese, designed more for discovery than familiarity. Open until 3:00 on weekends, it works well for late-night drinks where conversation matters more than music or crowd energy.
Best speakeasy-style cocktail bars
If you are entertaining a client or prefer a quieter environment, Fitzrovia hides several speakeasy-style venues. These bars prioritise craftsmanship and atmosphere, often requiring a bit of local knowledge to find.
5. Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar
- Location: 28 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1JF, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00 – 1:30
- Weekend: Sat: 17:00 – 1:30 | Sun-Mon: Closed
- Best for: Impressing visitors with a distinctly hidden London experience.
- Must-try item: Espresso Martini, Bloody Mary and Pineapple
- Distance to Gilmoora House: 8 minutes (0.4 miles)
Bourne & Hollingsworth Bar has been a cornerstone of London’s speakeasy scene since 2007. Located near Oxford Circus, the venue transitions from a bright, botanical upstairs to an intimate, vintage-inspired basement. This contrast allows guests to start with social after-work drinks before shifting into an energetic, music-led late-night session. Known for its extensive cocktail list and eccentric, “anything-goes” vibe, it strikes a perfect balance between hidden charm and vibrant social energy, ideal for spontaneous nights out that linger.
6. Reverend J W Simpson
- Location: 32 Goodge St, London W1T 2QJ, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00 – 23:30
- Weekend: Fri-Sat: 17:00 – 00:30 | Sun: Closed
- Best for: Cocktail purists interested in spirit-forward, complex recipes.
- Must-try item: Iced tea, Bellini & Banana
- Distance to Gilmoora House: 6 minutes (0.3 miles).
Reverend JW Simpson bar occupies a preserved 1980s flat, retaining its original rooms and intact layout. This speakeasy-style venue gives the space the feel of a private residence, offering an intimate, unpolished atmosphere perfect for meaningful conversations. The seasonal, ingredient-driven cocktail menu is delivered via personalised, seated service, where expert bartenders guide guests based on individual preferences. It is a quiet, storytelling-focused destination, making it an ideal choice for sophisticated date nights and personal catch-ups.
7. Rhum Tavern
- Location: 48 Margaret St, London W1W 8SE, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00–00:00 / 01:00
- Weekend: 17:00–01:00 | Sunday: Closed
- Best for: Rum lovers, cosy evenings
- Must-try item: Rum-based signature cocktails
- Distance to Gilmoora House: ~8 minutes walk
Rhum Tavern, located near Oxford Circus, is a cinematic tribute to 17th-century maritime history. Designed as a pirate ship’s hull, the interior features curved wooden walls and flickering candlelight to create a fully immersive, theatrical atmosphere. Housing over 400 expressions, it is a premier destination for rum enthusiasts, offering everything from rare bottles to masterclasses. Its intimate, slow-paced environment makes it ideal for lingering date nights or small group gatherings rather than a quick stop.
List of lounge cocktail bars
For evenings that require a higher level of polish, lounge bars offer comfortable seating, table service, and a sophisticated crowd. These venues are built for extended stays and significant celebrations.
8. Lucy Wong Cocktail Bar
- Location: 33-34 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1JN, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00 – 00:00/1:00/2:00
- Weekend: Sat: 15:00 – 3:00 | Sun-Mon: Closed
- Best for: A stylish, culturally inspired evening with comfortable lounge seating.
- Must-try item: Whiskey sour and pisco sour
- Distance to Gilmoora House: 7 minutes’ walk (0.3 miles)
Drawing inspiration from 1950s Hong Kong, Lucy Wong features a cinematic interior defined by soft lantern lighting, plush velvet seating, and intimate lounge corners. The cocktail menu celebrates Asian botanicals, highlighting flavours such as lychee, pandan, and yuzu alongside timeless classics.
While weekdays offer a relaxed happy hour from 17:00 to 19:00, the energy shifts after 21:00 as the space transitions into a lively late-night destination characterised by sharing cocktails and a social buzz. It is a venue that manages to be both intimate and spirited, perfect for a quiet date night that evolves into a more vibrant evening.
9. Long Bar
- Location: 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 12:00–00:00 / 01:00
- Weekend: Sat: 12:00–01:00 | Sun: 12:00 – 22:30
- Best for: Pre-dinner drinks, stylish lounging
- Must-try item: Cocktail Trooper, Negroni, Manhattan and Margarita
- Distance to Gilmoora House: ~6 minutes walk (0.3 miles)
Long Bar is a design-led lounge centred around a long illuminated counter located inside the Sanderson Hotel. The interior prioritises comfort and visual elegance over high-energy nightlife, rendering it a prime destination for pre-dinner cocktails or professional catch-ups. Unlike traditional cocktail spots, it opens at midday to accommodate everything from afternoon refreshments to polished evening gatherings. Throughout the day, the atmosphere remains refined and serene, supported by a curated menu that balances timeless classics with lighter, approachable options.
10. Punch Room
- Location: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00–00:30
- Weekend: Sat: 17:00–00:30 | Sun-Mon: Closed
- Best for: Quiet luxury, intimate evenings
- Must-try item: Whiskey sour, Grapefruit, Sake & Northern lights punch
- Distance to Gilmoora House: ~6 minutes walk (0.3 miles)
Punch Room is set within the Edition Hotel near Oxford Circus, built around a 19th-century private club concept, with wood-panelled interiors and low lighting. The focus is on punch bowls designed for sharing, encouraging longer, slower drinking sessions. Compared to other Fitzrovia bars, it offers a refined, understated and intentionally removed from the street outside, making it ideal for quiet conversations, date nights or small private gatherings.
Elevate your workday at Gilmoora House
Choosing Gilmoora House means placing your business at the centre of London’s most dynamic cultural quarter, which offers a wellness workspace. By positioning your team in the heart of Fitzrovia, you provide them with immediate access to exceptional post-work amenities that support team bonding and stress relief.
Why Gilmoora House is the ideal choice for employers and employees:
- Enjoy a prime location: Situated near Oxford Circus, your team can easily transition from a productive workday into the neighbourhood’s premier hospitality venues.
- Access endless amenities: The surrounding area provides an extensive network of restaurants, cafes, and premium bars, naturally supporting employee well-being and a positive work-life balance.
- Utilise premium facilities: We provide bright, curated serviced offices and high-tech meeting rooms designed to support your productivity while offering a professional sanctuary in Central London.
- Receive tailored support: Our dedicated Service Team manages your daily logistics, from mail handling to welcoming guests, ensuring you can focus entirely on your business goals.
Working in Central London offers unparalleled access to inspiration and high-quality lifestyle amenities. By basing your operations in a well-connected neighbourhood like Fitzrovia, you provide your team with an engaging environment that supports both their professional focus and their personal downtime.
Ready to find your new office in London’s best cocktail bar neighbourhood? Contact our Service Team at enquiries@gilmoorahouse.com or call 020 3008 6650 to book your tour today.
