From gangster hangouts to detective agencies
Spotlight On: Murder Inc.
What? ‘40s and ‘50s gangster-themed joint
Where? Just off Oxford Street
Why? With a tongue-in-cheek but still sophisticated cocktail menu (think absinthe with champagne), you’ll be able to sip on your drinks amongst the rest of the mob while admiring the retro décor
Cahoots
What? Tube-themed bar that takes you back to the Blitz
Where? Dead in the middle of Soho
Why? Located in an actual air raid shelter, the bar has been stuffed full of weird and wonderful tube-related, WWII and London paraphernalia. Brush up on your Cockney rhyming slang before you go
Nine Lives
What? 1950s California tiki bar transported to south London
Where? London Bridge
Why? Their zero-waste approach to cocktail making is pretty cool, and the drinks taste great - try the Moby Dick, a tropical take on an Old Fashioned with salted caramel
Mr Fogg’s Residence
What? Home of the explorer of Around the World in Eighty Days fame
Where? Mayfair
Why? Interior design features are penny farthings dangling from the ceiling, stuffed animals and over-stuffed armchairs, and of course the famous hot air balloon makes an appearance as well. The cocktails are at least as spectacular as the decoration
Evans and Peel Detective Agency
What? The full-on secret bar experience, with passwords, interrogation, the whole lot
Where? Earls Court
Why? If you really want to act out your speakeasy dreams, this is the place to be, plus, of course the cocktails, and snacks from the in-house smoker