THE MARTINI.
classic, dirty, vesper, or gibson, these are the 9 very best martini bars in london
⏺ LYANESS
BOUNDARIES? NEVER HEARD OF THEM
Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr. Lyan) doesn’t do ‘normal’. At Lyaness, the Martini is reimagined through weird and wonderful house-made ingredients like Golden Levantine Gin or Oyster Leaf. It’s experimental, it’s overlooks the Thames, and it’s for the drinker who wants to be surprised. It’s a Martini, but not as you know it. The future of the cocktail.
Southwark
lyaness.com
photos from @lyanessbar
⏺ THE AMERICAN BAR
A CENTURY OF LIQUID HISTORY
Walking into the American Bar is like stepping onto a movie set from the 1920s. As the oldest cocktail bar in the UK, they’ve perfected the art of the classic. Their Martini is crisp, clean, and served with a side of live piano music. It’s the ultimate spot to feel like a Golden Age movie star. Timeless, elegant, and totally iconic.
Mayfair
thestaffordlondon.com
photos from @thestaffordlondon
⏺ SATAN’S WHISKERS
HIP-HOP AND HIGH-END GIN
Don’t let the taxidermy and the East London dive-bar vibe fool you, this place is world-class. With a legendary hip-hop soundtrack and a menu that changes daily, their Martini is the definition of ‘sharp’. It is unpretentious excellence in a chilled coupe. If you want a perfect drink without the Mayfair price tag or the stuffy suit, this is your spot. Killer vibes, better drinks.
Bethnal Green
satanswhiskers.com
photos from @satans_whiskers
⏺ HENSON’S
SOHO’S BEST-KEPT BOUDOIR SECRET
Tucked inside Mimi’s Hotel, Henson’s feels like a velvet-clad secret. It’s dark, intimate, and perfect for a date that you want to impress without looking like you’re trying too hard. Their Martinis are classically styled but served with a heavy dose of Soho soul. It’s the kind of place you go for ‘just one’ and emerge five hours later. Decadence in a glass.
Soho
hensonsbar.com
photos from @hensonsbar
⏺ THREE SHEETS
METICULOUS, CLEAN, AND COOL
The Venning brothers are the kings of ‘less is more’. Their Dalston outpost is tiny, but the flavours are massive. They specialise in pre-batched, clarified, and carbonated masterpieces, but their classic Martini is a lesson in restraint. It’s served at a temperature that could freeze time, with zero fuss and maximum impact. Welcome to the neighbourhood bar of your dreams.
Dalston
threesheets-bar.com
photos from @threesheetsbars
THE LONDON 100 WINNER / BEST MARTINI
⏺ TAYĒR + ELEMENTARY
THE LEGENDARY “ONE-SIP” WONDER
This isn't your grandfather’s martini. Step past the casual Elementary front and into Tayēr for the One Sip Martini. It’s tiny, frozen, and perfectly balanced with fino sherry. The real kicker? The blue cheese stuffed olive that hits like a savoury bomb at the finish. It’s minimalist, scientific, and utterly addictive. Science has never tasted better.
NO RES
Old Street
tayer-elementary.com
photos from @tayer_elementary
⏺ SWIFT
SOHO’S SHARPEST, QUICKEST POUR
Swift is a tale of two halves. Upstairs is for a quick Sgroppino, but you’re heading downstairs to the moody, wood-clad basement for the heavy hitters. Their Martinis are dangerously drinkable and served with that quintessential Soho buzz. It’s fast-paced, award-winning, and always feels like the start of a very long night. This place is a Soho stalwart for a reason.
Soho
barswift.com
photos from @swiftbars
⏺ DUKES BAR
TWO IS THE LIMIT
The place that inspired Ian Fleming is no joke. There’s no shaking or stirring here - they pour the gin frozen and direct. It’s essentially a glass of ice-cold jet fuel with a twist of Amalfi lemon. The "two-drink limit" isn't a suggestion, it's a survival guide. It’s old-school, wood-paneled, and legendary. Bond’s favorite for a reason.
NO RES
Mayfair
dukeshotel.com
photos from @instagram
⏺ CONNAUGHT BAR
THE UNDISPUTED GOLD STANDARD
If you want to see a Masterclass in mixology, pull up a chair and wait for the trolley. The Connaught doesn’t just make a drink, they perform a ritual. White-gloved service, a choice of bespoke bitters (go for the Dr. Ago), and a pour so high it defies gravity. It’s expensive, it’s sleek, and it’s arguably the best bar on the planet. Pure, liquid luxury.
NO RES
Mayfair
the-connaught.co.uk
photos from @theconnaught