London Bars: 10 Best happy hour deals in London
We’ve given you our recommendations for 10 great London pubs, now we’re sharing our favorite bars and clubs that host fantastic happy hours in London – whether your drink of choice is beer, wine, spirits or cocktails.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that these are also great places to let your hair down and have a good time. With prices far cheaper than the average London bar tab, these venues are definitely worth celebrating.
Is it happy hour yet?
1. Simmons
Several locations around London
Not a happy hour but a happy FIVE hours is the norm in this chain of bars. You can find them in locations around London including Soho, Kings Cross, Fitzrovia and Camden. All the bars benefit from the eclectic decor, mixing kitsch toys, neon signs, and granny-style light shades. That style is reflected in the drinks too, and they even serve cocktails in teapots (for £15 during happy hour).
The times for the Happy Hours vary between venue – check their website for details – but offers include spirit and mixer or a glass of wine for £2.50 (perfect for those who prefer more a conventional drinking receptacle!).
2. Be at One
Several locations around London
Another chain of bars that prides itself on its happy hour, Be At One has locations in central London including Camden and Covent Garden. Again, the time of their happy hours varies between venues, but usually spans a couple of hours every night, including the weekend.
You’ll find a two-for-one on their extensive cocktail menu, which includes all the classics as well as some more unusual numbers such as the “Swedish Death Nettle”. The bars share a fun, party atmosphere, while some — including the Covent Garden Russell Street branch — have a late license.
3. London Cocktail Club
Several locations around London
Describing themselves as “a serious drinkers party bar”, this is another cocktail chain. There are branches in Goodge Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Oxford Circus, Islington, and Bethnal Green.
LCC serves up some truly imaginative cocktails, served in equally inventive ways — fancy a bacon and egg martini, served with a garnish of real bacon? It’ll taste even better when bought as part of the 2 for £12 happy hour deal. Times vary between venues so check their site for details.
4. Cafe Kick & Bar Kick
Leave behind the cocktails for just for a bit (although they do serve them too), and step into one of the two branches of these Soccer-themed bars. It takes its cue from European bars, rather than British pubs, offering bottles of European beers, wine, and the opportunity to play your own game of foosball (known as ‘table football’ across the pond).
Their happy hour runs from 4 pm to 7 pm every day, when you can buy a bottle of house beer for £2. At Bar Kick, you can also pick up a bottle of the house wine for only £12.
5. Barrio
Four locations in London: Angel, Soho, Shoreditch & Brixton
Also on a global theme are the Barrio bars that can be found in Angel, Soho, Shoreditch, and Brixton, offering a colorful and kitsch take on South American style.
Their “Amigo Hours” are the time to really become friendly with their drinks menu. Running all day Sunday and Monday, and until 8 pm (9 pm in Brixton) from Tuesday to Saturday, they offer £5.50 select cocktails, while you can pick up a selection of beers for £3.50 a bottle.
6. Slim Jims
112 Upper Street, Islington
Tube: Angel
Okay, it might not be why you wanted to visit Europe, but Slim Jims aims to offer a taste of the States in the heart of London. They have a big love of whiskey, liquor, and rock n roll.
There’s regular live music, but one of the attractions has to be their happy hour, running from 4 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday to Friday, and until 10 pm on Sundays and Mondays. The deal? 2-for-1 cocktails!
7. Joe’s Southern Kitchen
34 King St, Covent Garden
Tube: Leicester Square or Covent Garden Station
Another British take on the States, Joe’s serves up generous portions of fried chicken, pulled pork, mac n’ cheese and the like. They’re also generous with their happy hours at their bar — running all day Sunday and from 4 pm until 6.30 pm on Monday to Friday — where selected cocktails are just £4.
It’s also well worth checking if their downstairs “Cocktail Baby” space is open. Not only does it play a great mix of disco, soul, and house music, it’s £5 for cocktails from Thursday to Saturday.
8. The Drunken Monkey
222 Shoreditch High St, Shoreditch
Tube: Liverpool Street
Head to The Drunken Monkey (just down the road from Bar Kick) for dim sum and cocktails. It’s a cool space, decorated in rich red with kitsch touches and a DJ playing funk, house and soul, with even cooler happy hour offers.
Running from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday to Friday, and from 12 pm until 7 pm and all day Sunday, you can buy four beers for £10. There’s a selection of cocktails available for £5 each too, from classics such as the Shanghai Sling and Mojito to their own inventions such as Monkey’s Strawberry Lemonade, a refreshing but potent mix of vodka, crème de fraise, strawberries, and citrus juice.
9. The Roxy
3-5 Rathbone Pl, Fitzrovia
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Station
This basement bar and club just near Tottenham Court Road is a popular spot for an evening out, open until late every night except Sunday and playing a wide range of music, from indie through to chart pop.
There are plenty of promotions that will make you want to stay out late — each weekday the happy runs from 5 pm until 8.30 pm, and on Saturday it’s between 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm. There’s a wide range of drinks included, including half price cocktail pitchers and bottles of house wine. In addition, Monday to Wednesday brings a 2-for-1 on cocktails.
10. The Old School Yard
111 Long Lane, London Bridge
Tube: Borough
This charmingly scruffy around the edges bar is inspired by your school days — they’ve even got lockers! However, it’s probably a lot more fun than your school days ever were, with video games, a karaoke booth, and plenty of cocktails.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, the happy hour runs from 5:30 pm until 8 pm. Enjoy two beers for £5 or cocktails for £4.50 each, to a soundtrack of suitably retro hits.
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