London: Bars
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ALBERT & PEARL
Exemplifying British eccentricity, this quirkily decorated pub is perfect for a pint with a friend. Leave room for some British grub: mushrooms on toast, Welsh rarebit or a pint of prawns being popular choices.
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ANNIES BAR
This unique bar has a “cocktail awareness menu” that lists calories and units in the drinks, a cutting-edge beer cooling system, and maze-like toilets with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. As if the design wasn't impressive enough, the venue also hosts openmic live music nights on on Thursdays and DJs Fridays and Saturdays.
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BABALOU
This intimate cocktail bar in the crypt of the converted St Matthew's retains many original features, and has beautiful North African lamps. Head here for the regular club nights and drinks like QC Stone (whisky, lemon, maraschino liqueur, quince jelly and orange juice).
Address: ST MATTHEW’S CHURCH, BRIXTON HILL. | Tel: +44 (0)20 7738 3366
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CIRCUS
It's rare to have a scantily dressed fire eater gyrate in front of you as you're sipping a cosmopolitan, but Circus isn't just any bar. The venue plays host to nightly performances on a catwalk, which doubles as a large table for diners.
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CLARIDGE'S BAR
As if offering non-alcoholic cocktails, smoothies and organic wheatgrass shots were not enough, this upscale, art-deco bar also has a water menu. Over 30 varieties are available, and good old-fashioned London tap water is, of course, available free of charge.
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COQUINE
Aimed at a fashionable crowd, Coquine bar looks like a futuristic posh living room with its carpeted fl oors and walls and picture frames you can step into.
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GILGAMESH BAR
Named after a Babylonian king, this pan-Asian venue was handdecorated by 10,000 Indian designers. Choose aromatic cocktails made from passion fruit, lychee, elderflower, violet and rose. With moody lighting and music it's guaranteed to seduce all five senses.
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Gilt Champagne Lounge
All that glitters is definitely gilt at this exclusive venue in the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel. Up to 30 drinkers can enjoy 10 Champagnes, such as Louis Roederer Cristal, or the world's most expensive cocktail, Louis XIII cognac and Cuvée Louise Blanc, at £800 (€870) a glass.