London's Best Hidden Speakeasy Bars in W1
The best hidden speakeasy bars in W1 reward anyone willing to look past an unmarked door or a deli counter: behind them sit some of the most atmospheric cocktail rooms in London. This is a shortlist of real, currently-trading speakeasy-style bars inside the W1 postcode, across Soho and Mayfair, with a note on how to find each one and what the night is like once you are in. These places are small and popular, so book ahead where you can and check opening before you set out.
Hidden bars in Soho
Cahoots, Kingly Court
Down a staircase off Kingly Court, Cahoots recreates a 1940s London Underground station, complete with a decommissioned tube carriage to drink in and a "Ticket Hall" bar. It is theatrical, wartime-themed and huge fun, with staff in period dress and cocktails to match. One of the most immersive nights in Soho, and one of the easiest speakeasies to bring a group to. Book well ahead, especially at weekends.
Bar Lina, Brewer Street
The mint-green Lina Stores deli on the corner of Brewer Street is a Soho landmark, and beneath it hides Bar Lina, a late-night Italian cocktail den with deep burgundy walls, bar snacks and an all-Italian drinks list. You slip downstairs from the daytime deli into a warm, low-lit room that feels a world away from the street above. A stylish, grown-up choice for a nightcap.
The Vault at Milroy's, Greek Street
Milroy's of Soho is one of London's oldest whisky shops, and at the back a hidden door leads down to The Vault, a snug cellar bar. It is the pick for whisky lovers and anyone who enjoys the ritual of a concealed entrance, with expert bartenders and a serious spirits selection in a genuinely tucked-away room.
SOMA Soho, Denman Street
From the team behind the Indian restaurant Kricket, SOMA is a sleek basement bar on Denman Street serving inventive, subcontinent-inspired cocktails such as a chaat margarita. Minimalist and moody rather than kitsch, it is the more contemporary end of the Soho speakeasy scene and a favourite for a considered cocktail before or after dinner.
Mayfair speakeasies
The Luggage Room, Grosvenor Square
Hidden just off Grosvenor Square inside the London Marriott Hotel, The Luggage Room takes its cue from a 1920s baggage store: you find the discreet entrance, and the door opens onto an elegant jazz-age cocktail lounge. Polished, intimate and classically Mayfair, it is ideal for a smart evening of well-made classics without a members' door in the way.
Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration, Bruton Lane
On Bruton Lane in Mayfair, this outpost of the Mr Fogg's family is styled as a Victorian explorer's cabinet of curiosities, crammed with maps, taxidermy and antiques. The cocktails are theatrical and the atmosphere playful, making it a memorable, story-book speakeasy in the heart of Mayfair. Reserve ahead, as the small rooms fill quickly.
How to do a W1 speakeasy night
A few habits make these hidden bars go smoothly. Book a table in advance wherever the venue allows it, especially Thursday to Saturday, because the rooms are small and walk-in space is limited. Check the entrance details before you arrive, since half the fun, and occasionally the frustration, is finding the door. Many of these bars have a smart-casual dress code, so leave the trainers and sportswear at home. And because they cluster in Soho and Mayfair, it is easy to pair one with dinner nearby or roll from one to the next across an evening.
Explore more of W1
This sits alongside our wider drinking guides. For more, see the best cocktail bars in Soho and the best bars and nightlife in W1, or head back to the W1 London homepage.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best speakeasy bars in W1 London? Standouts inside the W1 postcode include Cahoots and Bar Lina in Soho, The Vault at Milroy's and SOMA Soho, and The Luggage Room and Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration in Mayfair. Each is a genuine hidden or speakeasy-style bar, so book ahead and check the entrance before you go.
Do you need to book a speakeasy bar in London? For the popular ones, yes. Cahoots, The Luggage Room and Mr Fogg's all take bookings and their small rooms fill fast, particularly Thursday to Saturday. Some keep a little space for walk-ins, but a reservation is the safest way to guarantee a table.
What is the difference between a speakeasy and a cocktail bar? A speakeasy borrows the look and feel of Prohibition-era hidden bars: an unmarked or disguised entrance, a concealed room and a focus on well-made cocktails. Many modern London speakeasies are more about atmosphere and theatre than true secrecy, but the hidden entrance and intimate room are the hallmark.
Is there a dress code at W1 speakeasy bars? Most lean smart-casual, and a few of the Mayfair venues are dressier. Trainers and sportswear can be turned away at the smarter rooms, so it is worth dressing up a little. Check the individual bar's policy when you book.
How much is a cocktail at a W1 speakeasy? Expect roughly £14 to £20 for a cocktail at these venues, in line with premium Soho and Mayfair bars. You are paying for the setting and the craft as much as the drink, so they sit at the higher end of the central London range.