Victoria’s streets are dotted with myriad enchanting venues, from chic cocktail lounges to sophisticated wine restaurants. Each offers a unique ambience and an array of tantalising food and beverages.
In this guide, we’ll lead you to the must-visit spots among all of these, where unforgettable memories are just a sip away. Get ready to explore Victoria’s dynamic bar scene, where every corner holds a new adventure and every glass is a toast to the good times!
The Leopard Bar
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Location: 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PS, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7834 6600
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
The ambience of The Leopard Bar is something out of a high-class movie scene. Imagine sipping on a cocktail surrounded by elegant decor, with a backdrop of live jazz and swing music. It’s like stepping into a different era, where every night feels like a special occasion.
Now, let’s talk about the drinks. The Leopard Bar is renowned for its extensive selection of over 200 whiskies and 30 Champagnes. This vast collection is a dream come true for connoisseurs and casual drinkers alike.
Boisdale of Belgravia
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Location: 15 Eccleston St, London SW1W 9LX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7730 6922
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Boisdale of Belgravia offers a unique blend of traditional Scottish cuisine and live jazz music. Known for its flavorful steaks, whole grilled lobsters, and classic haggis, it appeals to both food connoisseurs and music enthusiasts.
The bar’s vibrant atmosphere is further enhanced by nightly jazz performances, making it a popular spot for those seeking a blend of culinary and musical delights. Its cigar terrace adds an extra touch of luxury, appealing to cigar aficionados.
The Bar and Lounge at the Goring
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Location: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 333 400 6140
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Helmed by expert mixologists and sommeliers, the drink menus read like a curated gallery for your palate. Their martini trolley presents perfect iterations of the iconic cocktail with gins or vodkas paired to your taste – perhaps a refreshing cucumber and lemon-infused Gordon’s?
But for a quintessential Goring treat, order a Singapore Sling: exquisitely blended tropical fruit liqueurs, French brandy and Dom Pérignon champagne. Its balance of sweet and sour in each velvety sip never fails to impress.
Beyond cocktails, oenophiles flock here to explore The Goring’s 500+ labels from renowned Old and New World vineyards. Wine by the glass allows you to sample different varietals, but their Château Lafite Rothschild 1990 remains the crown jewel.
Vic’s Bar at the Park Plaza
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Location: Park Plaza Victoria London, 239 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EQ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 333 400 6140
Pricing: £££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Vic’s Bar is a stone’s throw from iconic London landmarks. Whether you’ve been admiring the regal Buckingham Palace or wandering through the verdant St. James’s Park, Vic’s Bar is perfectly placed for that well-deserved post-sightseeing tipple.
Each cocktail here is a masterpiece, blending premium spirits with fresh, exotic ingredients. Must-try? Their signature cocktail, the “Victoria Royale”, is a mix that captures the essence of London in a glass.
BBar
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Location: 43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7958 7000
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill London bar. Oh no, BBar brings a taste of the Rainbow Nation right to the heart of the city. The décor is a charming blend of chic and quirky, with animal prints and vibrant artwork that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a trendy Johannesburg hotspot.
Now, let’s talk about the main event – the drinks! BBar’s cocktail menu is like a love letter to mixology. Their best seller? It’s definitely the “Elephant on the Thames” – a playful twist on the classic gin and tonic, with a hint of rooibos for that authentic South African touch.
Clubhouse at Artist Residence
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Location: 52 Cambridge St, Pimlico, London SW1V 4QQ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3019 8622
Pricing: ££
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
The Clubhouse is nestled within the quirky and oh-so-cool Artist Residence hotel, making it a destination for those in the know. It’s like stumbling upon Narnia, but instead of a lion, you find a bartender with a knack for mixology.
Their signature cocktail, the “Painter’s Brush,” is a stroke of genius. It’s a blend of artisanal gin, lavender, and a hint of citrus, garnished with an edible flower that looks as good as it tastes.
Market Hall
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Location: 191 Victoria St, London SW1E 5NE, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3773 9359
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
What truly sets Market Hall apart are its extensive culinary offerings. The hall features 11 kitchens and these range from Northern Chinese street food at Baozi Inn to Italian specialities at Nonna Tonda.
The drink selection at Market Hall is equally impressive. With three bars on site, each offering a unique wine list, guests can enjoy a variety of cocktails, draft beers like the popular Fable pale ale, and an assortment of wines starting from £30 at the downstairs bar.
Flight Club
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Location: 6 Sir Simon Milton Sq, London SW1E 5DJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3773 9359
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Flight Club is an enchanting blend of Victorian fairground and British pub, with a dash of Roaring Twenties glamour. This eclectic mix creates a uniquely engaging atmosphere that’s both cosy and exhilarating – a perfect backdrop for their main attraction: social darts.
Flight Club has revolutionised the traditional game of darts, making it faster, more accessible, and, frankly, a lot more fun. The technology they use allows automatic scoring, so no more squabbles about whether that was a triple 20 or not.
St. George’s Tavern
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Location: 14 Belgrave Rd, Greater, Pimlico, London SW1V 1QD, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7630 1116
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM
St. George’s Tavern offers a wide range of real ales, which, for the uninitiated, are traditional British beers known for their rich flavours and smooth textures. Among these, the ‘London Pride’ is a standout – a classic ale that’s as much a part of London as the Thames.
Now, let’s not sidestep the food. British pub food is a cuisine in its own right, and St. George’s Tavern serves up some of the best. Their Fish and Chips are legendary, featuring perfectly battered fish and golden, crispy chips, a dish that has customers reeling with delight.
Marquis of Westminster
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Location: 50 Warwick Way, Pimlico, London SW1V 1RY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7592 0249
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday & Thursday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Wednesday – 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday – 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Any discerning drinker would appreciate their selection of cask ales and craft beers on tap. They regularly rotate in hard-to-find local brews like the Citra Pale Ale from Hackney’s Pressure Drop Brewery, as well as a few British classics like Timothy Taylor’s Landlord.
Their whiskey and ginger pick-me-up with chilli and lime make for the ultimate crisp, spicy boost – an award-winning house speciality. If tequila is more your speed, their smoky, herbaceous Oaxacan Spritz sings with mezcal, Chartreuse and curry leaf.
All Bar One Victoria
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Location: Retail, Unit 1 58 Victoria St, London SW1E 6AJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7828 9772
Pricing: ££
Opening hours:
- Monday to Wednesday- 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Thursday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM
The All Bar One Victoria menu focuses on re-imagined English favourites executed to perfection. Their sweet potato and chickpea curry offers a flavourful vegetarian option, while the pork and chorizo sausage roll with piccalilli relish gives a scrumptious modern twist on the meat pastry.
But we’d say their chunky fish finger sandwich, coated in a crispy Smithwicks beer batter and served piping hot in farmhouse bread, remains the best seller for good reason!
The Willow Walk
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Location: Parnell House, 25 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1LW, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7828 2953
Pricing: £
Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday – 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday – 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
As a Fuller’s pub, you can bet your bottom pound they pour a stellar pint. The London Pride and ESB remain go-to staples for many, but regulars know the rotating selection of Fuller-owned craft breweries like Dark Star or Tiny Rebel is not to be missed.
Fancy an easy-drinking cider or crisp lager after a long day instead? They’ve got you covered there too.
Now beyond the Longitude-worthy drinks, the gastropub menu offers simple, locally sourced British fare done right – think Scotch eggs with homemade piccalilli or beer-battered cod. But vegetarians need not fret, as the grilled halloumi burger with chipotle relish never disappoints.
