London doesn’t just have bars-it has entire worlds hidden behind unmarked doors, neon-lit staircases, and secret passwords. If you’re looking for a night out that feels like stepping into a movie, you’re in the right place. Forget generic pubs and chain clubs. The real magic happens where the theme isn’t an afterthought-it’s the whole point.
Escape to a 1920s Speakeasy in Shoreditch
Down a narrow alley behind a fridge door in Shoreditch, you’ll find The Blind Pig. No sign. No windows. Just a velvet rope and a bouncer who asks you for the password (it changes weekly, and you can find it on their Instagram). Inside, jazz plays low, men in bow ties serve gin cocktails in crystal glasses, and the walls are lined with vintage newspapers from 1927. The cocktails? They’re named after bootleggers. The Al Capone’s Last Laugh-bourbon, smoked maple, and black walnut bitters-comes with a single ice cube carved into a skull. It’s not just a drink. It’s a performance. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve been part of something secret, something real.
Drink Underwater at The Underwater Bar
At the bottom of a converted 1930s swimming pool in Camden, The Underwater Bar lets you sip cocktails while watching real fish swim past your table. The walls are lined with aquarium panels, and the ceiling glows blue like deep ocean. No, it’s not CGI. The bar actually pumps filtered seawater through the tanks, and they’ve got a marine biologist on staff to explain what you’re seeing. Order the Mermaid’s Whisper-vodka, butterfly pea flower, and sea salt foam-and watch it change color as you drink. It’s the only place in London where your drink literally shifts hue before your eyes. Reservations fill up two weeks in advance. Walk-ins? Don’t bother.
Party Like a Vampire at The Velvet Coffin
Every Friday and Saturday night, Soho transforms into a gothic ballroom at The Velvet Coffin. Black lace, corsets, and silver rings are mandatory. The DJ spins darkwave and post-punk, and the bartenders pour blood-red cocktails from vintage syringes. The dance floor? It’s built over a real coffin-shaped LED pit that pulses with red light. They host monthly Blood Moon Masquerades, where guests wear handmade masks and compete for prizes like a year’s supply of black vodka. This isn’t Halloween cosplay-it’s a weekly ritual. Locals come here to feel like outsiders, and they leave feeling like they belong.
Step Into a Forest at The Lost Grove
Tucked inside a former Victorian greenhouse in Brixton, The Lost Grove is a forest you can drink in. Trees grow through the floor. Moss covers the walls. Fireflies (real, bioluminescent insects) float above your table. The bar is made from reclaimed oak, and the cocktails are named after fungi: Reishi Dream (gin, reishi mushroom tincture, elderflower), Chanterelle Mist (tequila, honey, smoked thyme). They even have a tree-planting policy: for every drink sold, they plant a sapling in the New Forest. It’s peaceful, surreal, and strangely calming-even at 2 a.m. when the bass kicks in.
Time Travel to 1985 at Neon Retro
Step into Neon Retro in Fitzrovia and you’re instantly back in 1985. The walls are covered in CRT TVs playing old music videos. The playlist? Only songs that hit the UK Top 10 between ’83 and ’87. The bartenders wear leg warmers and perm wigs. The drinks? All named after VHS tapes: Back to the Future Punch, Top Gun Daiquiri, Dirty Dancing Spritz. They’ve got a real arcade in the back with Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and a working Jenga tower that doubles as a cocktail stand. On Thursdays, they host 80s Karaoke Nights-and if you sing “Take On Me” perfectly, you get your next round free. It’s cheesy, loud, and exactly what you need after a long week.
Find Your Inner Pirate at The Rum Barrel
Underneath a bookshop in Clerkenwell lies The Rum Barrel, a pirate-themed bar where the staff wear eye patches and the chairs are made from old ship timbers. The menu is written in pirate slang: “Grog” means rum, “Plunder” means cocktails, and “Walk the Plank” is their signature 5-shot challenge. The bar’s owner, a retired sailor from the Caribbean, hand-selects every rum they serve. You can taste 12-year-old Jamaican, 18-year-old Barbadian, or a 25-year-old Trinidadian single cask. They also run Shipwreck Nights every third Friday-guests dress as pirates, and the bar turns into a full-on treasure hunt. Hidden bottles are scattered around the room. Find one, and you win a free flight to Barbados. Last year, someone actually won.
Why These Bars Work
What makes these places different isn’t just the decor. It’s the attention to detail. The staff aren’t just serving drinks-they’re acting. The music isn’t background noise-it’s curated. The cocktails aren’t just recipes-they’re stories. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re immersive experiences built by people who care. You don’t just go to The Blind Pig to drink. You go to feel like you’ve cracked a code. You don’t just dance at The Velvet Coffin. You join a tribe.
London’s nightlife used to be about how loud the music was or how long the line was. Now, it’s about how deeply you can be transported. These places don’t just host parties. They create moments you’ll remember for years.
What to Know Before You Go
- Reservations matter. Most of these places don’t take walk-ins. Book at least a week ahead, especially on weekends.
- Dress the part. At The Velvet Coffin or The Rum Barrel, you’ll stand out if you show up in jeans and a hoodie. Check their social media for dress codes.
- Bring cash. Some of these bars still don’t take cards. Especially The Blind Pig and The Lost Grove.
- Arrive early. The best seats go fast. Get there 15 minutes before opening to pick your spot.
- Don’t rush. These aren’t places to knock back three drinks and leave. They’re meant to be savored.
When to Go
Weekends are packed, but weekdays can be magical. The Lost Grove is quietest on Tuesday nights-perfect for a slow, dreamy drink. The Underwater Bar has live cello performances on Wednesdays. Neon Retro’s karaoke nights on Thursdays are the most fun. And if you want to avoid crowds entirely, try The Rum Barrel on a rainy Monday. You’ll have the whole pirate ship to yourself.
What Comes Next
If you loved these, keep exploring. There’s a hidden jazz club under a laundromat in Peckham called The Spin Cycle. A bar in Hackney that only serves drinks made with foraged herbs. A rooftop party that happens once a month under a full moon, where guests are given glow-in-the-dark masks and told to find their way out by following the sound of wind chimes.
London’s nightlife isn’t just about where you go. It’s about what you discover when you stop looking for a drink and start looking for a story.
Are themed bars in London expensive?
Prices vary, but most themed bars charge £12-£18 for cocktails, which is on par with high-end venues in central London. Some, like The Rum Barrel, offer cheaper house rum pours starting at £8. You’re paying for the experience, not just the alcohol. Many places include live music, themed decor, or interactive elements that make the price feel fair.
Do I need to book ahead for themed bars in London?
Yes, especially for popular spots like The Underwater Bar, The Blind Pig, and The Velvet Coffin. Most require online reservations, and walk-ins are rarely accepted. Even less-known places like The Lost Grove fill up fast on weekends. Book at least 3-7 days in advance.
Can I go to these bars alone?
Absolutely. Many regulars come solo. Staff at these places are trained to make solo guests feel welcome. At The Lost Grove, you’ll often find people chatting at the communal tables. At The Blind Pig, the bartender will often ask you what kind of mood you’re in and tailor your drink accordingly. It’s not about who you’re with-it’s about what you’re feeling.
Are these bars kid-friendly?
No. All of these venues are 18+ or 21+ only. Even if a theme seems family-friendly, like The Lost Grove, the atmosphere, alcohol service, and late hours make them unsuitable for children. Some places offer non-alcoholic options, but they’re still not designed for kids.
What’s the best themed bar for a first date in London?
The Lost Grove is ideal. It’s intimate, quiet enough to talk, and the natural lighting makes for great photos. The atmosphere feels magical without being over-the-top. The Underwater Bar is a close second-there’s something undeniably romantic about sipping a drink while fish glide past you. Avoid The Velvet Coffin or The Rum Barrel on a first date unless you know your date loves goth or pirate themes.
Are these bars open every day?
No. Most themed bars are open Thursday through Sunday only. Some, like The Blind Pig, open only on Friday and Saturday. The Underwater Bar is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Always check their Instagram or website before heading out-hours change often, especially around holidays.
