Best Cocktail Bars in the United Kingdom

London leads, but the best cocktail bars in the United Kingdom reach north into Scotland. Connaught Bar is No. 8 on The 50 Best Bars 2026, the highest British bar on that list. Satan's Whiskers, a Bethnal Green neighborhood bar open since 2013, is No. 29 and won Best International Cocktail Bar at the 2026 Spirited Awards. Waltz, a jazz room behind a soundproofed door in East London, is No. 32 and took Best New Opening at Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026. In Edinburgh, Panda & Sons poses as an old barbershop and is No. 20 on Europe's 50 Best Bars 2026. Satan's Whiskers books by phone only and takes walk-ins. These are the bars we would start with.