Bishopsgate runs straight through the middle of the capital’s financial district – The City of London. Originally a Roman settlement, the City is rich with history and home to the Bank of England as well as the world’s most affluent banks and businesses. The City also offers excellent nightlife with a number of excellent pubs, and cocktail and wine bars. Read on for our Bishopsgate team’s favourite bars and nights out in the Bishopsgate area.
Our Favourite Bars and Nights out in the Bishopsgate Area
Boisdale
With live jazz most nights week in the downstairs bar and restaurant, Boisdale champagne and oyster bar is a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street station, hidden in a small courtyard off Bishopsgate itself. They also offer a private room if you so need. We recommend their Old Fashioned, one of the best cocktails we’ve ever tried.
Gows
A short walk from the Liverpool Street mainline station, Gows is one of the oldest establishments in the area, having been running for over 125 years – giving Pall Mall Barbers a run for our money, as we celebrate our 120th birthday this year! The bar offers snacks (we can’t resist the whitebait), and an extensive gin (Monkey 47 is our favourite) and whiskey (Suntory Yamazaki) menu.
The Alchemist
“Almost” opposite the Pall Mall Barbers store on Houndsditch is The Alchemist. As the name suggests, this is no ordinary bar – an astonishing cocktail menu full of things you want to try. Whilst we’re not sold on the idea of the Bubblebath cocktail, which contains fairy liquid, you have to try the Colour Changing One – which does what it says on the tin and is probably magic – or, if you are really craving the theatrical, the Mad Hatters Tea Party.
Swingers
No, this place is not what you think it is. It’s a crazy golf club, obviously! Just at the foot of the unmistakable Gherkin, Swingers has two courses (the lighthouse and the windmill), a collection of street-food vendors, a clubhouse with a gin terrace and five bars serving cocktails. Just remember, it’s not a driving range. Fore!
Old Bengal Bar
The Old Bengal Bar on New Street is part of a converted former spice warehouse belonging to the East India Company. There’s heated outdoor seating as well as a sumptuous interior. A creative bar team develop their seasonal cocktail menus, or you can order classics from the menu – including the signature Cuppa Gin.
Grapeshots
Tucked away down the historic Artillery Passage, Grapeshots is one of the City’s little-known gems – entering feels like stepping back in time into the London of old. Wood panels and candlelight add to the charm. There’s a dining room downstairs, and the bar upstairs is often busy, but it’s a friendly spot. Taking in their extensive 10-page wine list can be a tad overwhelming, but the bar team are always on hand with their advice – or you could do as we did and just get a pint.
Vertigo 42
Another spot with incredible views, the stylish Vertigo 42 on Old Broad Street is at the top of Tower 42. The menu offers an extensive list of champagne cocktails, so if you’re in the mood for bubbles, celebratory or otherwise, it’s the bar to head to.
Steam and Rye
Steam and Rye is an eccentrically decorated American-themed late-night party spot in the City. Great for blowing off the steam, with fire-breathing bartenders, live music Thursday through Saturday, and a rodeo bull on Tuesday nights (because why not?) – it’s a lot more relaxed than some of our favourite spots.
Habit
Between Tower Gate and Aldgate tube stations, Crutched Friars itself feels like a section of ‘old London’, so Habit, with antiques everywhere and classic wooden bar furniture, feels right at home. It’s a charming favourite for after-work drinks.
The Bootlegger
A prohibition-era-inspired drinking den, The Bootlegger is a relatively new bar but is fast becoming our favourite spot for chilling out and letting our hair down. Live music, American eats and an inspired cocktail menu make this place just a little different from the regular City haunts.
Pall Mall Barbers Bishopsgate branch can be found at 123 Houndsditch, in the heart of the City of London. Bishopsgate is surrounded by some of the greatest architecture in the world and home to a bevy of bars and nightlife. Bishopsgate runs near to Liverpool Street Station, a major transport hub – making it an easy to get to and from central London. Shoreditch High Street Overground station, as well as Bank, Aldgate and Aldgate East tube stations, are also a matter of minutes’ walk.
