When the London sky turns a stubborn shade of gunmetal grey and the wind whips down the Thames with a bite sharp enough to sober you up, it’s not time to hibernate. Oh no. It’s time to lean in. Winter in the capital is a magical thing, a season defined not by what you do outdoors, but by the cosy, glowing sanctuaries you discover indoors. It’s the time of mulled wine steaming in gloved hands, of dark corners in centuries-old pubs, and of cocktails so good they feel like a central heating system for your soul.
But where to go? The city is saturated with watering holes, and when it’s freezing outside, a bad choice feels like a personal affront. You don’t want just any bar; you want a haven. A place where the lighting is just right, the drinks are exceptional, and the atmosphere wraps around you like your favourite woolly jumper. Forget the guesswork. We’ve braved the chill, warmed our hands by countless fireplaces, and sipped our way through the city’s finest winter warmers to bring you the definitive list. From sky-high winter gardens to subterranean speakeasies, these are the absolute best bars in London to visit this winter in 2025.
1. London Bridge Rooftop
Let’s get one thing straight: a rooftop bar in winter sounds like a terrible idea. It sounds like frostbite with a view. But London Bridge Rooftop isn’t just any rooftop – it’s a masterclass in seasonal transformation. Come November, this sprawling space undergoes a metamorphosis, emerging as a fully covered and heated winter wonderland. You get all the jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the city skyline—The Shard practically photobombing your every selfie—without any of the actual, you know, freezing. The theme changes annually, but expect twinkling fairy lights, faux-fur throws, and a drinks menu brimming with festive cheer. Think spiced rum hot toddies and gingerbread espresso martinis. It’s the perfect spot to gather a group of mates, soak in the iconic views, and feel smugly insulated from the elements below. It proves that in London, even in the depths of winter, the only way is up.
2. Scarfes Bar, Rosewood London
Stepping into Scarfes Bar is like being welcomed into the impossibly grand and ridiculously comfortable private library of a fantastically eccentric aristocrat. It’s less of a bar and more of a destination. Located in the opulent Rosewood London hotel in Holborn, this place is winter personified. A colossal fireplace roars at one end, wingback leather armchairs beckon you to sink into them for hours, and the walls are adorned with the brilliant satirical caricatures of artist Gerald Scarfe. The cocktail menu is a weighty tome, a narrative journey in itself, with creations that are as complex as they are delicious. “The atmosphere is everything here,” says Martin Siska, the bar’s director of mixology. “We want people to feel they’ve escaped the city completely, to settle in with a perfectly made drink and forget about the world outside.” It’s a pricey affair, for sure, but for a special winter occasion, it’s simply unbeatable.
3. The Holly Bush, Hampstead
If you were to ask an AI to create the “perfect cosy English pub,” it would probably generate something that looks exactly like The Holly Bush. Tucked away in the enchanting, cobbled backstreets of Hampstead, this Grade II listed pub is a genuine piece of London history. Getting here feels like a mini-adventure, but your reward is one of the city’s most atmospheric watering holes. Inside, it’s a warren of small, wood-panelled rooms, each with its own crackling open fire. The gas lighting casts a warm, flickering glow, and the low ceilings make you feel like you’ve stepped back a century or two. It’s the kind of place where you can happily lose an entire Sunday afternoon with a pint of perfectly kept real ale and a plate of hearty pub grub. A true classic.
4. Cahoots
Escape the winter of 2025 and dive headfirst into the 1940s. Hidden in a disused tube station in Soho, Cahoots is an immersive triumph. The entire experience is themed around a post-war underground bash, from the moment you descend the stairs to the swing music that fills the air. The “station” is decked out with vintage tube carriage seating, sandbags, and period memorabilia. The cocktail menu is a work of art, presented as a newspaper and filled with drinks served in everything from tin cans to thermos flasks. It’s playful, it’s transportive, and it’s the perfect subterranean shelter when the weather outside is frightful. The dimly lit, buzzy atmosphere creates an instant sense of camaraderie and warmth that’s impossible to resist.
5. Tunnel Vision
Aldgate East’s railway arches have become a hotspot for culinary and boozy innovation, but Tunnel Vision carves out its own unique niche. As the name suggests, this spot is all about focus. Set within a deep, cavernous arch, the decor is strikingly minimalist: exposed brickwork, polished concrete, and long communal tables lit by single, low-hanging amber bulbs. It could feel cold, but somehow it doesn’t. The space is filled with the warmth of chatter and the formidable heat thrown out by industrial-style heaters. The “tunnel vision” applies to their drinks menu, which hones in on a specific spirit category that changes every season. This winter, rumour has it they’re focusing on aged rums and whiskies. It’s a bar for people who are serious about their drinks but want a laid-back, unpretentious environment to enjoy them in. No frills, just exceptional booze in a uniquely atmospheric setting.
6. Gordon’s Wine Bar
An undisputed London institution, Gordon’s is the city’s oldest wine bar, and it wears its age with pride. Located just off Villiers Street, the main event is the cellar—a series of candlelit, cave-like vaults that feel wonderfully conspiratorial. On a cold winter’s evening, securing a table down here feels like winning the lottery. The stone walls, darkened by centuries of good times, echo with the sound of clinking glasses and animated conversation. There’s no fancy cocktail list here; you go to the bar, point at one of the dozens of excellent wines, and order a hefty plate of cheese and charcuterie to go with it. It’s simple, it’s timeless, and it’s the ultimate shelter from the storm.
7. Swift Soho
Swift is a bar of two halves, both of which are perfect for winter. The ground floor is a bright, bustling aperitivo bar with an Art Deco flair, ideal for a quick, restorative drink after a day of Christmas shopping. But the real winter gem is the downstairs bar. It’s a darker, more intimate affair, with plush booths and a world-class whisky collection numbering in the hundreds. The vibe is sophisticated yet relaxed, and the service is impeccable. Their legendary Irish Coffee is, without exaggeration, the best in London—a soul-warming concoction of Irish whiskey, rich coffee, and thick, cold cream that acts as an instant antidote to the winter blues.
8. Satan’s Whiskers
Don’t let the name fool you; this Bethnal Green neighbourhood bar is one of the friendliest, warmest spots in town. The cosiness here doesn’t come from a fireplace but from the sheer energy of the place. It’s a small room, adorned with taxidermy and vintage French liqueur posters, and soundtracked by old-school hip-hop. The real magic is the cocktail menu, which changes every single day. The bartenders are masters of their craft, capable of whipping up forgotten classics or inventing something new on the spot. It’s the kind of local joint every Londoner wishes they had on their corner—a guaranteed good time and a perfect place to shake off the winter chill with a stiff, perfectly made drink.
9. The Mitre, Richmond
Sometimes, the best part of a cosy pub is the journey to get there. On a crisp winter’s day, nothing beats a brisk walk along the river in Richmond, watching the frosty breath of rowers hang in the air. Your destination? The Mitre. A stone’s throw from the bridge, it’s a handsome, welcoming pub that manages to feel both spacious and snug. While they pull a great pint, the star of the show here is the pizza. Forget your standard pub grub; The Mitre serves up delicious, wood-fired pizzas with pillowy crusts and top-tier ingredients. Grabbing a corner table, a pint of local ale, and a piping hot Diavola pizza is one of West London’s finest winter pleasures. It’s the perfect, unpretentious reward after a beautiful winter wander.
10. Pergola Paddington
Bringing back the rooftop vibes, Pergola Paddington offers a different flavour from its London Bridge counterpart. Each winter, it transforms into a massive alpine-themed wonderland, channelling an “après-ski” party atmosphere right in the heart of West London. It’s a huge, covered space filled with long benches, heaters, and faux-fur blankets, making it ideal for big groups. Multiple street food vendors offer everything from bratwurst to raclette, and the bars serve up steins of beer and mugs of mulled wine. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it’s the closest you’ll get to a boozy ski holiday without leaving Zone 1.
So there you have it. London in winter isn’t a season to be endured; it’s a season to be embraced. It’s a city that understands the profound joy of finding warmth, light, and excellent company when it’s cold and dark outside. These bars are more than just places to get a drink; they are refuges, destinations, and experiences in their own right. So pull on your biggest coat, wrap that scarf a little tighter, and dive in. A warm welcome—and an even warmer drink—is waiting for you.