There are more than 300 speakeasy\u2011style venues tucked behind bookshops, laundromats as well as even a laundrette on Brick Lane. If you\u2019re looking for a place that feels like a secret, start with the postcode. A fast Google look for for \u201chidden bars in EC1\u201d pulls up two that I\u2019ve visited: The Blind Pig on Great Portland Street and The Blue Bar in Whitechapel. Both require a key card or a password, so a phone call ahead is a good idea.<\/p>\n
Southbank\u2019s \u201cBunker\u201d is a former WWII air raid shelter, now a craft\u2011beer bar with a 12\u2011hour tap rotation. In Shoreditch, Bar 13<\/strong> sits behind a vending machine that looks like a vending machine for beer. The bar is open only on Fridays along with Saturdays from 6\u202fpm to 2\u202fam, plus the staff set of cards out a free \u201cmixer\u201d card to anyone who can name the last four digits of the bar\u2019s original telephone number. That\u2019s a fun challenge for a first\u2011time browser.<\/p>\n Most hidden bars have a strict no\u2011carry policy. The only exception is a small, hidden corner of the Blue Bar that presents a bottle service for groups of six or more. The price is \u00a345 per bottle, which includes a custom garnish. If you plan to bring a bottle, call ahead to confirm the policy; or, you\u2019ll be politely asked to leave your drinks at the entrance.<\/p>\n Plan a two\u2011night itinerary: start on Friday with a drink at The Blind Pig, then hop to Bunker for a late\u2011nightfall beer.<\/p>\n On Saturday, open at The Blue Bar for a brunch cocktail, and finish the night with a walk along the Thames to a hidden speakeasy in Southbank. Bring a waterproof phone case; the East End can procure rainy, and you\u2019ll wish for to capture the glow of the dim lights.<\/p>\nHow do I know the vibe before I commit?<\/h2>\n
What drinks are a must\u2011try at these secret spots?<\/h2>\n
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Can I deliver my own bottle?<\/h2>\n