Once upon a time, tipples in London didn’t get much more complex than a gin and tonic. This classic drink may never go out of style, but the mixology scene has blossomed in recent years, with top-notch cocktail bars opening across town. For happy hour devotees, this means a standout Manhattan or Clover Club now comes with a rather palatable price tag. From Dalston boltholes to Borough cafés, drinks connoisseur Amy Matthews rounds up her favourite spots for expertly mixed cocktails under £10.
A railway arch in Peckham may not scream cocktail heritage, but the drinks certainly do. Every clean, classic glass costs less than £10; quaff a negroni or standout whiskey sour.
Award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana’s behind this pared-back East London address. Cocktails are a steal; try a citrusy Dog’s Nose Clover Club .
This Marylebone bar is a larger follow-up to the tiny Soho original – so you might just score a table. Cocktails cost just over £10, but the excellent bottle-aged negronis are a mere £7.
Dalston is awash with intimate cocktail spots, but this place is among the very best. From nine house cocktails, sample the Shiso Miso, an artful twist on a savoury Manhattan.
Swift by name… The upstairs bar at this Soho hangout is just the place for a stylish pit stop, and a frothy Sgroppino made with prosecco and lemon sorbet is just the sharpener you need.
Just a few steps from Borough Market, this espresso bar and brunch favourite has five cocktails for under £10. Fuel up with an espresso martini, made using their Shoreditch-roasted house blend of coffee.
Image credits: © Grind; © Grind; © Peckham Springs; © Super Lyan; © Bar Termini Centrale; © Three Sheets; © Upstairs at Swift; © Grind