London’s top 10 whisky bars

For many people whisky drinking is a serious business and these London bars offer aficionados the opportunity to indulge in a wide range of drams.

From restaurants to pubs and hotels to member’s clubs there are a number of different venues that cater for different moods and for different types of whisky drinker. These venues also cater to various trends that are seen in the whisky market and offer a wide range of whisky, not just from Scotland but from all over the world.

We recently revealed the top 10 London wine bars and will continue this series with recommendations for wine and whisky bars in other cities around the world.

Click through the following pages for London’s top whisky bars, but please note these are not in a particular order.

Boisdale

With three locations across London, the Boisdale chain of restaurants offers a wide range of Scotch whiskies, plus others from Ireland and the US. When deciding on a whisky patrons are presented with a 30-page menu, of which 20 pages are solely for Scotch.

The restaurants offer traditional and seasonal British fare as well as a wide range of cocktails including a whisky martini. But it is the wide selection of whiskies including some rare single malts that makes it a key part of this list. The menu includes a rare bottle of 1946 Macallan.

Boisdale restaurants are at: Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4QT; 15 Eccleston Street, Belgravia, SW1W 9LX; Bishopsgate, Swedeland Court, 202 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NR

Albannach

Situated in London’s Trafalgar Square the Albannach features a ground floor restaurant and bar with views of the Square, as well as a cocktail bar and live music club. Another extensive whisky menu, this one also features what the venue calls “whisky flights” which offer a set menu of whiskies along a particular theme. Whether it’s a tour of Islay, Scotland or even world whiskies these flights take advantage of the huge range of whisky on offer in the bar and help in making the task of choosing a dram a little less daunting.

Albannach: 66 Trafalgar Square, London. WC2N 5DS

Athenaeum

The whisky bar at The Athenaeum in Mayfair currently offers more than 270 whiskies from around the world. The extensive menu also offers information about the whiskies so not only can you drink, but you can also “read about drams from the Scottish Highlands to Japan.” The bar continues to add to its offering by getting hold of “every new expression” it can. Patrons here can enjoy a 1973 Dalmore Cabernet Sauvignon or a 1948 Glenlivet.

The Athenaeum: 116 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 7BJ

St Pancras Grand Whisky Bar

While this bar doesn’t offer a menu as extensive as some of the others on this list, the bar is a stunning place to enjoy a dram and its location makes it very handy for commuters and Eurostar travellers. There are more than 50 whiskies to choose from as well as an extensive cocktail list and it is open to everyone, not just travellers.

St Pancras Whisky Bar: Grand Terrace, Upper Concourse, St Pancras International Station, London, N1C 4QL

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bar

This bar is situated in one of London’s Victorian buildings that has been refurbished in a light and contemporary style. As well as comfort this bar, located next to London’s Hatton Garden, offers members the “largest selection of single cask, single malt whisky in the world.”

Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bar: 19 Greville Street, London, EC1N 8SQ

Salt Whisky Bar

A great name for a whisky bar because, as this scribe knows very well, it covers two things that are favourites for many Scots – salt and whisky. The bar offers a 15-page whisky menu, with highlights including a 25-year-old Caol Ila, a 1973 Highland Park and a 27-year-old Talisker. As well as Scotch, Salt Bar also has an impressive selection of whiskies from the US, Ireland and Japan.

Salt Whisky Bar: 82 Seymour Street, London, W2 2JB

Coq D’Argent

The Coq D’Argent’s bar manager Pawel Rolka has spent the last three years bringing together a wide range of whiskies and has tried to include rare malts. With over 70 different whiskies on offer, Rolka says that he is particularly proud of his Japanese collection. A highlight of the menu is a 30-year-old Auchroisk, one of only 2,976 bottles ever made, but patrons are also offered the choice of recommendations for whisky and cigar pairings.

Coq D’Argent: No.1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EJ

Connaught Bar

Although there is a good selection of whiskies this bar in West London is particularlty well-known for its own whisky concept tasting. The bar offers patrons the experience of whisky and chocolate pairing, matching whisky with “three selected homemade, bespoke chocolates”.

Connaught Bar: The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair, London, W1K 2AL.

Soho Whisky Club

This members’ bar is situated above The Vintage House in Soho and currently offers over 400 whiskies from around the world, “many of which are rare and no longer commercially available.” As with many of these whisky bars, including Boisdale, Albannach and Coq D’Argent the Soho Whisky Bar also has a smoking terrace where patrons can enjoy a fine cigar with their dram.

Soho Whisky Club: 42 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4LR.

The Britannia

This London Bridge pub, situated around the back of Guy’s Hospital, claims to offer more than 100 whiskies, which is an impressive amount for any pub. There is also a good selection of cask conditioned ales on offer, but the pub says of its whisky selection “it will keep even the most earnest of single malt lovers jolly for a while.” The Britannia also offers an “overwhelming selection of spirits from around the world”.

The Britannia pub: 44 Kipling Street, London, SE1 3RU