6 Best Bars in Mayfair, London

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The best bars in Mayfair cover quite the range of options. You can visit a classy bar in a five-star hotel, a trendy venue with drinks served in fishbowls and Chinese takeaway cartons, or a classic spot with internationally inspired décor.

No matter what type of bar you’re searching for, you’ll be able to find something that suits your fancy in Mayfair.

So if you’re looking for the best bars in Mayfair, this list includes all of the most amazing places for you to grab a drink.

Playing with long exposure shots and light trails in Oxford Street
Playing with long exposure shots and light trails in Oxford Street

6 Best Bars in Mayfair

Mr. Fogg’s Residence 

One of the best cocktail bars in Covent Garden also has a location in Mayfair! Mr. Fogg’s Residence is the counterpart to Covent Garden’s Mr. Fogg’s Tavern.

Both bars are named after Phileas Fogg, the main character in Around the World in Eighty Days. And both are decked out in some of the coolest souvenirs from around the planet.

Mr. Fogg’s Residence in particular boasts vintage bikes, antique dishes, and tiny globes. This Mayfair bar has an extensive alcohol menu, but the most popular drinks are the cocktails named after influential figures.

You can try the fruity Queen Victoria, the creamy Florence Nightingale, or the citrusy Charles John Huffans Dickens. With all of these things going for it, Mr. Fogg’s Residence is definitely one of the best bars in Mayfair.

Mahiki

With rainforest-inspired décor, tropical cocktails, and colorful miniature umbrellas, Mahiki is the classic tiki bar through and through.

To start your time at Mahiki, you can order one of the island-themed drinks. Try the Mauna Loa, mai-pie, Tahiti iced tea, or the classic pina colada.

If you’re lucky, your drink will come in a uniquely shaped tiki glass, like a shark, a mermaid, a horse, or a monkey. Then, you can head to the dance floor and sway to fun music for the rest of the night!

There is a Mahiki venue also in Camden, and it has been the location of one too many of my student nights in London.

Dukes Bar

Dukes Bar has long established itself as one of the best bars in Mayfair. As a matter of fact, Dukes Bar is where Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels, coined the famous phrase, “shaken, not stirred.”

For that reason alone, you have to get a martini (although, I won’t say that you have to get James Bond’s exact order). A few of the martinis you can get include the Duke’s vodka martini, the Duke’s gin martini, the tiger tanaka, and Ian Fleming’s classic vesper.

And when you inevitably make your second and third trips to Dukes Bar, you can then try one of their other cocktails, including the quality Sazeracs and martinis.

And don’t forget to try some of the best bar food in Mayfair at Dukes Bar. You can order the pork terrine with langoustines, the juicy ribeye, or the flavorful veal fillet.

CircusXO

Situated in the basement below the Dabiz Muñoz StreetXO restaurant, CircusXO is undoubtedly one of the trendiest bars in Mayfair – and also probably one of the weirdest.

The funky drinks aren’t served in glasses. Oh no, that’s much too normal. Instead, they’re served in everything from fishbowls to Chinese takeaway containers to plastic bags.

And the food is just as intriguing. Serving up what they call “liquid cuisine,” you can order unique dishes from all around the world. Singapore laksa, octopus tacos, Korean lasagna, and Peruvian Hamachi sashimi are just the start.

And if you’ve come for the music scene, the DJs at CircusXO certainly will not disappoint!

Coburg Bar

The Coburg Bar at the five-star Connaught Hotel is definitely one of the nicest bars in Mayfair. And in addition to enjoying the art deco décor, you can also grab a fantastic drink.

Many of the menu items at the Coburg Bar pay homage to mixologist genius, Harry Craddock.

One of the most famous bartenders of all time, Harry Craddock is most well-known for writing the Savoy Cocktail Book. And the Coburg Bar serves many of the cocktails found in this esteemed guide.

You can try the Prince of Wales, the last word, the Bobby Burns, or the naked & famous. You can also pair your drinks with classy dishes, like tuna tartar, burrata, Ibérico ham, and black truffle pizza.

If you like, you can even splurge on one of the four types of caviar offered at this classy Mayfair bar. 

The Donovan Bar

With its unique 1960s vibe, The Donovan Bar may be one of the coolest bars in Mayfair.

Situated in the lavish Brown’s Hotel, The Donovan Bar boasts touches of luxury from the tufted green couches to the black and white photos to the gold accents.

As for the drink menu at The Donovan Bar, it’s absolutely legendary. Created by bartending great Salvatore Calabrese, you’re sure to find your new favorite cocktail.

You can opt for the je t’aime, the swinging sixties, the black and white, or the Salvatore’s legacy. And don’t forget to pair your fantastic drinks with a fancy bite to eat!

You can try the fried squash flowers, dressed Devon Crab, or tagliatelle with black truffle and parmesan. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Bars in Mayfair

Regardless of what type of bar you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find the perfect spot for your night out on the town.

You can pop into the inviting sixties-style The Donovan Bar, dance the night away at Mahiki, or embrace your fancier side at the Coburg Bar.

Mayfair is one of the best areas to stay in London, especially for first-time visitors. It’s home to many London attractions, cute coffee shops, and classy breakfast nooks.

Are there other good bars in Mayfair that I should feature on this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more awesome bars in London? Check out these bar suggestions!

Looking for more London tips? Check out these guides!

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