London doesn’t just have bars-it has time machines, underwater caves, secret speakeasies, and disco balls that never stop spinning. If you’re looking for a night out that feels like stepping into a movie, you’re in the right city. Forget generic pubs with stiff pints and playlist repeats. The real magic happens in places where the decor tells a story, the drinks come with a script, and the crowd is dressed for the theme-not just for Friday.
The Alchemist: Science Meets Sorcery
Walk into The Alchemist in Covent Garden and you’re not in a bar-you’re in a mad scientist’s lab crossed with a wizard’s workshop. Smoke curls from test tubes. Cocktails are served in beakers. Dry ice fogs the table as your drink is poured. The menu isn’t just a list-it’s a lab report. Try the "The Last Word", a gin-based potion that changes color when you stir it. Staff wear lab coats and call you "Professor" as they hand you your glass. It’s theatrical, yes, but the drinks are actually expertly balanced-not just gimmicks drowned in syrup.
This place isn’t just for Instagram. It’s for people who want their night to feel like an experience you can’t get anywhere else. Book ahead. Weekends fill up fast. Arrive early if you want a seat by the counter where the mixologists perform their craft like stage magicians.
The Laundry Room: Hidden in Plain Sight
Find the unmarked door behind a laundromat in Shoreditch. No sign. No window. Just a buzzer and a bouncer who checks your vibe before letting you in. Inside? A 1970s-inspired underground lounge with velvet booths, disco balls, and a DJ spinning rare funk and soul records. The lighting is low. The music is loud. The cocktails? Crafted with precision-think smoked bourbon old-fashioneds and lavender-infused gin spritzes.
This isn’t a themed bar because of the decor. It’s themed because of the feeling. It’s the kind of place where strangers become friends over shared secrets and a shared love of good music. No costumes required. Just show up with curiosity and an open mind. The vibe shifts every night-sometimes it’s a retro dance party, other times it’s live jazz with a hidden saxophonist in the corner.
The Box Soho: A Night of Mystery and Masquerade
Step into The Box Soho and you enter a world where fantasy and reality blur. Think cabaret meets burlesque meets immersive theater. The walls are lined with velvet drapes. Chandeliers drip from the ceiling. Performers move through the crowd-dancers in feathers, magicians with cards up their sleeves, and singers who pull you into their routines. You’re not just watching a show-you’re part of it.
Every Thursday and Saturday, they host themed nights: "Gothic Masquerade," "Cyberpunk Noir," or "Victorian Fantasy." Dress code? Encouraged, not required-but if you show up in a mask and corset, you’ll get priority seating. Drinks are named after characters from classic literature and myth. The "Medusa" cocktail comes with a snake-shaped ice cube that melts into your glass. It’s wild, it’s over-the-top, and it’s unforgettable.
Bar 123: The Secret Speakeasy with a Twist
Hidden behind a bookshelf in a quiet corner of Soho, Bar 123 doesn’t advertise. You need a password-changed weekly-and you get it by solving a riddle on their website. Once inside, it’s all dim lighting, leather booths, and cocktails stirred with antique silver spoons. The theme? "Lost 1920s Library." Every drink is named after a forgotten author. The menu is printed on parchment. The bartenders know your name by the third visit.
They don’t take reservations. Walk-ins are welcome, but the bar fills up by 9 p.m. on weekends. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a live pianist playing jazz standards from the 1930s. The atmosphere is quiet, intimate, and deeply nostalgic. It’s the kind of place where you leave feeling like you’ve been transported-not just to another bar, but to another era.
Whispering Angel: Rooftop Tropical Escape
On the 12th floor of a building near London Bridge, Whispering Angel turns into a beach party every Friday and Saturday night. Palm trees. Sand underfoot. Tiki torches. A live steel drum band. The cocktails? All rum-based, all fruity, all served in coconuts or pineapples. They even bring out inflatable flamingos and pool noodles for the crowd.
It’s not just a gimmick-it’s a full sensory escape. The city skyline glows behind you while you sip a Mai Tai. The air smells like coconut oil and citrus. On busy nights, the dance floor fills with people in Hawaiian shirts and flower crowns. It’s chaotic, joyful, and surprisingly well-executed. The drinks are strong, the music is upbeat, and the view? Unbeatable.
House of the Rising Sun: A Punk Rock Speakeasy
Downstairs beneath a nondescript storefront in Camden, House of the Rising Sun is what happens when punk rock meets Prohibition. The walls are covered in vintage band posters. Graffiti reads "Don’t Trust Anyone Over 30." The bartenders wear leather jackets. The playlist? 1977 punk, garage rock, and early post-punk. No pop. No EDM. Just raw energy.
The drinks are simple: whiskey neat, gin and tonic, or their signature "Anarchy Shot"-a spicy mix of tequila, lime, and chili tincture. The bar doesn’t have a menu. You ask for what you want, and they make it. It’s loud, it’s gritty, and it’s real. This isn’t a themed night. It’s a lifestyle. Come here if you want to feel like you’ve stumbled into a basement gig in 1978.
How to Pick the Right One for You
Not every themed bar fits every mood. Here’s how to choose:
- Want to impress someone? Go to The Alchemist or The Box Soho. The visuals alone make an impression.
- Looking for quiet conversation? Try Bar 123. The vibe is calm, the music is soft, and the drinks are slow-sipped.
- Need to dance and let loose? Whispering Angel and The Laundry Room are your spots.
- Prefer raw energy over polish? House of the Rising Sun delivers grit without pretense.
Don’t just pick the most popular one. Pick the one that matches your energy that night.
What to Know Before You Go
- Book ahead for The Alchemist, The Box Soho, and Whispering Angel. Walk-ins are rare on weekends.
- Dress codes vary. The Box Soho and Whispering Angel encourage costumes. Bar 123 and The Laundry Room are smart casual. House of the Rising Sun? Wear what makes you feel like a rebel.
- Prices range from £12 to £18 per drink. You’re paying for the experience, not just the alcohol.
- Most places close between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Last orders are usually 30 minutes before closing.
- Public transport runs late, but taxis fill up fast. Plan your ride home before you arrive.
Why Themed Bars Are More Than Just a Trend
Themed bars in London aren’t just about decoration. They’re about connection. People don’t go to these places just to drink. They go to feel something different-to escape the ordinary, to be surprised, to laugh with strangers who become friends. In a city as busy and fast-paced as London, these spaces offer a rare kind of slow magic.
They’re not just bars. They’re storytelling venues. Each one has its own world, its own rules, its own rhythm. And when you walk out at 2 a.m., slightly tipsy and buzzing with energy, you don’t just remember the drink. You remember the moment.
Are themed bars in London expensive?
Yes, drinks typically cost between £12 and £18, which is higher than regular pubs. But you’re paying for the full experience-decor, performance, atmosphere, and often custom cocktails. It’s not just alcohol; it’s entertainment.
Do I need to dress up for themed bars?
It depends. Places like The Box Soho and Whispering Angel encourage costumes and often have themed nights where dressing up enhances the vibe. Others, like The Laundry Room or Bar 123, are smart casual-no costumes needed. Always check the venue’s website before you go.
Can I just walk in, or do I need to book?
For The Alchemist, The Box Soho, and Whispering Angel, booking is strongly recommended, especially on weekends. Smaller spots like Bar 123 and The Laundry Room are first-come, first-served, but they fill up fast. Arrive early if you don’t have a reservation.
Are these bars good for groups?
Absolutely. Many themed bars have private booths or group seating. The Box Soho and Whispering Angel are especially popular for birthdays and celebrations. Just let them know you’re coming with a group when you book.
Are themed bars in London safe?
Yes. Most of these venues have professional security, well-lit entrances, and staff trained in crowd management. They’re popular with locals and tourists alike, and safety is a priority. Stick to well-known spots, avoid overly crowded areas late at night, and plan your transport ahead.
London’s themed bars aren’t just a list of places to drink. They’re destinations. Each one offers a different world, a different feeling, a different version of yourself. Whether you want to be a 1920s detective, a 1970s punk, or a tropical beachgoer under the stars, there’s a bar waiting for you. All you have to do is walk through the door.