Out of Office: where to find great cocktails during Frieze Week
Where to go for a cocktail during Frieze Week? From Mayfair classics to Soho’s hidden gems, discover a selection of London’s best cocktail bars, curated by artist and culture & bar journalist Dasha Gorshkova. The perfect guide to unwinding after a day of art and gallery hopping.
01. MAYFAIR
Before or after all gallery openings, head to the iconic Connaught for a Dry Martini, enjoy rooftop views at the dual-terrace Eagle Bar (btw, they’ve recently opened a second aperitivo venue), or visit Nipperkin and Kwant for another intimate and fabulous mixology experience.
02. AFTER FRIEZE
Artesian at The Langham, The Painter’s Room at Claridge’s, Scales Cocktail Bar, or the less formal Nobu Bar and Bar Kinky — each makes for a great stop in Marylebone or Fitzrovia, well worth the walk or ride from Regent’s Park.
03. SOMERSET HOUSE AND 1-54
Try the new Bobbi’s Bar at nearby St. Clement, and alongside its own menu, explore the aperitivo ritual from the Italy’s iconic Hotel Il Pellicano (from 13 to 18 October). More ideas to continue your art-filled day: Cato, with its new menu reflecting on New York’s communities; creative Scarfes Bar in Holborn; or busy Side Hustle.
04. EVENING IN SOHO
Check out El Siete, a new modern Mexican bar, or head to Soma Soho, Three Sheets, or Archive & Myth, hidden beneath the historic Hippodrome Casino.
05. TATE MODERN & MORE
Pair a visit to Tate Modern with Lyaness (too close and too fabulous to skip), or check out one of the newest cocktail bars near London Bridge — Nancy’s, in a brutalist setting.
06. SERPENTINE GALLERY
After seeing the latest shows at Serpentine and taking a walk through Kensington Gardens, head to Naked & Famous in Notting Hill or Amaro in South Kensington.
07. WHITECHAPEL GALLERY
For an East London night out, don’t miss Seed Library and its inventive cocktails, or Noisy Oyster for martinis and Harry Nuriev’s design.
08. AROUND BARBICAN
Pair a visit to the Barbican and the new Robert Ryman show with a stop at Waltz, opened in 2025 and now #32 among the World’s 50 Best Bars, for precise, fabulous Japanese-style bartending, vinyl, and an almost meditative vibe. Or head towards Farringdon for Space Talk and its laid-back Sunday listening sessions.
