The 8 best bars in Soho

Below the hustle and bustle of the lively Soho lies Tea Room - an all-day cocktail lounge and restaurant inspired by 1960's Hong Kong tea houses serving up gourmet Cantonese forgotten favourites.

Spanning two floors, a walk down the speak-easy staircase sends you down to a secret dining spot with neon, velvet, ceramic, rattan, and brass for those seeking a slower pace.

The event Space can cater for private dining, team lunches/dinners, Christmas parties, canapé style events, canto disco, drinks receptions.

They are flexible in terms of service style, menus, seating arrangements, and music choice are all up to you.

Resembling a set from Seinfeld, the purveyors of Little Scarlett Door seem to have understood the Londoners' rabid appetite for quotidian memorabilia.

Grabbing your drink, you can descend the stairs before being immersed in idealised metropolitan living space: attractive people gossiping over kitchen counters, reclining on mismatching sofas, a tumble dryer stacked with towels overlooks a Nintendo 64. It's odd but actually results in a really comfortable bar space.

Private hire is available, with 240 guests become admitted into the entire bar. The mix of industrial exposed pillars, denim-washed walls and open-plan living could prove a refreshing backdrop to another after-work drinks.

This distinctly Italian spot on the Eastern limit of Old Compton Street is a fantastic little bar that often gets overlooked by its more celebrated neighbours.

By day the cafe churns out excellent, reasonably priced coffees (in fact, order and espresso and you might be treated to a complimentary shot of Grappa, "to help wash the cup") and light bites to eat.

Come dusk the barista turns bartender, with Aperol and Campari heavy cocktails keeping the crowd happy and glassy-eyed. You'll also get a proper Negroni here, which is something the city is calling out for.

Taking its name from an adjective meaning 'disreputable or sordid in a rakish way', Louche certainly know their surrounding area's history.

With live music most nights, Louche is a great option for those wanting some atmosphere in which to enjoy their happy hour cocktails. On that note, we recommend trying their Picante, a spicy blend of Tequila, agave, lime, cucumber and chilli. Happy hour (well, hours) is a generous Open-8 pm on weekdays, with Saturday reducing the time to a 2-hour slot between 4 and 6 pm. Plan your visit accordingly.

Private hire is available, with multiple spaces accommodating a whole range of numbers. The downstairs vaults can hold 50, whilst the upstairs has its own bar and room for 140. If you really want to push the boat out, you can exclusively hire the entire bar for 260 people.

Holed up on, you guessed it, Wardour Street, 100 WS's ground floor lounge bar is a great after-works drinking spot for those liking vodka-based cocktails. Teaming up with every Love Island contestant's favourite sponsor, Cîroc, 100 WS throw the whole bus as the vodka cocktail scene. Take the Kiwi Kick, a favourite: Vodka and kiwi get to know apple and absinthe before being drowned in ginger beer. It's as delicious as it is irresponsible.

Come night, you can expect live music every Thursday through Saturday, with the bar taking on a more club-like atmosphere. If you don't want to share your space with the general public, the lounge can be hired out for 450 guests and caters to all manner of Soho parties.

Yes, it's a pub. Do we care? No.

The George is everything a good Soho bar, sorry pub, should be. It is dimly lit with deep wooden fittings and heavy curtains draped before frosted glass windows. The bar serves cask ales, craft beers, tapped wines and a fantastic selection of whiskey.

With a pedigree of heavy boozing patrons (Dylan Thomas was known to frequent the booths), you're in good company at The George. If you want a private event, the 100-capacity downstairs space can be exclusively hired. They might even let you pour your own pint, if you ask nicely.

This being a rational country of alcoholics, we have never actually banned alcohol. There is, however, an underground network of illegal drinking dens that crisscross the backstreets of our fair island.

Take The Arts Theatre Club, for example. The Frith St spot is no longer operating outside the law, but it boasts a recalcitrant history of getting messed up. Claiming to be a favourite haunt of the Kray's, Arts Theatre Club does feel like the kind of place in which the carpet, walls and tassel-dripping lampshades each has a story to tell.

Drinking at Arts Theatre Club means, inevitably, cocktails. They make a decent vesper, and a punchy daiquiri but the star of the show is the wonderfully titled 'Fabulous Eskimo Nell': Fig liqueur, Grey Goose vodka blueberries and Creme de Myrtille served over crushed ice.

The Arber Garden is a hidden gem located in the bustling district of Soho. It is an outdoor bar that offers a serene and relaxing atmosphere, with lush greenery and twinkling lights creating a magical ambience. The bar specialises in gin, offering an extensive list of cocktails and other drinks. The menu also features small plates, perfect for sharing with friends while enjoying the tranquil surroundings.

The Arber Garden is a popular spot for after-work drinks, dates, and intimate gatherings. The bar is open year-round and has heaters during colder months, making it a great spot for a cosy night out.