Eight of London’s Best Bars for Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Calling those braving Dry January: we’ve rounded up the London hangouts serving up the best alcohol-free cocktails and drinks. Among them, you’ll find a hip hotel chain, swanky saloons and plenty of petals and spices.

January can be a dreary month at the best of times, but even more so for those who have taken on the challenge of ditching the booze. We're not denying that Dry January brings with it a bucketful of restorative health benefits, but after a couple of hangover-free weekends, we find ourselves itching to pull up a seat in a buzzy bar and dreaming of knocking back some creative concoctions.

Whether you're teetering on the brink of shelving the health regime, or just welcome the idea of waking up feeling fresh as a daisy, these are the best bars in the capital to hit up for a non-alcoholic drink (or three).

Toast to teetotal: London's best alcohol-free bars

heads + tails west hampstead heads bar

bar

Heads + Tails

West Hampstead

Setting the city's non-alcoholic cocktail scene aflutter, Heads + Tails' split personality makes for the best hangout in NW6. The brainchild of Will Partridge and Chris Dennis, this two-floor bar slots two entirely different vibes (plus an outdoor terrace) under one roof. On the ground floor you'll find the airy Heads cocktail bar: think walls splashed in shades of eggshell blue, plush, gold-laced bar stools and, centre stage, a long, turquoise-tiled bar. Skim past the house cocktails and the order the alcohol-free Old Pals - a zingy, floral concoction in which elderflower ably stands in for gin. We'd strongly suggest snagging a side of the homemade houmous with sourdough. If sticking to resolutions isn't your style, slip downstairs to Tails, the sultry, lower-level bar - all wooden beams, exposed brick and matte-black walls, plus a lengthy list of short and stirred options. Looking for something light and fresh? Try the French Pearl Martini.

Address

175 West End Ln, NW6 2LH

albie bar at the hoxton southwark

bar

Albie at The Hoxton

Southwark

We've said it before and we'll say it again: no place does it quite like The Hoxton. A highlight of the hotel group's Southwark outpost on Blackfriars Road, the ground-floor Albie might be the hippest hangout London has to offer. Floor-to-ceiling windows are fringed by surprisingly large palms, while wicker chairs invite lingering under the copper pendant lighting. Come to enjoy not just the page-long list dedicated to alcohol-free concoctions, but a menu of delicious Mediterranean-style light bites. Start by ordering a sharing plate of buttermilk-fried cod bites, served in a buffalo sauce with a drizzle of ranch dressing. Next, grab a bowl of the Sweet Eastern salad, in which courgette ribbons meet toasted walnuts and pomegranate seeds. Don't leave without having tried the Ginish mocktail.

Address

40 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NY

the library bar at the lanesborough

bar

The Library Bar at The Lanesborough

Hyde Park Corner

Sipping mocktails in a library might not be the first thing that springs to mind when planning a night on the tiles, but hear us out. A few years back, The Lanesborough's sleek and stylish Library Bar launched a menu dedicated to its most popular cocktails - minus the alcohol. From the selection of old and new favourites, we're ordering up the Genuine & Tonic, which tastes even better than a regular G&T. For those who prefer something bubbly, there's the Upside-Down Fizz - think spiced cinnamon mixed with lemongrass and vanilla. Insider tip: this place has a strict dress code, so arrive smart-casual to avoid disappointment.

Address

Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA

sky pod bar at sky garden walkie talkie sunset

bar

Sky Garden

Aldgate

The "Walkie Talkie" is one of London's most famous landmarks, and its fabulous rooftop oasis is home to some of the best alcohol-free cocktails in town, as well as panoramic views across the capital. Entry is free - don't be alarmed by the airport-style frisk upon entry. After making the 160m ascent via the lift, you'll arrive in the cloud-busting Sky Garden conservatory. Though you're welcome to wander around its patches of greenery (courtesy of the Kew Gardens team), we'd suggest booking a sunset-hour table at the Sky Pod Bar. Kick back with a Spiced Mocktail Mule and watch the sky turn blood-orange. If the weather is good, step outside onto the terrace, which promises spectacular views of Tower Bridge and The Shard.

Address

1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF

mocktails at the bookclub in shoreditch

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The Book Club

Shoreditch

The Book Club is the kind of bougie bar that East Londoners want to keep for themselves, and with one glance at its booze-free menu, we can hardly blame them. Though it's often dubbed as Colours Hoxton's little sister, this is an established joint within its own right. Round up the troops and head here on a Wednesday - two-for-one pizza night . You haven't lived until you've tried a slice of the pepperoni option paired with a Nojito. Party people should ignore the candlelit corners and check out the regular DJ sessions, or, for something a little more dramatic, the venue's famed drag events.

Address

100-106 Leonard Street EC2A 4RH

lyaness london sea containers

Lyaness

South Bank

Ryan Chetiyawardana continues to reign over the British bar scene. Located on the ground floor of South Bank's swish Sea Containers London is the seductive Lyaness. It can be a challenge to find a setting whose interiors are as impressive as its menu, but not here: electric-blue furnishings complement an enormous marble bar. This isn't the sort of place for a pit stop, so be sure to come with a rumbling stomach. Start by diving straight in with the SeaCo cheeseburger, washed down with an extra-large glass of Seedlip Grove, made with oyster honey. Special occasion on the horizon? Check out the Spirited Tea slots, where cocktails embellished with rose petals are a highlight of a classic afternoon tea.

Address

20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD

bar

34 Mayfair

Mayfair

You name it and 34 Mayfair has done it. We're talking a dine-in bauble grotto, levitating Boris Johnson dolls (seriously) and floral extravaganzas that would put the Chelsea Flower Show to shame - even the menu looks like an entry to the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. Decor aside, the non-alcoholic drinks manage to make spirits seem drab. Order The 34 Virgin Colada: one gulp and you'll be (mentally) transported straight to the Caribbean. FYI: this is one of the best brunch spots in London. Book a table here in February to enjoy a glass of fizz alongside your pancakes or smoked salmon.

Address

34 Grosvenor Sq (entrance on South Audley St), W1K 2HD

ceviche soho blue

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Ceviche

Soho

One for lovers of seafood, Ceviche's bohemian vibe takes inspiration from Lima's Barranco neighbourhood. With its blue-washed panelling, this place feels more like a habourside joint than a Soho hangout. For a true flavour of Peru, try the Machu Picchu Tonic, starring hibiscus-infused ginger fused with lemongrass cordial. We know you're here for the drinks, but it's difficult not to mention the dishes. Stop by for a street-food-style lunch - the crispy squid jalea is our favourite. Time on your hands? Settle down and savour the decadent corn and prawn tamal. Sweet tooth? End with the indulgent dulce de leche crepe.

Address

17 Frith St, London W1D 4RG

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