Living in London, South Kensington has become my go-to spot for weekend fun.
The area offers a mix of fancy bars, traditional pubs, cocktail spots, and hidden speakeasies, making it the perfect place to unwind.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these bars shape your weekend experience, providing a great spot to socialize and relax.
Here are my top 8 picks for the best bars in South Kensington – visit once, and you’ll keep coming back!
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8 Best Bars in South Kensington
After thorough research, here are the 8 best bars in South Kensington. The top 3 are the most visited and my personal favourites.
Check them out and see which one you like!
Bar 190
Bar 190 is the lavish South Kensington drinking spot, it is a luxury bar famous for classical and original cocktails.
The bar is designed with interior space, wooden panelling as well as iconic prints on the wall.
The bar includes a wide range of champagne and wines including cocktails, they also offer delicious food including soup and risotto. Enclosed inside the Gore Hotel, Bar 190 is part of the rock n roll tale.
It is my favourite bar because of the welcoming ambience and the variety of drinks I love the most.
This bar got a review on Google of 4.4 out of 5 and on Yelp it is 4 out of 5, and people love this bar so what are you waiting for must visit once a weekend to make fun.
- Address: 189 – 190 Queen Gate, Kensington, London, SW7 5EX
- Opening hours:
- Mon to Sat: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
- Sunday 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Contact: 020 758 466 01
- Website: www.collezione.starhotel.com
Publiq
Publiq is a sustainable and caring bar and restaurant where they are committed to sustainability and serves the local people.
They have 12 branches across London and the venue at Kensington is eye-catching beautiful wall art and a posh, sleek look and their friendly and welcoming atmosphere attracts the people.
Their drink list includes local beers, natural wines as well as seasonally inspired drinks that are famous here including fig, thyme fizz, white lavender negronis, and ume vieux care as well.
On Google Maps it has a strong 4.8 rating with a lot of positive reviews.
They offer the Martini along with olive oil and brown butter variations you can also have a size mini martini here.
The drinks I like the most here and also they offer innovative food with drinks so it will make your evening at the weekend and this is 2nd number on my favourite list of bars.
- Address: 1D Palace Gate, Kensington, London, W8 5LS
- Opening hours:
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 4:00 pm to 12:00 pm
- Saturday: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Sunday: 11:00 am to 11.30 pm
- Contact: 020 3417 6768
- Website: www.publiq.london
K Bar
K bar is well known as a timeless cocktail destination. This space has an intimate space with has timeless feel and serves original and classic cocktails including wine and hot drinks.
The reason why this is on my top 3 list is their top-notch drinks and awesome table services are as good as you would accept from 5-star hotels.
The bar is decorated with oak panel walls and a marble top bar adding luxuriousness to the bar ambiance. I recommend you to visit the K Bar once at the weekend and I can say you will love it.
Google has given this bar a rating of 4.6 out of 5 ratings and the Yelp site gives 4.5 out of 5 ratings with lots of best reviews from their satisfied guests.
- Address: 109-113 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London, SW1 5LP
- Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 pm to 12:00 am
- Friday: 4:00 pm to 1:00 am
- Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
- Contact: 020 7589 6300
- Website: www.townhousekensignton.com
The Champagne Bar
If you are looking got visit the Royal Albert Hall this weekend I suggest you visit the champagne bar and treat yourself what a glass of champagne bubbles on the top.
This contemporary bar is decorated with a regal purple and cream colour scheme which adds extra luxuries to the atmosphere of the bar and creates a welcoming environment for guests.
They also offer innovative food menus along with champagne, the bar enhances the finest champagne selection from the list of champagne around the prestigious vineyards across the globe.
According to the Yelp website, this bar has 5 out of 5 ratings and Google offers 4.2 ratings out of 5 for their best champagne and services.
- Address: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. SW7 3ER
- Opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 am to 10:30 am and 12: pm to 12:00 am
- Saturday:07:00 am to 12:00 am
- Sunday: 07:00 a.m. to 11:00 pm
- contact: 020 759 144 10
- Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Nam long
Nam Long is the pan-Asian celebrity haunt restaurant and cocktail bar in Kensington. This bar is designed with rich art and a Buddha statue.
Here in this bar, you can try classic as well as innovative cocktails and other drinks. This bar offers private space for couples or families on demand and has a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff here.
The bar with lunch setting, live music, creative cocktails, and delicious cuisine here which lets you escape from the vibrant street of Kensington.
- Address: 159, Old Brompton Road,, Kensington, SW5, 0LJ, London
- Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7:00 pm to 2:00 am
- Contact: 020 737 319 26
- Website: www.namlong.co.uk
Humphrey’s Bar
Humphery Bar is the gastropub together with the upscale hotel bar in south Kensington. The Humphery bar offers wine, beer, cocktails as well as classic pub food along with drinks.
Their inviting ambience and beautiful decor are enough to hold you there and enjoy the drinks. Google offers this bar a rating of 4.2 out of 5 and the Yelp site offers a rating of 2 out of 5.
- Address: 4-18 Herrington Gardens, Kensington, SW7 4LH, London
- Opening hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Contact: 020 733 161 69
- Website: www.millenniumhotels.com
Kosmopol Bar
Kosmolpol Bar serves you Swedish-style cocktails. This is an award-winning bar in Kensington crafted with the Scandinavian design along with the relaxed cocktail bars and buzzing basement club for weekend parties.
This bar offers an extensive range of cocktails and an exclusive range of beers and hot god if you want a late-night snack.
The welcoming ambience and awesome table services make this bar different from others.
According to Google and Yelp sites, people offer them a 4.2 and 3.8 rating out of 5 respectively.
- Address: 138 Fulham Road, Kensington, Chelsea, SW10 9PY, London
- Opening hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Thursday: 5:30 to 1:00 am
- Friday and Saturday: 5:30 pm to 2 am
- Sunday: 5:00 pm to 12:30 am
- Contact: 020 756 509 11
- Website: www.kosmopollondon.co.uk
ESQ
ESQ is the upscale laid-back venue and cocktail lounge. ESQs are specialized in creative cocktails using home-infused spirits which are served along with some indulge nibbles.
If you are seeking a classy spot for a date night or you want to spend the chilling weekend with your friends or partner the ESQ is the best place here.
According to Google, this bar has a 4.7 rating out of 5 and positive reviews from their satisfied guests. I will recommend this bar to visit once if you are localities in Kensington or a visitor here.
- Address: 100, Queens Gate, Kensington, SW7 5 AG, London
- Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:30 am to 11:00 pm
- Friday and Saturday: 10:30 am to 12:00 am
- Sunday: 10:30 am to 11:00 pm
- Contact: 020 737 378 78
- Website: www.100queensgate.com
Conclusion
In conclusion, South Kensington offers a vibrant mix of bars, from cosy pubs to chic cocktail lounges like Bar 190, K Bar, and ESQ, each with its unique charm.
Beyond great drinks and ambience, these spots foster a sense of community. So, plan your next weekend in South Kensington and enjoy its lively bar scene. Cheers!