It’s easy to flinch at the weekly email klaxon for after-work drinks, predicting if you can afford another round of £8 pints. Drinking in London is expensive – but it doesn’t have to be.
Year after year, more London pubs and bars embrace New York’s ‘Happy hour’ culture, and in 2024 there are some deals you won’t want to miss. Here are some of London’s best happy hours to keep you and your wallet happy.
Luci Restaurant, Covent Garden
This deal is so good it’s hard to believe there isn’t a catch. Italian restaurant Luci brings Sicily to London and offers its new ‘Aperitivo Hour’. Featuring a 2-for-1 on a range of Italian-inspired cocktails, wine and prosecco, the offer is paired with a range of complimentary bottomless Cicchetti plates.
136 Long Acre, London WC2E 9AA
Simmons Bars
Simmons has been the reigning champion of the best happy hour deal in London for years, and for good reason too. The bustling chain is offering 2-for-1 cocktails Sunday to Friday, from 4pm to 9pm, including spirits and mixers for a dangerously low £2.50, wine and beer for £3.00 and bottles of prosecco for £20 .
With locations encased in kitsch vintage decor and low-level neon lighting, with prices that can’t be missed, it’s easy to see why they’re a firm fan favorite.
Different places
Fam Bar, Marylebone
Just off Oxford Street is Fam bar, an 80s-inspired lounge drinking bar that offers one of London’s cheapest happy hours. From 4pm to close on Tuesdays, and from 4pm to 7pm Wednesday to Saturday, this relaxed establishment serves £8 cocktails and £4 beers, as well as bottles of prosecco for just £22.
Decorated with records and photographs, and with a warm and friendly crowd, this garden bar is coming in surprisingly hot as one of central London’s best happy hour offerings.
Corner of Picton Place &, 31 Duke St, London W1U 1LG
Thirst, Soho
This Greek staple’s “silly hour” lives up to its name, because it’s stupidly good. Thirst’s ‘stupid hour’ from 6-8pm delivers cocktails for just £7, which is then followed by a happy hour between 8-10pm. For four hours, cocktails, beer and bottles of wine flow for less than full price.
The trendy, low-lit bar effortlessly serves expertly selected cocktails that taste more expensive than they are, and at £7 a pop, you’re getting a lot more than you bargained for.
53 Greek St, London W1D 3DR
Victoria, Battersea
South of the river is an unassuming pub with an unbeatable range of offerings. Open until 12pm midweek and 2am Friday and Saturday, The Victoria Pub honors a huge range of weekday deals, including two Aperol Spritz for £12, two frozen cocktails for £10, 2-for-1 on spirits and mixers, four shots for as little as £12, and much more.
With slanted tables and dated decor, this independently run pub has a loyal following of regulars who have been drinking kegs dry for years. This humble pub has been kept a local secret, and when you get to dance on the tables until 2am with a £5 cocktail, it’s easy to see why.
166, Queenstown Road, Battersea
Megan’s restaurants
Someone say £5 cocktails? Megan’s offers a Monday to Friday happy hour deal of £5 between 4pm and 7pm, including Bellinis and Aperol Spritz, and also vodka mixers. In addition, their range of house wines, beer and soft ice cream is included.
Can’t make the after work drinks? The offer also extends to their ‘NightCap’ offer, so you can also grab the bargain booze from 9pm onwards every day!
Different places
Ridley Road Market Bar, Dalston
Think club Tropicana mixed with Will Byer’s living room, but with dangerously cheap drinks. Ridley Road Market bar is a hidden gem for those in the know, offering two drinks on their menu for just £10!
The menu is modest, but from cocktails to craft there’s something for everyone, and with a roaring dance floor and live DJ, it’s one of the coolest bars in 2024!
The offer runs from 18.00-21.00, Tuesday to Friday.
49 Ridley Rd, London E8 2NP
Big Easy restaurants
Big Easy is known for its disproportionately large selection of spirits for a barbecue and makes the most of it. The Texas-inspired BBQ-Crabshack chain is offering 2-for-1 on ALL beverages, from cocktails and beer to wine and spirits.
With beers from just £3.10, prosecco from £4.45 and cocktails from £5, this western dig adds real value to an already affordable menu. The deal runs at all their locations from Monday to Thursday, right through to the end of October!
Different places
Keep up to date with London’s hottest events, latest restaurant openings and best deals with our Going Out newsletter. Register HERE!
