The best bars in Notting Hill

This popular Portobello Road basement establishment calls itself a tiki bar, but the vintage decor resists simple categorisation. It looks like a suburban-American rumpus room from the mid-1960s, but underneath the thick layer of kitsch is a very good cocktail bar; the bartenders know their business. They also spin a great vintage playlist.

A 'zero-waste' agaveria, Viajante 87 is all about cocktails with class. Barstaff here are fermenting and pickling where others are simply pulling pints, while the majority of ingredients come from sister restaurant Los Mochis, with the leftovers elegantly turned into incredible drinks. Tequila is the done thing here – you might end up with a headache the next day, but at least your conscience will be clear. 

Caia is a tale of two venues. The upstairs room is full of chic bar stools to perch on and floor-to-ceiling bottles while the basement is pure ’70s house party, with kitschy-cool velvet seating, chandeliers and even a disco ball. And here’s the kicker: on the far wall is a massive vintage record stand, bedecked with retro vinyl and three turntables. The swish speakers pump out funk, disco and jazz, all curated by Noreen McShane of Stranger Than Paradise Records. Try the small plates food, too, but the cocktails are really where it's at. 

This freshly spruced-up Notting Hill boozer has been given the gastropub treatment and is now one of the fanciest drinking holes in London. Its stripped-back but still welcoming interior houses diners tucking into a modern British menu laden with eclectic delights including mince on toast, potted shrimp, and tomahawk steak. 

Gold has a full contemporary list of low intervention, organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Many from recognisable appellations, some from lesser known regions known for high quality production and a handful of the unusual. Their food is great too, with seasonal ingredients and the use of wood roasting, charring and slow cooking.

With a fictional flatshare concept, The Little Yellow Door hosts some of the best supper clubs, cocktails and boozy brunches in town. On the menu you'll find a house rum punch, premium G&Ts and creative twists on well loved classics – and make sure you swing by for £5 picantes every Wednesday to Friday. There's history here too – the first contract for Notting Hill Carnival was written up and signed in the bar's den.