Quiet bars in London - Milroy's

Quiet bars in London where you can actually hear yourself think

A quiet word about bars where you can chill out and not shout

Advertising

Do you like having to yell at your friends when you go out drinking together? Fine, it’s your shout. We like to cater for everybody, so we’ve put together a list of ten places where talking is easier – ideal for those quiet catch-ups or maybe even date night. Of course, any bar can get a bit noisy if there’s a large and rowdy crowd in. But these places are all top bets if you don’t want to run in a hoarse-race.

Quiet bars in London

  • Hotels
  • Luxury hotels
  • St James’s
Dukes
Dukes

This Mayfair haunt is the ultimate hotel bar, stately-home luxurious and warmly welcoming. The drinks cost a fortune, but they’re so strong you can’t have more than one without slipping into a coma. And the bottomless bowls of nibbles are a meal in themselves. 

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Clerkenwell
  • price 3 of 4
Zetter Townhouse
Zetter Townhouse

Wackily over-decorated and deeply comfortable, the Zetter is the most distinctive bar in Clerkenwell, and perfect for a quiet rendezvous or catch-up with friends. Drinks are reasonably priced for this level of quality, comfort – and quiet. 

Advertising
  • Cocktail bars
  • Bethnal Green
  • price 2 of 4
Peg & Patriot
Peg & Patriot

Part of the swanky Town Hall Hotel, P&P is chic in a very understated way. Furnishings are easy on the eye, and you’re given plenty of space at the tables. Punning cocktail names will make you wince with pain; friendly bar staff will soothe it away. 

  • Cocktail bars
  • Soho
Ham Yard Bar
Ham Yard Bar

Is it warm enough to sit outside? Then cross your fingers for one of the few courtyard tables allocated to barflies at this Soho spot. But you won’t be sorry at the large indoor bar, either. Prices are high, but no higher than a lot of swish London hotel bars. 

Advertising
  • Cocktail bars
  • Soho
  • price 2 of 4

This is the landing pad of choice for drinkers of every age seeking a great, well priced cocktail in a low-noise space in the heart of the West End. And how often do you see those words in the same sentence? Go on, think about it.  

  • Cocktail bars
  • Angel
  • price 3 of 4
69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke Row

This flagship of cocktail wizard Tony Conigliaro’s fleet is actually dinghy-sized, which means two things. One: you need to book. Two: you’ll be able to talk without shouting, even when the pianist is in full flow. 

Advertising
  • Wine bars
  • King’s Cross
  • price 2 of 4
Bar Pepito
Bar Pepito

You don’t have to speak Spanish here to feel Spanish, savouring sherry and tapas with a huge crowd of fellow aficionados – maybe as many as 20 if the place is full. King’s Cross is 100 feet away; it feels like a million miles. 

  • Shopping
  • Specialist food and drink
  • Soho
Milroy's of Soho
Milroy's of Soho

The ground-floor whisky bar is as quiet as bars get: it seats around ten. For cocktails, go through the false bookcase to the basement; it’s pretty quiet there, too, if not pin-drop material. 

Advertising
  • Kentish Town
  • price 2 of 4
Knowhere Special
Knowhere Special

This cool-looking Kentish Town basement bar plays great music at a tasteful volume, and if you’re in one of the ‘cells’ (this used to be a police station), you’re in your own little world. Very special.

  • Cocktail bars
  • Fitzrovia
  • price 3 of 4

Quiet times here mean Monday evening and Tuesday-Saturday before 8pm. That’s when the crowds – and the DJ – arrive. Early birds might have the place to themselves. Subterranean bliss. 

Recommended
    London for less
      You may also like
      You may also like
      Advertising