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Time Out has just announced our brand new list of the best 50 bars in London for 2026 and it’s filled with our favourite places to drink in the capital.
But which bar in the list is the greatest newcomer? Well, the highest ranking newly-opened business was Tramps Bar in Islington which opened earlier this year. Why do we like it so much? Let us count the ways.
Firstly there’s the building itself. This semi-municipal white cube space can be found behind the 24-hour McDonald’s on City Road on the fringes of Islington. It’s a bit of a quest to find it, which makes it all the more intriguing.
Situated at 15f Micawber Street, the front door has a handmade sign (seemingly written by a child in felt tip pen). Inside, there are a few splashy, modern canvases on the walls and a curvy, freestanding vintage bar. The paintings make sense – the bar is the project of acclaimed artist Peter Doig and his gallerist partner Parinaz Mogadassi, who runs a roaming gallery also called Tramps.
On a weekly-changing menu you’ll find gin martinis and a regularly changing short cocktail and aperitivo menu. ‘The drinks offering is deft, impressive and nonchalant,’ reads our five star review. There’s also a kitchen, with former River Cafe chef Harry McKenzie knocking out extremely decent weekday lunches. (The bar isn’t open on the weekends, which is quite a power move.)
In the evenings, there are often guest DJs, who play vinyl through two mammoth-sized speakers, which allegedly once belonged to Florian Schneider of German electro-pioneers Kraftwerk. What’s not to like?
Find out which London bar came number one in our list of the best places to drink in London here.
Tramps Bar, 15f Micawber Street, Islington, N1 7TB
The best bars in London for 2026, according to Time Out.
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