This fancy London bar was just crowned the best in the world

We’ve got bars on the brain at the moment and it seems like we’re not the only ones. 

Just days after Time Out named London’s Best Bar for 2025, Side Hustle at the NoMad London has been honoured with the title of ‘Best International Hotel Bar’ at the 19th annual Spirited Awards.

Covent Garden’s Side Hustle is a favourite with us too. ‘While you might find more extensive collections of tequila and mezcal elsewhere, few agave-focused bars can match the sophistication of this elegant Latin American-themed spot in the Grade II-listed former Police Station that now houses the NoMad hotel,’ reads the Time Out review.

‘There’s an old-school gentleman’s club kind of grandeur to this low-lit space, decked out in dark wood booths, green leather seating, an imposing marble-topped bar and walls covered in vibrant photographs taken on the streets of London and Southern California.’

Side Hustle features in Time Out’s list of the best hotel bars in London, and has been open since 2021. The NoMad also recently revamped its in-house restaurant, renaming it Twenty8 NoMad. Read our review here. 

The Spirited Awards take place as part of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation and the winners were announced in New Orleans on July 24. The awards are voted on by a panel of 250 industry experts, including London bar pro Mr Lyan aka Ryan Chetiyawardana, who is the international Spirited Awards chair, and who also recently helped Time Out decide on London’s best first date bars.  

Spirited Awards’ biggest gong of the night is for World’s Best Bar, which was given to Kumiko in Chicago, while the World’s Best Cocktail Menu was won by Panda & Sons in Edinburgh.

Side Hustle: 28 Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7AW

Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.