The 7 best bars in Borough

Seated on top of Colechurch House is London Bridge Rooftop. It’s a bit of a maze to find, but once you do, it does prove to be worth the effort.

London Bridge Rooftop delivers on all that matters. Think drinks, food, drinks and vibes front and managing the great feat of being a rooftop venue in London Bridge.

Choose a bite to eat on their Spanish menu or take your pick of a selection of cocktails, wine and draft beer, sit back, take in the city views and enjoy the live DJ sessions.

With a capacity for up to 220 people, it’s a pretty good venue for summer and winter parties (it’s covered and heated). Come summer or winter, rain or shine, hopefully, you now know where to find London Bridge Rooftop.

A short walk from Borough, Mala Madre is the jewel in the crown of The Last Talisman.

It is quite literally a bar-within-a-bar that celebrates a fusion of Colombian and Balinese cuisine. This private space offers stylish refuge to those who can find it.

Try a range of exciting cocktails and a creative bespoke menu that compliments the Asian grill of The Last Talisman. Specialities include pisco and tequila mixes so grab your closest and escape the city in this magical spot.

Whipping up Smokey Ginger Fashioneds, rainbow cocktails, Aperol Spritz, and martinis is Whiskey Ginger, the popular cocktail bar overlooking Borough Market.

Maybe it’s the exposed brick walls, the shaded outdoor area, the neon sign, the lived-in interiors or the menu that serves up hotdogs and burgers but Whiskey Ginger feels very much like a NY bar you’d stumble across after walking a few blocks.

Stop by any day of the week (but Fridays are live DJ nights), find yourself a seat and enjoy the next few hours. Or better yet, head upstairs for a spot of drinks (and people-watching).

All that’s left to decide is what to drink. With over 50 types of whiskey, we think that might be a good place to start.

Nestled on Park Street, is the Spanish bar, Daskal. Named after the artist (and granddad to the owners) Vladimir Daskaloff, the bar is understated in that Architectural Digest, Vogue 73 Questions kind of way.

Pick from a selection of Spanish tapas, wine and cocktails and be transported to sunnier scenes.

It’s warm and inviting and beckons you to come and sit down for a drink or two. Sounds like a good idea to us.

Pull up a stool and grab a pint at this casual Borough bar. One of the things The Rake does well is beer. The self-proclaimed “speciality beer bar” admittedly does have a large range of beers.

From draft to bottled beers, there’s usually a pick of real ale and draught beer to choose from.

While you pick your ale of choice, take note of the walls of words (and check if you can leave your own).

Find them on Winchester Walk (opposite the Franco Manca).

The chorus of different conversations and laughter. The clinking of glasses and clank of cutlery. Sometimes being in good company makes a bar that much better.

Great Guns Social seem to have caught on to this. What with their warm colours, neighbouring tables and chairs placed closely together, comfy booths and low lighting, everything screams (or rather, whispers) intimate. Conservations are meant to be had.

Choose from a selection of cocktails (Appletini or Candy Crush?), draught beer, wine and champagne – but don’t forget about the food. It matters as much as the drinks do as the bar has been host to many a celebrity chef.

Pop in for tasting dinners, supper clubs, live music, and bar quizzes. It’s all about community over here. Or drop them a line about private hire.

Located right next to London Bridge station, Vinegar Yard is a great Borough bar, ready to serve you your next drink in style.

This is a versatile venue, featuring a plethora of drinks, food, a flea market and art to enjoy, all in one place. In the Summer, the venue expands outside so that the sunshine accompanies your drinking experience, while in the winter you can nestle into the long-stretching tent, featuring outdoor heating. Or you could even venture indoors and revel between the two bars.

If you're looking to take it one step further and share a drink with your nearest and dearest intimately, outdoor booking and private room hire are available. Whether you decide to spend your time outdoors, with tables for up to 29 guests or have a tailor-made experience inside, for 30 guests or more, it's up to you.