Our selection of the best South Kensington bars

Bar 190 is located inside The Gore Hotel steps away from Hyde Park. It's a posh bar with cosy seats, mood lighting and classic Victorian charm. But Bar 190 serves more than just great cocktails — it’s a piece of rock and roll history. The Rolling Stones used this South Kensington bar for their Beggars Banquet album photoshoot and launch party in 1968 and it’s these photos that adorn the walls.

Bar 190’s signature cocktail menu draws inspiration from the hotel’s 130-plus years of history, like the Miss Ada and Miss Fanny cocktail named after the hotel’s founders. It’s definitely on the fancier side, but Bar 190 is just the place to pop into right after watching a show at the Royal Albert Hall, and the cocktails are worth the price tag.

Amaro is a cocktail bar located on Kensington High Street near Hyde Park. Despite being on a busy street, the bar feels very secluded from the hustle and bustle. It’s dark and moody with a relaxed ambience, and there are subtle tropical touches best seen in the leafy bar chairs.

Amaro has almost every drink in existence on its menu, but the cocktails are a must. The Yoghurt Clover Club cocktail is one of Amaro’s most unique drinks made with gin, raspberry-flavoured syrup, yogurt, vermouth, lemon, and milk — it may sound strange but trust us, it all comes together. This South Kensington bar also makes a variety of vintage cocktails that are all made with products dating back to the 1960s.

Stables Bar is located inside the Milestone Hotel just across from Hyde Park. It was originally a stable for horses back in the day, but now it’s a fancy equestrian-themed bar that’s a mix of classy and creative with horse paintings on the walls (the theme is taken very seriously here), wood panelling throughout, and green accented carpets.

This South Kensington bar has horse-themed names for all its signature cocktails. We love Stables Bar’s Chasing Dreams cocktail made with vodka, passion fruit, lemon, and grapefruit soda. Be sure to gallop to Stables Bar the next time you want to sip opulent cocktails at an equally opulent bar.

The Devonshire Arms is located on one of South Kensington’s many residential streets and is a short walk from Gloucester Road station. It has been serving drinks in the community since 1851, becoming a foundation and meeting place for the neighbourhood. The grey exterior may seem a bit unassuming but a further look inside will show a bright and colourful pub that blends traditional and modern elements.

As for drinks, The Devonshire Arms has a robust selection of wines, beers, cocktails, and spirits. It’s a top-pick South Kensington bar that is great for drinks after shopping at High Street Kensington or for a casual session.

Tucked inside The Kensington Hotel near South Kensington station is the K Bar. Its sophisticated decor, wood panelling, and elegant crystal chandeliers make it feel like you’re drinking amongst London’s wealthiest — so be sure you dress to impress and leave your trainers at home.

This swish South Kensington bar has an all-encompassing menu, but we really rate the Basil Smash cocktail, it’s the perfect pick-me-up after a long day, but, truth be told, any of the fancy cocktails here hit the mark.

A short walk from Earl’s Court station is The Scarsdale Tavern, a classic pub with all the trimmings — a plethora of hanging flower baskets, historic portraits on the walls, and traditional wooden finishings.

The seasonal British menu showcases elevated pub dining of a quality Londoners have come to expect from a Fuller’s pub. It’s quite the picturesque classic pub – yet another trademark of Fuller’s, and a great location for private hire for a special occasion. Whilst there’s nothing particularly standout, this South Kensington bar is classic, pretty, and does what it does well, and is top-pick for private hire.

In the heart of South Kensington is ESQ, a bar and restaurant situated on the lower ground floor of the 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel. Just a quick walk from Gloucester Road station, this South Kensington bar has a swish look to it with dim lights and luxe furniture.

ESQ Bar has one of our favourite cocktail menus, the signature drinks are inspired by the spirits and flavours of East Asia, utilising Japanese whiskey, vodka, and shochu.

As far as we’re concerned, this South Kensington bar has perfected two very fine elements of the cocktail bar — top-notch cocktails and live music, especially music of the Jazz variety, but then, Japanese whiskey and Jazz music are a match made in heaven.

Amid the many stiff-lipped cocktail bars in South Kensington is The Gloucester Arms, a corner pub down the street from Gloucester Road station. It's a typical Greene King pub inside a Grade II listed 19th-century building with the ever-present hanging flower baskets and a beer garden.

If you’re looking for some semblance of normalcy in South Ken, The Gloucester Arms is just the place to go. Enjoy traditional drink offerings like craft beers, wines, a decent selection of cocktails, and classic pub food at this South Kensington bar.

In the heart of South Kensington is the Duke of Clarence, a pub that’s great for catching a few pints and the football on one of its five big screens. It's your usual sports pub with all the bells and whistles.

For a pub that pitches itself as the destination to catch sport, we’re more than a little amused by its rather, shall we say, intellectual decor — there are bookshelves and some interesting art on the walls. Not your typical sports pub, and not your typical South Kensington bar.

Another reliable spot for a good private hire booking for a special occasion.

The Hereford Arms is another classic Fuller’s pub near Glocester Road station. In true South Kensington fashion, it's all white on the outside with an adornment of hanging plants. The interior is more in tune with pub aesthetics with wooden furniture, flooring, and exposed brick.

This South Kensington bar is known for one of its most famous patrons, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who increased the pub’s popularity by naming his most recognized detective after a block of flats nearby. If you’re looking to become the next Doyle or any other widely celebrated author, stop by for a pint and enjoy it outside in the pub’s garden whilst you scribble in your notebook (or write on your laptop).

Have a special occasion? The Hitchcock Corner at the Hereford Arms is available for private hire for secluded social gatherings. The area can be booked for parties of up to 15 seated and 20 standing.