It’s common knowledge these days that nights out in London are pricier than in most cities. The various costs can easily make a dent; taxis, rounds of eye-wateringly expensive cocktails and mixers, food, those shots you’re definitely going to regret tomorrow… It’s rough out there. However, where there’s a will there’s a way, and London’s vast array of bars means there are plenty of amazing happy hour deals to take advantage of.
December embodies the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra – particularly in the office, where work socials are in full swing. Why not let your hair down with colleagues at one of Hubble’s favourite spots? From 2-for-1 cocktails at uber-trendy Tonight Josephine to the infamous ‘Stupid Hours’ at Thirst, here are five of our favourite locations for happy hours in London.
Patch East
What better way to start this list than with Patch East? This bar recently won an award for ‘Best Happy Hours in the City’ by UK nightlife authority DesignMyNight, and it’s easy to see why – it’s their speciality! Some of their ‘bespoke’ cocktails are 2-for-1 from 4–7pm Monday to Friday, and there are a range of fantastic deals – such as bottles of wine and house spirits at 50% off. Not many happy hour deals are this far-reaching! It’s an ideal choice for larger groups – perfect for the upcoming Christmas festivities. The interior is a spacious, vibrant affair, implementing a variety of funky patterns to provide a cool backdrop for cocktail sipping.
Barsmith
Situated on St John Street, with Farringdon and Barbican tube stations only three minutes away, Barsmith has been referred to as a ‘concept bar’ (and informal pizzeria), utilising the finest ingredients to make cocktails and spirits through a mysterious “variety of processes”. Barsmith’s happy hours are 5–9pm Monday to Saturday on 2-for-1 cocktails including the ‘Message from Mexico’, ‘Le Citron Rose’, and more – although sadly this doesn’t apply to the £75 behemoth that is the ‘Treasure Chest’ (a literal chest of alcohol). The offer extends to pizzas, too, making this a one-stop-shop for the whole night. For private events there’s a raised private area of the bar, with its very own stockable fridge.
Golden Bee – Shoreditch
Our art director Vasiliki’s rave review about this place ensured that it made it onto the list. She’s clearly got taste! Based in Shoreditch and only a few minutes away from Old Street tube station, this sleek and atmospheric space spanning three levels is the perfect setting for happy hours, no matter the occasion. The pièce de résistance is the tropical-themed roof terrace, complete with a fire pit and palm trees. Before you think the inevitable, don’t worry: there’s a canopy for the London rain. From 5–7 PM Monday to Thursday, they have 2-for-1 cocktails and mixers and specially-priced beers, wine, and champagne. Sound good? You can book a table for free, and if you want to really push the boat out, there’s a VIP rooftop area (pictured above).
Thirst Bar
Another DesignMyNight award-winner, Thirst cocktail bar in Soho is happy hour city. If bang for your buck is your goal, you can’t go wrong here. It’s unreal! The main event is the self-professed ‘Stupid Hours’, which lasts from 4–9PM Monday to Saturday, where a variety of cocktails are only £6. As if they weren’t being generous enough, a ‘regular’ happy hour is stacked on top from Monday to Thursday until midnight. Combined with the fact that Thirst doesn’t close its doors until 3am, it’s the perfect place to go ‘out out’ without breaking the bank. Thanks to Hannah for this amazing recommendation.
Tonight Josephine
Could a bar be more photogenic? Inspired by the First Empress of France Josephine de Beauharnais, Tonight Josephine is a pretty-in-pink gem, conveniently located opposite Waterloo tube station. The interior lives and breathes the bar’s values; from the rose-adorned ‘Lady Garden’ to the neon female empowerment signs on most walls, it’s a place for people to be seen, and will give colleagues who are missing out serious FOMO the next morning! Such an experience doesn’t need to break the bank either; from 5–7PM every day, there’s 2-for-1 on cocktails and special deals on other drinks, making Tonight Josephine wallet-friendly as well as Instagram-friendly.
Why should the fun stop once the night ends? We have hundreds of offices on our platform that offer excellent leisure facilities such as game rooms, free bars, exclusive event access, and much more. Find your dream space and book a viewing in only a few clicks.
