Inside London’s Most Sophisticated Cocktail Bars
with Santiago Lastra
London’s bar culture is as refined as it is diverse, offering everything from timeless classics to inventive creations, all served with impeccable craftsmanship. Whether you’re seeking a pre-dinner aperitif, a smooth nightcap, or drinks to stretch the night into the early hours, the city’s cocktail scene delivers. Michelin-starred chef and cocktail aficionado Santiago Lastra shares his favorite places with the perfect mix of atmosphere, technique, and taste.
(Drinks) Santiago Lastra’s appreciation for a well-made cocktail is palpable in his own restaurant. KOL offers a dedicated drinks and mezcal pairing—each designed to complement the interplay of rich Mexican culture and seasonal British produce that defines Chef Lastra’s cuisine. The KOL Mezcaleria beneath the restaurant extends this philosophy further, serving cocktails that showcase Mexico’s most revered alcoholic spirit paired with British ingredients. Working directly with independent Mexican distillers, Santiago Lastra and Group Bars Manager Matthias Ingelmann have curated one of the UK’s largest and most unique collections of mezcals and other premium Mexican spirits.
For an aperitif: Bar Termini
“At Bar Termini, they serve literally the best Negronis in London. In this small Italian bar and coffee shop, you feel like you’re in a train station in another country. Try their Negroni Robusto!”
For a great night out: Equal Parts
“Equal Parts is incredible. They have a list of drinks with equal parts of each spirit, hence the name. What’s also interesting is that they use bottles of wine to make their cocktails and wine reductions.”
For late-night drinks: A Bar With Shapes For A Name
“In London, we just call it Shapes. Their cocktails are super creative and delicious, and the atmosphere is great. With all the equipment for distilling and their experiments, it feels like a lab. Since they don’t close until four in the morning, it’s good to end your night here.”
For a special occasion: The Connaught Bar
“My tip for a special evening at an amazing place: a Martini in the Connaught Bar at the Connaught Hotel.”
For an introduction to Mexican spirits: KOL Mezcaleria
“Highlights from the cocktail list include a Sorrel and Hop Sour, utilizing native sorrel and agave sourced from Guerrero and blended with tequila, and Hot & Cold, a dessert-based cocktail featuring a mezcal distilled with coffee and an infused white chocolate foam with woodruff notes.”