Cool Bars in London

Whether you want to plan a special celebration, impress someone with your knowledge of the latest hang outs, or simply have a cracking night out with the girls or lads, these are the coolest places to drink in London. Officially! (OK not officially but just the ones we like best.)

Ice Bar

Book your slot, don your poncho and settle down for a nice-cold, ice-cold vodka cocktail at the newly refurbished Ice Bar. Everything in this bar is made entirely out of imported Swedish ice, including the stools, tables and glasses. The new "factory concept" features industrial cog wheels, pipes and warning sounds. This novelty bar is the first of its kind in London and perfect for those needing to chill out (geddit?).

Pigalle Club

If you're looking for sophisticated elegance, you can't go far wrong with Le Pigalle Club. This new supper club will take you back to the glamorous era of the 1940s. Dine on home-cured salmon with gravadlax sauce and pan-seared gingered tiger prawns with crab rice, while listening to live acts from up-and-coming artists to big-named veterans like Shirley Bassey and Van Morrison.

Loungelover

OK, listen up. This bar is seriously cool. Loungelover is the sister bar to the lavish Les Trois Garçons (which is just around the corner). The beautiful lounge is adorned with unique pieces of antique furniture and colourful details that will have you marvelling all the way to the cocktail list, which is also superb. Sip on Eastern Promise made with Sputnik rose petal flavoured Russian vodka and lychee liqueur, and Thai Breakers, made with coriander, ginger, passion fruit, kalamansi juices and coconut liqueur.

Lucky Voice

Choose from over 5,000 classic songs, and sing in your own plush, private booth with your favourite (and most out of tune to make you sound better) friends at Lucky Voice. This is London's coolest karaoke bar by far. It features nine individual rooms, each with an "I'm Thirsty" button to hail the waiter and order drinks like Ginseng Margarita, Love Hotel and Lucky Destiny. But make sure you plan in advance. This place is popular.

Shochu Lounge

Underneath Roka, you'll find the chic Shochu Lounge. This bar is a cut above the rest. You can even have a bespoke shochu cocktail mixed up from all of your favourite fruits, scents and colours. Ask at the bar for details, but only if you're feeling flush.

Sketch

Chic and elegant, Sketch has an egg-shaped bar with a bit of a retro feel. The venue covers a number of different bars and restaurants. So, from luxurious opulence to informal fun, there's a setting to suit every mood. Something of a temple to food, drink, music and art, Sketch even has a gallery thrown in for good measure.

Trailer Happiness

Self-titled as "a retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded trailer park glamour", Trailer Happiness is a great little hideaway on Portobello Road. The cocktail menu is kicking. Try the rum-based Scorpion Bowls and Zombies, both designed for sharing. You can even buy your own tiki shot mug and keep it at the bar.

Volupte Lounge

This sexy burlesque cabaret club will jazz up any night out. Drink Japanese Slippers and French Martinis then kick back and enjoy fabulous cabaret acts. And best of all, we think, are Volupte Lounge's afternoon teas made up of apricot scones, frosted lemon butter cakes, mini raspberry custard tarts and double chocolate and hazelnut brownies.