Once upon a time, pulling up a seat at the bar could only be done with a cocktail, whisky, or glass of wine in hand. But not anymore. If you’re one of the many people planning on cutting back on the booze, then fear not: that doesn’t mean missing out on all the fun. From Mayfair to Shoreditch, and Notting Hill to Tower Hill, we have rounded up the best London bars for alcohol-free drinking, serving fruity blends, CBD infusions and stylish, luxurious tea pairings.

Swift, Borough

Tempest mocktail

Swift in Borough is the perfect place for those looking to escape the bustle of the nearby market. While the brand, with outposts spanning Soho to Shoreditch, is famed for its award-winning cocktails, the low and no menus are also worth a try. Nip downstairs to discover the private seated-only area which offers stronger cocktails, or enjoy a light and low ABV aperitivo-style drinks upstairs. A menu highlight is The Tempest, made with Darjeeling kombucha, elderflower cordial, lemon sherbet and honey. Using a subtle fermented tea as a base, this cocktail is floral, citric and herbaceous, proving mocktails can be just as flavourful as their alcoholic siblings. 

66 Borough High Street, SE1 1XF, visit barswift.com

The Donovan Bar, Mayfair

Image: Janos Grapow

The Donovan Bar, located inside the historic Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, has launched a new cocktail menu, Happily Ever After, by master mixologists Salvatore Calabrese and Federico Pavan. Aiming to take you on a journey through the emotions and wonder of a classic fairytale, each cocktail’s flavours, ingredients and techniques have been inspired by stories such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan and Little Red Riding Hood. The menu also features a wide selection of low ABV and non-alcoholic options, as well as many of the usual suspects replicated in non-alcoholic form. Our favourite is Head in the Clouds, featuring non-alcoholic Seedlip gin, kiwi and pea.

33 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BP, visit roccofortehotels.com

Baccarat Bar, Knightsbridge

Located in the basement of Harrods in Knightsbridge, Baccarat Bar has launched a new menu, Through the Creative Lens, which takes its cues from the creativity and craft of photography. Inspired by 10 creative lenses, filters and effects, the new menu features 19 refined cocktails and mocktails served in luxurious Baccarat glassware. The elevated non-alcoholic selection, served in dimly-lit and ruby-hued surroundings, includes the Heatwave: Everleaf Forest, salted mango, penja pepper and Earl Grey tea served in a Louxor tumbler.

87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL, visit harrods.com

Artesian at The Langham, Marylebone

Set within the luxurious five-star London hotel, The Langham’s destination bar Artesian is famed for its cocktails. Following the success of her first menu, head mixologist Giulia Cuccurullo has built on her Ingredients of the Future concept to create Alter Ego: a collection of 16 serves crafted with futureproof ingredients, each celebrating a single ingredient which contributes to a healthier planet. Non-alcoholic options include the Melon – featuring sweet potato, Seedlip Garden and Oddbird Blanc de Blancs alongside hints of melon – and Orange, mixing Martini Vibrante, Everleaf Forest, pepper and vanilla. Who said being dry had to be, well, dry?

1C Portland Place, W1B 1JA, visit artesian-bar.co.uk

The Goring Bar, Victoria

Proudly mixing some of the best cocktails in the capital for more than a century, the menu at The Goring screams Best of British – and the non-alcoholic versions aren’t lacking in patriotic spirit. We can’t get enough of the Victory Tea, inspired by weekly visitor Winston Churchill, who would come for afternoon tea with his mother – a permanent hotel resident. It's a perfect blend of Everleaf Forest, raspberry syrup, cranberry juice, and citric solution, topped with Frankly and Sons grapefruit tonic. Elsewhere, Mister M also features Everleaf Forest with raspberry basil cordial and rhubarb and hibiscus soda, while the Teetotaller draws on summery notes of orange, elderflower, garden mint and lemonade. Keep calm and stay sober.

15 Beeston Place, SW1W 0JW, visit thegoring.com

The Dandy Bar, Mayfair

An all-day dining destination that transforms into an all-out evening ‘experience’, the Dandy Bar is the heart and soul of the Mayfair Townhouse – whether you’re partaking in the hedonism or not. Having recently partnered with drinks expert Olly Smith, the bar now serves an exclusive collection of eight non-alcoholic cocktails. May we recommend the three house signatures: the Mango Colada; the sparkling Cherry Blossom with a lively yuzu blend, and our personal favourite, Raspberry Mini Egg Cream Soda. Featuring hints of chocolate and raspberry, this is the most indulgent mocktail in town.

27-41 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BG, themayfairtownhouse.com

The Hari Bar, Belgravia

Located in the heart of Belgravia and adorned with an impressive rota of incredible art, The Hari Bar is an intimate and glamorous sanctuary brimming with stylish, swanky mocktails that won’t leave you feeling ‘less than’. The Sweet Seduction is a dangerously drinkable combination of passionfruit, apple juice, honey and aloe vera, while the simple but no less delicious Cranberry Sour mixes cranberry, lime and egg white. For something refreshing, go for the Gardener's Tipple with its blend of apple, lemongrass, basil, berries and ginger beer, while Moroccan Nights is ideal for those craving a mojito. 

20 Chesham Place, SW1X 8HQ, visit thehari.com

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