Swift
So this is cheating a little given Swift has two locations and I'll include both as this item. But it's better for you this way (and I only have your best interests at heart), because no matter if you're West Side or East Side, you're covered. Both have a similar vibe, the Shoreditch one being possibly slightly more chill, and the Soho one (the original) is certainly bigger with it's downstairs area, but both have amazing service, make amazing cocktails, and most importantly, know what the hell they're talking about, so feel free to order off menu. In fact, I recommend that you do, because their ability to mix up a classic is nearly second to none, and normally more interesting than signature cocktails, here and anywhere. Except for their Irish Coffee, get that, it's the best in London, if they say so themselves.
Shoreditch: 91-93 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3HZ
Soho: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ
Termini
Directly opposite Swift in Old Compton St (can you imagine the rivalry?), is a cocktail bar that used to feature regularly in the top 50 lists of cocktail bars (who can be bothered with such a long list, right?). It's an Italian styled gin focussed bar best known for serving four different types of negroni. They're not served like you normally see in a short tumbler with a chunk of ice and orange twist, but rather in a delicate coupe without ice. They're pre-made and poured from bottles, but don't let that put you off, they're still quality. This premixing style seems to be catching on though, and yeah, I do feel slightly jipped because I like the theatre of the bar person making the thing, but, these negronis are cheaper than your average top end cocktail bar would charge, so just drink two, or all four and move on.
Before you do move on though, get their signature drink the Terroir. Yeh I said before signature drinks aren't always that interesting, but this one is amazing, it's like drinking the earth.
Address: 7 Old Compton St, London W1D 5JE
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On Kingsland Road in Dalston (isn't everything these days?), you'll find one of the most innovative cocktail bars this side of a... I dunno, innovation hub, or something. Anyway, Bar With Shapes for a Name is a place seemingly run by chemists, seriously, get into a conversation with one of the bartenders (you won't find me using the term 'mixologist') about the thinking that goes into making one of their cocktails, it will blow your mind.
What will also blow your mind is the mixology (bite me) that goes into re-jigging the tables and chairs depending on the number of punters they get. Just about all the tables are modularised and able to be put away or shifted to suit, like a big Lego set for drunk grown ups.
Address: 232 Kingsland Rd, Whitmore Estate, London E2 8AX