10 incredibly romantic bars in SW London and Surrey
10 incredibly romantic bars in SW London and Surrey
Valentine’s Day is coming, and it’s coming fast! We reveal London and Surrey’s most gorgeous romantic bars for a perfect date night…
Top picture: Lost Society, Battersea
With Valentine’s is fast approaching, there’s no better time to invite a bit of sparkle and romance into our lives. If you’re looking to whisk your special someone away to a plush bar and melt together in the magic of soft lighting and delicious drinks, look no further. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top ten most romantic bars in south west London and Surrey.
1
Lost Society
Battersea
First on our list is Lost Society in Battersea, which is filled with lavish art deco velvet and brass furnishings. Enjoy seasonally selected craft cocktails in their plush bar, cosy lounge or slick monochrome botanical. Dance with your lovely one to one of their regular DJs or acoustic performers, and indulge in their feel-good food, all with a creative Lost Society twist. Depending on which day of the week you visit, you can also take advantage of a Happy Hour, Bottomless Brunch or Sunday Roast with Bottomless Bubbles. On Friday 13th February, you can book a special Valentine’s dinner at Lost Society with a three course meal!
2
28°-50°
Chelsea
Next up is the pretty-in-pink 28°-50° wine workshop and kitchen in Chelsea, a relatively small venue oozing with class. This place has great service. In-house expert sommeliers will help you navigate an extensive wine list which they say ranges from the “affordable and quaffable” to the “high-end and even more quaffable”, but might be more accurately described as various shades of “high-end and extremely quaffable”. If you and your beau are after something extra special, peruse their unique ‘Collectors’ List’ of fine wines from several private collections and try unusual and mature grapes rarely seen in London restaurants. Pair your vin with elegant French and modern European cuisine from Executive Chef Julien Baris’s carefully curated menu of light bites, charcuterie and substantial plates. Enjoy all this downstairs to an incessantly cool soundtrack, often performed by live DJs, or head upstairs for a little more hush.
3
601 Queen’s Road
Wimbledon
In the heart of Wimbledon, above Wimbledon Quarter, lives 601 Queen’s Road, a beautiful independent neighbourhood bar and restaurant. A lively sky-lit hangout throughout the day, at night their wrap-around terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and dinner al fresco under a glistening canopy of lights. Part of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, the food here comes from wonky vegetables to satisfy both your tummy and your conscience. From the circular bar to the bespoke MAV playlists, 601 Queen’s Road is a trendsetter as well as an elegant location for a date night with your favourite person.
4
Humble Grape
Battersea
If it’s wine that you and your partner are after, might I suggest the Humble Grape in Battersea? This quirky wine bar and shop offers cosy continental calm in warm and intimate surroundings. Take your pick of 400 sustainable wines sourced from boutique wineries around the world, or defer your decision to knowledgeable staff members who undertake weekly wine training with the winemakers themselves. The Humble Grape also hosts regular wine tasting events, from their Wine 1-0-1 event to the World of Wine series, a captivating 2-hour session suitable for beginners and experts alike. Why not book in you and your partner for an event…?
5
WC
Clapham
Yes, we are serious – a converted public toilet is one of the most romantic spots in south west London. 100 years ago, this place was a gents’ water closet located underneath Clapham Common tube station. Today, WC Clapham is a romantic candlelit venue offering a vast cocktail list, a carefully curated selection of wines and a decadent variety of charcuterie boards and nibbles that caters to all dietary requirements, all in an intimate underground space. The bar is packed with original features, from the tiled walls to the booths fashioned from Victorian lavatory stalls. WC prides themselves on friendly and comfortable service to ease any first date nerves, and many couples return to celebrate anniversaries or to hire out the venue to celebrate proposals, engagements and weddings. This is a hidden gem perfect for a quiet evening of romance.
6
Smith’s Cocktail Bar
Hammersmith
For something a little more traditional, why not head to Smith’s Cocktail Bar located in the cellar of Brook Green Hotel? Peruse their extensive menu of cocktails, bourbons and whiskies and, if nothing quite tickles your fancy, one of their talented bartenders will rustle something up just for you. Tuck into a sharing board or burger in a venue bathed in soft, moody lighting and decorated with exposed brick, velvet sofas and booths partitioned with four-poster-style curtains. If you catch Smith’s on the right day, you can dance the night away with live music. And rather than stumbling home, why not book out one of their 17 boutique bedrooms upstairs for an extra taste of luxury?
7
Vagabond
Fulham
Another more wine-centric suggestion here with Vagabond in Fulham. This cosy spot offers over 100 different wines for you to try by the glass or bottle, and it all comes from small artisan growers. Some of the wine is even sourced from Vagabond’s own Urban Winery in Battersea Power Station. The first of the Vagabond family, this Fulham spot is a proper neighbourhood wine bar. Tuck into tapas and tipples together with your Prince or Princess Charming, amidst soft lighting and original oak furnishings.
8
The Little Orange Door
Clapham
Nothing shouts romance quite like…the colour orange? Jokes aside, this little bar is an incredibly cute and cosy place to go for drinks, offset by warm lighting and plush, snug seating. Indulge in two-for-one drinks every Friday until 8pm, and £5 margherita pizzas every Wednesday and Thursday! If you and your loved one fancy a dance together head there on Friday and Saturday night for weekend DJ parties. If the weather’s looking forgiving, venture out to their cosy romantic terrace to sip cocktails together overlooking the beauty of Clapham Common.
9
JOIA’s Perola Cocktail Bar
Battersea
Views, drinks, food, interiors… JOIA has it all. Located in the glamorous Battersea Power Station, its a romantic haven of plush pink seats, stunning views and yummy cocktails. Book in at JOIA’s Perola Cocktail Bar if you’re looking for a date night of drinks and views, with lovely art deco interiors and a gorgeously romantic atmosphere. On Valentine’s Day you can book JOIA’s limited edition set menu featuring signature dishes and a Valentine’s cocktail.
10
Aspen & Meursault
Battersea
Among London’s best wine bars, Aspen & Meursault is a lovely spot for a date night. With its stylish and unpretentious interiors, its the perfect place to go and try out some delicious new wine, or introduce yourself to the world of wine. They host regular wine tasting experiences, or you can pop along for a quiet evening for two, sipping some of the best natural wines while munching on charcuterie, chorizo bites and more. Elegant, simple sophistication – the ideal date.
