Cocktail Bars in London: 612 events this week (14 Sept to 16 Sept)

London's cocktail scene splits roughly into two camps: the bars that want you to notice the craft, and the ones that want you to forget you're in a bar at all. Both are worth your evening, but they suit different moods. Know which one you're after before you pick a postcode.

Soho and Fitzrovia carry the highest density, with small rooms tucked behind unmarked doors and bartenders who'll build you something off-menu if you ask nicely. Shoreditch and Dalston lean looser and louder, good for a group that wants music with their drinks rather than hushed conversation over a menu. South of the river, Peckham and Brixton have their own crop of newer openings, often cheaper and less precious about it.

Timing matters more than people think. Early evening, before the after-work crowd lands, is when you get proper attention from whoever's behind the bar. Later on, especially towards the weekend, the best spots fill up fast and some don't take bookings at all, so a queue is part of the deal if you've got your heart set on somewhere specific.

If you're picking for a date or a small group, look for places built around conversation, not high tables and pounding speakers. If you're out for a bigger night, a bar with a later licence and some dancefloor energy will serve you better than a hushed tasting room. Either way, London rarely makes you choose between good and cheap, only between good and central.

Below is what's actually on this week, pulled from bars across the city so you can see what's open and worth the trip before you commit to a plan.