Close Menu
Top 10

Best of London’s Borough Market in cocktails

With London’s Borough Market back open for business, The Spirits Business celebrates some of the top cocktail spots the vibrant, must-visit area has to offer.

Borough Market is on the doorstep of SBHQ, and like everyone, we were devastated and overwhelmingly saddened by the terror attack carried out earlier this month.

The market is a bustling hub of independent traders, local producers, shops, and bars and restaurants – Londoners and tourists frequent the bustling area to buy fresh fruit, veg and produce from the around the world, and meet for coffee and to eat. After dark, the area transforms into one of the city’s most popular night spots, with the diverse blend of top pubs, bars and restaurants all drawing in the crowds.

After such tragic events, the focus turns to healing – and that process took a step forward on Wednesday morning [14 June] as the market reopened to shoppers and visitors.

The victims of the terror attack will never be forgotten, and remain front-of-mind as the area tries to return to some sort of normality. Since the attack, London has come together to stand against hate and terror, with the local community drawing especially close.

As an official Borough Market post notes: “Anyone else who wishes to help in the coming weeks can do so in one simple but fundamental way: by turning up, putting a buzz back into the atmosphere, and buying some high quality food and drink from the fantastic array of traders who make this such a special and diverse place.”

We want to celebrate the best cocktails the market has to offer. Read on to discover some of the top spots for spirited serves; we hope the list will inspire you to visit the bars and restaurants if you are able to. 

Got a top Borough Market recommendation we’ve missed off? Let us and our readers know in the comments below.

Can’t get to London but still want to offer support? The Borough Market Trust and the Bankside community have set up a Trader Fund to help those affected.

Arabica Bar & Kitchen

3 Rochester Walk, London SE1 9AF

A Lebanese restaurant in the heart of the market, Arabica offers a mouthwatering menu of cocktails inspired by flavours from across the Levant. The Bekka Butterfly (arak burn. gin, elderflower, basil, mint, and lemon) and Mai Tai, But Better (rum blend, roasted almond syrup, lime, orange blossom and marmalade) particularly take our fancy. To mark the re-opening of Borough Market, the team has added the aptly named London Courage (a Tom Collins with a twist) to the menu. On 18 June Arabica will launch its Sunday music sessions with all ticket sales and £1 per London Courage cocktail sold to the Borough Market Relief Fund.

Rabot 1745

2-4 Bedale Street, London SE1 9AL

A chocolate-inspired restaurant from Hotel Chocolat, Rabot 1745 offers an intriguing food and cocktail menu celebrating all things cocoa. Far from saccharine, the innovative dishes and drinks are clever, grown-up interpretations with menus spanning all meals and occasions. We recommend taking a Caramel Salted Soother or Cocoa Breakfast Martini on the terrace overlooking the market.

Wright Bros.

11 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD

One of five seafood-focused Wright Bros. restaurants across the capital, the Borough Market outpost offers a range of signature serves alongside classic cocktails. The Just Wright (Bombay Sapphire gin, Becherovka, pomegranate juice and yuzu tea) and Japanese Lantern (Grey Goose vodka, plum sake, physalis, lemon juice, apple juice and lemon thyme syrup) especially appeal. When the weather’s good you can take your serves outside to the barrel-style tables and take in the buzz of Borough Market while you sip.

Whiskey Ginger

Arch 2, Green Dragon Court, SE1 9AW

Borough Market’s very own bespoke cocktail bar, Whiskey Ginger offers more than 50 whiskies alongside a sizeable cocktail menu and craft beers. Expect live musicians and DJs too, especially as the night gets going, but don’t forget to sit out on the balcony with a serve and watch the Borough Market world go by. Lovely!

El Pastor

6-7A Stoney Street, London SE1 9AA

Some of the finest tacos in London can be found in this enchanting Mexican haunt located under the railway arches. The cocktail menu is authentically Tequila and mezcal focused and is made to be accompanied by El Pastor’s delicious bites. We like the Negroni El Pastor (Mezcal, Casa Mariol, and Campari with an orange twist) or for something lighter the Diablo Rojo (Tequila Herradura, ginger beer, and fresh lemon, laced with cassis and served long).

Brindisa

18-20 Southwark St, London SE1 1TJ

A Spanish stalwart offering tapas in its restaurant and myriad ingredients in its shop, Brindisa is almost the ‘face’ of Borough Market, situated on its outer edge. The restaurant’s drinks menu includes a raft of gin and tonics and Sherries, but it’s the Sangria that gets our vote. Arrive early to try and sit outside – this is one popular eatery.

 

Padella

6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ

Team SB revelled in the incredibly-made pasta when we visited en masse last year, but it’s the small but perfectly formed cocktail list which also grabs attention. Its all about the Italian classics: Spritzes, Negronis and Americanos. Just be prepared to get there early or queue – this place is popular, and with good reason.

The Southwark Tavern

22 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TU

Not technically a cocktail bar, this traditional British pub is another Borough Market landmark, situated opposite Brindisa. There’s a deliberate focus on artisan spirits from smaller producers, and a good haul of gins. The bar staff will happily mix up the classics, or try their hand at more contemporary tipples.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No