Bars can be destinations too. Either for their vibe. Or for their location, location, location. Else, of course, for their drinks. Here's 8 bars, according to Independent London, to put on your bucket list.
Set inside London’s stunning St Pancras station, Searcys is where journeys begin the way they should. Watch Eurostar trains glide away as you sip a glass of bubbly before your train. The décor is inspired by vintage train carriages, with plush booths and a seafood counter serving oysters and crab.
Tucked inside the famous Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, Bemelmans, dating from the 1940s, feels like stepping back in time. The walls are covered with playful drawings by artist Ludwig Bemelmans (of Madeline children's books fame), while live piano music fills the room. Drink: Dirty Martinis.
A lively, kitsch bar in Midtown filled with neon lights, Elvis posters. Expect laid-back fun, strong cocktails in colourful glasses, and the kind of easy-going vibe that makes you stay for “just one more.”
In the heart of Prague’s Old Town, the bar located on a rooftop terrace offers spectacular views over the city’s towers and spires. It’s best enjoyed at sunset with a cold Czech beer in hand.
Once a derelict building, now an iconic ruin bar (or romkocsma meaning Simple Garden) and tourist draw. Fairy lights hang over mismatched furniture, art covers every wall, and laughter spills from every corner. A must-visit spot in Budapest’s Jewish Quarter.
Just an hour from Lisbon, this is another rooftop bar affording beautiful views of the port city of Setúbal. It’s calm and romantic, lovely for enjoying a glass of chilled white port while watching the sunset.
Hidden inside a quiet office building in Ginza, this small but busy bar is considered the best in Japan. The expert bartenders make every cocktail from scratch and the atmosphere is peaceful. Drink to try: White Lady, made from gin, cointreau, lemon juice.
Perched on the 39th floor of the Andaz Hotel, Mr Stork gives you a dazzling view of Singapore’s skyline. Sit in one of the cosy rooftop huts and enjoy an out-of-this-world cocktail like the Hao Yun Lai with salted plum gin and pineapple soda.