Forgo the Friday night local and try drinking with a difference - we're talking moonshine and card games in the Wild West, knocking back hooch in a prison-themed bar, and journeying back to the 1940s to soak up cocktails and singalongs in a post-war speakeasy. London's not short of options when it comes to immersive cocktail experiences - we've done the all-important research, and rounded up some of our favourites here.
A shady-looking RV, questionable paraphernalia, banging hip-hop soundtrack and chemistry apparatus are the name of the game at ABQ London, where you can cook up a cocktail storm. Expect to be thrown straight into character as you don your yellow hazmat suits and mix up molecular cocktails using the likes of dry ice, nitrous oxide and foam. There's a reason this place is renowned for being one of the most exciting immersive bars to date.
Don your robes, grab your wands and get ready for your most spirited Potions class yet at London's most enchanting cocktail experience. At your interactive work station, you’ll get to test out your magic wand by pouring a welcome drink. You’ll then use special molecular mixology skills to brew your delicious elixirs, each of which will have different traits and effects. Vegan, gluten-free and alcohol-free options available.
You've got to work for your drinks at this Bletchley Park-inspired venture, cracking codes to enter the inconspicuous WWII bunker and using Enigma machines to discover your taste and smell preferences. It's totally worth it, though - expert mixologists will whip up bespoke cocktails according to your results. Hailed 'The Bar of the Future,' it comes as no surprise that its predecessor is ABQ - it retains the same immersive vibe, with its own unique theme.
This Wild Western bar on King's Road, Chelsea, is immersive from the moment you arrive, where you're kitted out in cowboy gear and a Stetson hat before heading down to the Saloon to check out the covert moonshine empire that's underway. It's a night of card and dice games, plus personalised moonshine cocktails made especially for you - keep your head down to avoid the watchful eyes of the Sheriff.
If you're after a good date night in the city, The Brig is a hidden gem that's sure to impress. Not only does it boast the tag of London's smallest speakeasy, it's also exquisitely decorated and offers a totally tailor-made experience. It's so tiny that you can rent it out just for two, and it champions those little, personal touches that can make a special evening an unforgettable one. Think bespoke cocktails from your own private bartender, plus your favourite music playing on a personalised playlist.
Alcotraz is London's first prison-themed cocktail bar - yep, it's a thing, and it's every bit as thrill-inducing as you might expect. Based on the notorious San Francisco original, it's definitely got a bit of an edge over your average night out. It's BYOB, and you'll need to be stealth to get it past the warden, but once you're in, the inmates will mix you up cocktails like pros (they've had plenty of time to hone their hooch skills). All the syrups, juices and bitters you could wish for are provided. Hopefully orange is your colour, because you'll be kitted out in an inmate's suit for the duration.
Make a turn off Regent Street and head downstairs to a disused underground station, where you'll find Cahoots, a speakeasy-style bar that'll transport you to post-war 1940s London. Singalongs around the piano, cuppas and cakes, and cocktails - championing the charm of a bygone era, Cahoots is a must-visit if you're an immersive drinking enthusiast.
