This review is only about the downstairs area, which I really enjoyed. The mood is dark and sexy -- perfect for a date. The staff was helpful in making choices, particularly about whisky as their list is extensive and can be overwhelming. The cocktails are all delicious, too, and presented in fun ways. My favorite was The Pantomime, which was a mezcal and Aperol cocktail, but everything I tried was great. read more

Swift - The Pantomime cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

World's 50 Best Discovery bar. There are three locations but the Soho one is the one with this accolade. Two concepts with two different menus in side. Ground level is for walk-in's and it a bit more casual and chill. Downstairs is by reservation only and it much darker and moodier. Looked at the menus ahead of time and opted to walk in as we liked the drinks on that menu more. Arrived, and the bar was busy, but we were able to score a seat for two at a bar counter against the wall. Both drinks we ordered came from the "Rich" section of the menu. Marigold - tequila, greek yogurt, mango, suze, lemon - well balanced with the greek yogurt adding extra mouthfeel. Mango flavor was prevalent but not overwhelming and, overall, a creamy delicious drink Campino - tequila, strawberry, cream, lemon, egg white, cream soda - I liked this one slightly more. Prominent strawberry flavor that was rounded out at the end with the cream soda. Egg white added extra mouthfeel and foam. read more

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The Burnside (a wonderful riff on the whiskey sour) is absolutely delicious! The staff is excellent! Bartender NICO was a joy to watch. He was efficient, graceful and made excellent cocktails for me and my friends. read more

Initial Reaction: Swift was another spot we were introduced to by our local friend, and where I tried the best Irish coffee I have ever had in my life. I have had my share in my time. But that was absolutely stellar. Swift has this nouveau Parisienne vibe and feel about it that alludes sophistication but it also very lively with bartenders that knockout excellent cocktails. We had to wait a few minutes before we could enter due to the capacity limits. It was a Friday night so it was peak hours of operation. There are two floors, the ground that you enter with tables and standing room at the bar, and more tables downstairs that is a little more darkened and exclusive but still open to all so long as there is availability. read more

Although the place is super packed, all the time, they still managed to make it feel intimate and enjoyable, while, ensuring that all guests are able to place drink orders in a reasonable amount of time. We loved everything we tried, but the top drinks for us on our visit were the rhubarb milk punch (rotating special) and the Irish coffee (honestly, one of the best ones we have tried! warm and balanced with a cold foam on top... still dreaming about it!). read more

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It is unfortunate i'm writing a review for such an establishment with such a rating, but my experience was seriously lacking. Arrived on a Sunday at 7pm for a reservation downstairs for the live music sundays. Got greeted from a friendly employee, got sat down and took a look around; very cool vibe and space. Got handed the menu with relative speed, and told the whiskey list is on the QR code, etc. Took about 5 minutes to peruse the menu (really the whiskey list), and ordered a whiskey. Around 715 my drink arrives, and I ask if the live music is still happening tonight as it's advertised to start at 7pm, and informed that it is. No biggie, musicians can be late, traffic, stuck tube, life, etc, it happens. Now, this is where things get just, amusing in a less than stellar fashion. I finish my whiskey around 725pm (timestamps since I have texts to a friend about the experience), still no music, and at 738 (13 minutes later) i'm asked if i'd like another drink and finally order a drink. As i'm waiting, another employee fills up my water, and I ask them if the music is happening (maybe they had an update), and they say unfortunately the band cancelled. I admittedly was slightly curious when Swift knew they cancelled, if it happened before I even showed up at 7, or if it happened after i asked around 715. Part of the reason i'm curious, is because I came for the music and drinks. Now, as i'm waiting for my second drink, i'm torn on just asking for the check, as it took 13 min to even get asked if I wanted another drink, and another 10 minutes have passed, with it now being 748pm). I'll wait it out. Drink finally comes at 752pm, 27 min after I finished my first (no I was not 'deciding' on what drink), and almost 15 min after ordering it. I asked for the check once the drink was handed to me. Now, the cocktail was very good, I wanted to like this place, but regardless of how busy you are, it should not have taken that long to even be asked if I wanted a drink or at least checked on, specially sitting at the bar. Two friends of mine raved about this place, they'll be back, but I wont, sorry. read more

This place is great! The upstairs looks drastically different from the basement floor. Both have a great atmosphere! The whiskey selection was great and at a reasonable price too! The service was very good and the bartenders and servers were very attentive and helpful and knowledgeable about the menu. read more

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Personally, I feel this bar is just a tad overrated, given how packed, loud, and hot it gets. But, then... it is a bar, isn't it? I came in for their famous Irish Coffee after hearing everyone rave about how good it is. After trying it twice, all I can is: It's aight. It might place 3rd on my list of best Irish Coffees I've ever had. I've also tried a few of their other cocktails, ranging from the fruity to the creamy, and overall, the quality is pretty up there. Perfect flavor to texture ratio. None of that sugar bomb sweetness that most other bars in the area might try to push your way. These guys know their mixology. Snagging a spot later in the evening can get pretty tough, especially as you get closer to the weekend. But, if you've never tried it, you'll definitely get a different vibe than most other bars you'll find in the area. It's a bit snazzier. Added bonus: If you play your cards right, you may show up during one of their live music sessions. read more

Swift - White Water- Monkey Shoulder & Ardbeg Wee Beastie Scotches, Coconut Falernum, Banana, Angostura - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Hands down best cocktails in the area. Bartenders are knowledgeable, helpful, and super friendly. They have bar seating and tables. I'd recommend making a reservation because they get busy. I love that they have one big ice block that they chip ice off of so you get a big piece of ice in your cocktail. They go to a lot of effort to break up the ice. Cute place for a date or a pre or post dinner cocktail. We didn't try it, but apparently they've won awards for their Irish coffee! read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

I visited Swift during my recent trip to London and had a great time! We walked in on a Saturday night without a reservation and were able to get a spot at the bar after waiting for around 5-10mins. We got 2 rounds of drinks - I tried the Pearl and Rochelle. The Rochelle was okay but I loved the Pearl. The yuzu was delicious and refreshing; the hint of lemon and almond was a nice touch. I also tried the Irish coffee that one of my friends got which was also very yummy. I think Swift's award winning cocktail is the Sgroppino which we were able to watch the bartender make many times throughout the night. The scoop of lemon sorbet looked so perfect for a hot evening. The downstairs is a completely different vibe that is reservation only - which I want to try next time! read more

Elegant and efficient - Swift strike a perfect balance of delivering a great experience without the pretentiousness. There are two floors to this beautiful bar in SOHO. Upstairs is classy, Art Déco-esque decor. Order a Martini, or its famous Irish Coffee, drinks are refined but executed quickly.. if you can, ask to be seated Downstairs. I love to sit at the bar downstairs and admire the 300 whiskies and its dedicated cocktail list. read more

Best Irish coffee I've ever had, and 3 other cocktails I'm currently forgetting. I would've stayed all day but they have a two hour limit so the others waiting in line can experience this joy. A perfect cocktail bar in the heart of Picadilly :-) read more

Amazing cocktails and very kind staff. Fun vibes and not pretentious at all. Everybody kept ordering Irish coffees. I enjoyed the vodka mixes and backstage. Get downstairs if you can. They have a pianist! read more

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Such a cool place in Soho! Found the place on a few "famous bar" lists and so wanted to try it out on our trip to London. We were able to get reservations to the downstairs of the bar (I think upstairs is walk-in only?). This review is for the downstairs section. There is definitely a speakeasy vibe to this place - dark with "candles" and some mood lighting. There were tables of 2 all the way through 8. There were tables as well as bar seating. The downstairs has its own menu - the menu is so detailed and wonderful to read on its own. It really shows how much effort went into the creation of each cocktail. You are also able to order cocktails from their regular upstairs menu. But if you're downstairs, why not try some of their creations? The drinks are in the 11-15 pound range on this menu which seems about right for the area and vibe. There is something for everyone. Our server was also so great and recommended drinks based on our preferences. It goes without saying that the drinks were all incredibly delicious. Would definitely recommend for a cute date or a fun celebration! read more

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I saw the people who opened Swift were alumni of the famed bars Dead Rabbit and Milk & Honey, and decided to check it out. There are multiple levels, though I believe the upstairs is walk-ins only. Got lucky with a same-day reservation for downstairs. (Definitely would make one, because otherwise they will make you wait in a line outside.) There was also a very strict 1 hour table limit, but that was fine because we had dinner reservations, and they were clear about the limit when I made the reservation. My boyfriend and I tried a few different £12 cocktails that would easily be $20 in NYC: + Roadrunner + White Water + Praline flip + Sandhurst The Roadrunner was my favorite, but they were all great. Menu is fun and inventive (I loved the celebrity illustrations). read more

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I don't usually find cocktails that memorable, but the Shanghai'ed here knocks it out of the park. Good fun buzzy vibe especially downstairs, creative menu, staff are awesome with recs and looking after you. Book ahead. read more

Super cool vibes with really nice service. I had been to the Shoreditch one before which feels a LOT different in terms of ambience. That one feels more cafe/daytime vibes and this one seems a lot more like a speakeasy cocktail bar. There was a bit of a queue to get in around 8:30 on Friday but we only waited 5-10 minutes or so. We were seated downstairs (the place is a lot bigger than it looks) and were given some time to peruse the large and interesting menu. I ordered a drink that was a riff on an old fashioned and really enjoyed it although I found it a touch too sweet for my liking, but that appears to be the case across london cocktails. Service was very nice and they were helpful with cocktail recommendations when I described what I wanted. Worth its reputation as the 30th best bar in the world? I'd say no, but definitely worth a visit. read more

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Rated one of the world's best bars, Swift appears to be a very good Soho bar (with a line to get in at peak times), but downstairs where you need reservations well in advance is a cocktail lovers paradise. This is the type of place where bartenders come after hours for the best cocktails. Well worth making a reservation and the trip. read more

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Great service. Our waitress is wonderful. The Irish coffee is excellent. Very well-balanced. Not too sweet. The hot and the cold is perfectly merged. We sat upstairs. But next time I would go downstairs to listen to the piano bar. A lot of very interesting cocktails. We started with a martini which was OK. I would try one of their signature cocktails and then do the Irish coffee. read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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While the doorman's back was turned I walked into Swift. It wasn't intentional. I didn't notice him and I'm visibly well beyond the age of illegal drinking. It was good for a laugh when he tailed me inside then got a look at me: no i.d. necessary. A couple years back the bar across the street (Bar Termini) was on the list of the world's best bars. Swift was an also-ran, listed in the next (lower) tier of recommended spots. Neither is on the list in 2024 but neither suffers in popularity. I apparently missed the downstairs here at Swift, which is perhaps where things get more interesting. On the street-level floor there was nothing terribly unique to remark upon accept how loud the place was and the seemingly terrible acoustics. The Pearl cocktail was deemed very good. My IPA also. I think I'd need to visit the downstairs space were I to award a 4th star. Swift is fine if you've not made a reservation at Bar Termini. read more

Downstairs at Swift is one of the top bars in London, at the least. It's a destination, especially for people who love great cocktails and enjoy trying something new. Their cocktail menu doesn't focus on the classics. Instead, they make drinks you can't get anywhere else (but I wish I could). That said, while they include less common ingredients and interesting flavors, the cocktails don't *taste* experimental. They taste good. Being a cocktail geek isn't required. I've seen the bartenders recommend drinks to people who want to stretch and people who want something familiar, and both have been happy. The people their know what they're doing, and they are doing it very well. read more

My visit to London would not have been complete without stopping by Swift Soho. The bartenders were accommodating and welcoming. Even the other patrons were especially friendly. And the drinks may have been the best I had...ever! read more

Cocktails were well crafted! I had an old fashioned and dirty martini. Both were very well made and stiff! They had live music playing downstairs so it gets pretty loud down there. Also alot of couples here. Dim lighting which I like. read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Back again, this time to visit the downstairs bar. The bar is small, but we were able to grab seats without a reservation on a Monday night. Fantastic cocktail menu with something for everyone and bartenders who are patient about explaining unfamiliar ingredients. + Ice Maiden (vodka, lillet, pear brandy, champagne) was light and bubbly, the perfect way to start. + Loved the "Destination Tokyo" that came in a pretty pottery-style cup and tasted like popcorn from the pandan. + New Amsterdam and Jackdaw were more spirit forward and just as delicious. Definitely recommend, but make a reservation to be safe. read more

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Really nice cocktails and snacks! We had four drinks and some snacks. First, the outdoor area during COVID is really nice. They have blocked off the whole street and have a beautiful little set up. The drinks are delicious! We started with the two popular ones- the sgroppino and Irish coffee. The sgroppino was mine and sooooo delicious. It wasn't overly sweet and had nice tartness. We then had the spicy rice crackers and they had a nice little bit of heat. We moved on to kew gardens and watchmen. To be honest, the kew gardens was like a smoothie juice- so good and felt healthy, ha! We loved the drinks and would highly recommend a visit here! read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Everyone was very impressed with their drinks, the Irish coffee, the white water and a few others! Service was fast and a new coaster was provided each time. Each cocktail was neat and served well, the ambiance on a Wednesday night was amazing! Packed and energetic. read more

Sweet little Soho cocktail bar. After waiting indefinitely for Bar Termini across the street, my boyfriend and I saw people ducking in and decided to give it a go. The upstairs space is simple, classy, and quite bustling; downstairs is more cozy, and had a live pianist when we were there on a Friday night. We had bar seats upstairs. Note that the two spaces have different menus, with upstairs being briefer and skewing on the cheaper side (10 - 12 pounds per cocktail). I went for a sgroppino (8 pounds), prosecco with a floral aperitif topped with a scoop of lemon sorbet and lemon zest. Refreshing without being too bitter. My boyfriend's drink stole the show! I am so sorry that I have no idea what it was, but it was topped with mint and a thin slice of beet. If the bartenders have any idea what you're talking about, you should get it. Our bartender was fabulous-- super attentive and a friendly attitude. Bathrooms clean and vibey. Though it was pretty busy and a bit noisy, it was never too overwhelming. If you're out for the night in Soho, this is a perfect stop for a classic or creative cocktail. read more

Swift - Sgroppino - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Had drinks here with some friends on a local recommendation. Top itch service and quality cocktails. Highly recommend this great cocktail bar. Great whiskey selection as well. Our local friend/tour guide Zach brought us here and very happy that he did. read more

I was pleased to come here for an oyster and martini event sponsored by Fords Gin. With prices at £5 for a martini and free oysters, it was a real treat! Unfortunately for my dining companion they didn't sell any other food although they do have a small food menu. The drinks were tasty, however I would have liked at least two olives in my dirty martini. Quality was on point. All other drinks not on special were a bit pricey but the whiskey collection downstairs is one of the best, I've been told. The upstairs bar is brighter and swanky. Mirrors and lighting surround the high seats and tables. Wait staff was a mix of friendly and helpful after initially forgetting my order. This was when there were not many patrons in the bar. I would stop back in for a drink and recommend it as a nice date spot. read more

Swift - Oysters and cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Really cute (albeit small!) place! Great for a date or just a quiet close conversation between friends. The cocktails are delicious and the menu is full of interesting choices! They did take quite a while to arrive for all of us though. The cocktail bar is located in the basement, and the ambience is really cozy and sweet but there's truly not much space. I imagine if you're coming on a Friday or Saturday night it might be hard to find a table! Also bit of a hassle walking to the bar trying to avoid hitting any of the tables in the pathway aha as it's quite narrow ^^ Last point of interest is that the night we were here (and I came in a group of four, and we had a great time!) there was also a live musician singing and playing here :) read more

Dear Swift, I love you. When we first met, it felt like we had already known each other our whole lives. Once we entered, a bartender waved at us as if he knew us. I actually did the whole "Me? Are you waving at me?" *look behind self to see if bartender is waving at someone behind me* He made me feel so special and welcome! Hubby ordered the drinks so that I could grab us some seats and while waiting, someone came around to offer water. What the!! I was so pleasantly surprised. What a nice touch! I responded quite enthusiastically with a "Water? Yes that would be lovely!" Plus the water glass was super clean. Points points points. The drinks were quite delicious as well. I heard that the downstairs area is the place to be, so we'll be back to check it out another night. 'Til next time, Swift! Love, Jen read more

The best cocktails I've had. White Water. Irish Coffee. Old Fashioned. They are amazing. The staff are very kind and the bartenders are so skilled and very consistent. Go here. Have the White Water. It's the best. It's a shame Sam won't work here anymore read more

First cocktail bar to visit in London and had I not visited others this would be a 5 star. 4 in London, 5 just about anywhere else. Friendly and helpful staff. Tried 6 cocktails liked them. Didn't like the set up, as it was a bit small, and bar stools were a tad uncomfortable. I would come back. read more

Very cool spot with an upstairs scene for the more lively crowd and a downstairs scene for the more intimate setting. I ordered the bellweather and it was probably my favorite drink of the trip. Piano man was playing but was more background noise than enhancing the environment. read more

I was recommended by Claire in milk and honey she said it was her favourite bar in London it's in the Soho area I ordered a hazelnut cocktail it was nice but I didn't find anything really special about the spa I mean it's got a really nice Little cocktail menu with good recipes and people can be funny once it hits midnight but it's just a fancy hole in the wall with pretty drinks to be quite honest but the bartender was very very nice can't really complain it was a very tall server who was walking around she was nice definitely the service is good although I did have a little bit of trouble at the door it seem like the German minute the friend was giving me a very intense once over to let me in an X to search my purse that's the first time anyone has searched my purse ever in London and every time I've ever been here so I thought that was a little weird I almost didn't wanna go win but I ended up having a nice time read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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One of the best bars in London. High quality cocktails and full range of whiskey. Very professional

Great cocktails, 300+ whiskys, lovely service. Book if you can, walkins seated in lesser spots if available

If I was only rating the drinks this would be a 5 but I'm not. We walked in as a group of 11 just looking for a plane to grab a drink. The long haired chubby waitress upstairs was a total beotch. She was rude, unhelpful and made it quite clear that we weren't welcome. Then we had another blonde haired pierced girl who started out being unhelpful but turned things around. Nicole downstairs was a doll and super helpful and sweet. I now know that they require reservations but the doorman didn't tell us that so we came in just looking to quench thirst. The chick upstairs could stand to take some manners training and to get off of her high horse. read more

Swift - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Sam the bartender is amazing and friendly. The drinks are magnificent and really enjoyed the vibe. Will definitely be coming back.