68 and Boston
Soho, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
68 and Boston sits on Greek Street in the heart of Soho, making it one of the more accessible spirit-forward bar options in a neighbourhood that takes drinking seriously. Booking is easy by London standards; walk-ins are realistic mid-week, even weekends rarely require more than a few days' notice. Arrive before 7:30 PM for a quieter experience; later and the room fills fast.
About 68 and Boston
Quick Take: 68 and Boston, Soho
Without pricing data on the books, it's hard to anchor 68 and Boston against Soho's mid-range bar scene; but its address at 5 Greek Street puts it squarely in one of London's most competitive drinking neighbourhoods, where the bar next door is rarely the weakest option. If you're heading here, go because you want a spirit-forward experience in a Soho setting, not because it's the obvious default.
The Greek Street corridor runs through the heart of Soho, which means the ambient energy is reliably high: expect a room that fills early on weeknights and hits full noise by 9 PM on Fridays. If your goal is a quieter conversation over a considered pour, arrive before 7:30 PM. For a special occasion or a date that needs atmosphere without full-club volume, earlier in the evening gives you the mood without the crowd. For groups arriving later, the energy will carry the night regardless of what's in the glass.
Given its positioning in a neighbourhood that takes spirits seriously; Soho has long hosted some of London's more adventurous bar programmes, 68 and Boston fits a category of bars where the spirit selection drives the visit. Whether the focus is whiskey, gin, or something less expected, Soho bars at this address tend to run programmes aimed at drinkers who order with intent rather than impulse. That's the frame to bring here.
Booking is easy by London standards. Soho bars in this tier rarely require more than a same-week reservation, walk-in availability mid-week is realistic. For weekend evenings or a group of four or more, a booking is still the smarter call. Compare this to 69 Colebrooke Row in Islington, which books out days in advance, or A Bar with Shapes For a Name, where planning ahead is non-negotiable. 68 and Boston is the more accessible call.
For a broader look at where this sits in the capital's drinking scene, Pearl's full London bars guide covers the category in depth. If you're planning a full evening, the London restaurants guide and London experiences guide are useful starting points for what to pair it. Alternatively, if you're after bars with a comparable spirit-forward focus outside London, Bramble in Edinburgh and Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu both run programmes worth knowing about.
Practical Details
| Detail | 68 and Boston | 69 Colebrooke Row | Happiness Forgets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Soho, W1 | Islington, N1 | Hoxton, EC2 |
| Booking difficulty | Easy | Moderate–Hard | Moderate |
| Leading for | Dates, small groups | Serious cocktail nights | Intimate pairs |
| Walk-in realistic? | Yes (mid-week) | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Noise level | Moderate–high (evenings) | Low–moderate | Low–moderate |
Also worth knowing: Pearl covers nearby Soho options including Academy and Amaro if you want to compare before committing. For a full picture of London's hotel and wider hospitality scene, see Pearl's London hotels guide, London wineries guide, and Bar Kismet in Halifax for a transatlantic point of comparison.
Planning details
- Location
- 5 Greek St, London W1D 4DD, United Kingdom
- Website
- 68andboston.com
- Phone
- +44 20 7287 3713
The take
The Take
The Vibe
68 and Boston sits quietly on Greek Street, trading Soho theatrics for a working locals' atmosphere. The bar reads as part of a newer cohort that treats food as an editorial statement alongside cocktails, so the room feels purposeful rather than performative. Guests encounter a relaxed, tucked-away Soho mood that rewards lingering — late-night conversation, focused drink-and-bite sessions, and a modest, urban charm. The tone is contemporary and considered: the drinks programme matters, but it shares the stage with a kitchen that aims to shape the overall experience rather than simply accompany it.
Best For
This bar lands squarely in the evening and late-night orbit: it's ideal for after-work drinks that evolve into dinner and for late-night visits when Greek Street comes alive. The writing frames the place as a local haunt where cocktails and kitchen plates are in conversation, so it's a good pick for small groups or two people who want to linger over matched drinks and bites. It's less about formal occasions and more about relaxed, food-forward evenings where the menu and the cocktail list feel integrated.
Ordering Tips
Approach the menu with pairing in mind: the piece emphasizes that the kitchen calibrates salt, fat and acidity to the rhythm of the drinks list, so order plates that are explicitly designed to sit alongside cocktails. Prioritize a mix of small plates and drinks to test how the savoury and acidic elements interplay with cocktails. Given the bar's food-forward stance, expect considered combinations rather than throwaway bar snacks — ask staff about suggested matches and let the kitchen's editorial logic guide your choices.
Venue details
Ambiance
Low-lit with dark brooding woods, cosily lit interiors for intimate sophisticated date night atmosphere downstairs; glamorous elegant lounge upstairs with post-war decadence style.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
Signature Pours
Nothing Rhymes with Purple
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bar Termini; Notable alternative
- Callooh Callay; Notable alternative
- Happiness Forgets; Notable alternative
- Nightjar; Notable alternative
- Quo Vadis; Notable alternative
Bar context
Against Soho and central London peers, 68 and Boston's main advantage is accessibility. Happiness Forgets in Hoxton runs a tighter, more deliberate cocktail programme and books out faster; it's the better call if you want a quieter, more considered drink, but you'll need to plan ahead. Bar Termini in Soho is the stronger choice if the focus is on aperitivo-style drinking and precision in a small-format room, though it holds fewer people and fills quickly in the evenings.
Nightjar in Shoreditch is the obvious pick for full-scale special occasions; live music, theatrical cocktails, proper reservation planning; but at a higher price point and with a booking window that requires real commitment. If 68 and Boston is a spontaneous Soho option, Nightjar is its more produced, more expensive counterpart. Callooh Callay in Shoreditch is similarly fun and playful but skews younger and louder; it's not the right room for a business drink or a quiet date.
Quo Vadis on Dean Street is the strongest alternative if you want Soho proximity with a more complete evening; food, wine, a bar programme under one roof, at a higher overall spend. For a pure spirit-forward bar night in Soho without the planning overhead, 68 and Boston is the easier entry point, with the understanding that the neighbourhood rewards exploring multiple venues in the same evening.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full 68 and Boston guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare 68 and Boston
| Venue | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 68 and Boston | No published awards | Easy |
| Bar Termini | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #8Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1302018 World's 50 Best Bars · #62017 World's 50 Best Bars · #92016 World's 50 Best Bars · #30 | Unknown |
| Callooh Callay | No published awards | Unknown |
| Happiness Forgets | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #44Top 500 Bars 2026 · #3102019 World's 50 Best Bars · #402018 World's 50 Best Bars · #352017 World's 50 Best Bars · #122016 World's 50 Best Bars · #102015 World's 50 Best Bars · #82014 World's 50 Best Bars · #122013 World's 50 Best Bars · #6 | Unknown |
| Nightjar | Top 500 Bars 2026 · #712026 Pinnacle Guide2017 World's 50 Best Bars · #432016 World's 50 Best Bars · #192015 World's 50 Best Bars · #32014 World's 50 Best Bars · #32013 World's 50 Best Bars · #22012 World's 50 Best Bars · #32011 World's 50 Best Bars · #18 | Unknown |
| Quo Vadis | No published awards | Unknown |
A quick look at how 68 and Boston measures up.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 68 and Boston have happy hour deals?
No confirmed happy hour pricing is on record for 68 and Boston at 5 Greek Street. Greek Street in Soho runs a competitive bar strip, so it's worth checking directly with the venue before you go; deals in this pocket of W1D tend to shift seasonally. If a fixed happy hour is your priority, Bar Termini on Old Compton Street publishes set-price aperitivo windows that are easier to plan around.
Is 68 and Boston good for groups?
The Greek Street address puts 68 and Boston on one of Soho's narrower, more atmospheric stretches, which typically means compact interiors and limited standing room for larger parties. Without confirmed capacity data, groups of six or more should contact the venue ahead of time to check availability. For guaranteed group bookings with private space options in the area, Quo Vadis on Dean Street is a more predictable call.
Where is 68 and Boston located?
68 and Boston is located in London, at 5 Greek St, London W1D 4DD, United Kingdom.
