The Bar Below
Mayfair, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
The Bar Below is a sensible Mayfair pick for a polished drink with a small group, especially if the plan is one or two rounds rather than a full night out. For 4+ people, book with caution and keep a nearby backup, since the stronger use case is an intimate central London stop rather than a large-group anchor.
About The Bar Below
Consider The Bar Below if the plan is a smart-casual visit in London with a clear, practical brief. It is open daily from 5 PM to 12 AM, has a smart casual dress code, holds a Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin for 2026. Beyond those points, public planning should stay conservative rather than assuming details about seating, menu, pricing, or service format.
The Bar Below works well as a London choice when the decision is about timing, dress code, a recognition signal. For price, menu, or room-format details, the safest booking logic is simple: use it for an evening stop, check directly with the venue for anything specific such as group arrangements, accessibility, or menu requirements.
London bar planning with a smart-casual brief
The Bar Below offers consistency: it opens at 5 PM and closes at 12 AM every day of the week. That makes it easier to plan than venues with variable service windows, especially if the evening depends on a post-work or later visit. The smart casual dress code is also worth noting before arrival.
If the group wants a broader London bar search before committing, start with Our full London bars guide. For a dinner-led night, use Our full London restaurants guide; for a stay-led itinerary, compare options through Our full London hotels guide. Other London planning can be kept separate from the bar decision.
Use it as a clearly timed London stop
The strongest case here is for readers who want a London venue with evening hours, a smart casual dress code, a 2026 Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin. If the brief depends on specific cocktails, food, seating style, outdoor space, private areas, or budget, those details should be confirmed directly before making the venue the anchor of the evening.
For other options, compare The Bar Below with choices such as Dover Yard, Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Kwant, The Dandy Bar, or The Rivoli Bar. The decision here is simple: choose The Bar Below for a smart-casual London visit within its 5 PM to midnight daily hours; look elsewhere if the evening requires specific details not mentioned.
Planning details
- Location
- 85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB, United Kingdom
- Website
- instagram.com/hide_below/?hl=en
- Phone
- +44 20 3146 8666
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Bar Below presents a deliberately hushed, subterranean setting that privileges attentive drinking over spectacle. Descending from Piccadilly, the room immediately narrows focus: lighting sits lower, ceilings feel closer and conversation remains intimate. The edit of spirits and seasonal cocktails matches the architecture — composed, considered and quietly exacting. Rather than loud theatrics, the bar’s character comes from restraint and curation, rewarding slow sipping and attentive company. For anyone seeking a serious, low-key drinks room in Mayfair, the space reads as purpose-built for refined, conversational evenings.
Best For
This basement bar suits evenings when the aim is careful drinking and quiet conversation. It is an obvious fit for date nights and special occasions that favour discretion and focus, and it also works well as an after‑work stop for those wanting to shift into a calmer, more composed mode. The writing on the wall — a long pour landing differently here — also makes it appropriate for solo visits by serious drinkers who want to taste or sample the spirits programme without distraction.
Ordering Tips
Center your order on the spirits and the seasonal cocktail programme: the back bar is curated for depth rather than breadth, and cocktails respond to the season rather than remaining fixed. Ask staff about aged or aromatic pours and about what’s changing on the seasonal list — the bar emphasises thoughtful curation, so staff recommendations and single‑spirit serves are the best way to experience the room. Expect a measured, attentive service style rather than theatrical presentation.
Venue details
Ambiance
Moody and intimate with soft amber lighting, warm woods, gleaming metal, and a dark, shadowy atmosphere enhanced by a curated music playlist.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Cocktail Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Rock and Pop Playlist Shifting to Softer Tones
Signature Pours
- Cross-Eyed Mary
- Adam & Eve
- Holy Water
- Original Sin
- Pineapple Express
Planning details
Location
85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB, United Kingdom · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Notable alternative
- The Dandy Bar, Notable alternative
- Kwant, Notable alternative
- Dover Yard, Notable alternative
- The Rivoli Bar, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in Mayfair and central London
The Bar Below is the right call if you want a controlled Mayfair drink with less commitment than a full hotel-bar evening. Flemings Mayfair Hotel is the closer cross-shop for a hotel-led plan, while The Rivoli Bar reads as the more formal choice for a classic central London night. Pick The Bar Below when the priority is a shorter, neater stop; pick The Rivoli Bar when the room itself is part of the occasion.
For group suitability, Dover Yard and The Dandy Bar are the names to check before locking a 4+ plan, because the safer move is to compare room fit rather than assume any Mayfair bar handles groups comfortably. Kwant is the better comparison if cocktail focus matters more than the Piccadilly location. The Bar Below is easiest to justify for two or three people who want Mayfair polish without stretching the evening.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Bar Below guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Bar Below
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Bar Below | London | 2026 Pinnacle Guide |
| Flemings Mayfair Hotel | London | No published awards |
| The Dandy Bar | London | No published awards |
| Kwant | London | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #192026 Europe's 50 Best Bars · #40Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1082026 Pinnacle Guide2025 World's 50 Best Bars · #792024 World's 50 Best Bars · #522021 World's 50 Best Bars · #312020 World's 50 Best Bars · #62019 World's 50 Best Bars · #47 |
| Dover Yard | London | No published awards |
| The Rivoli Bar | London | No published awards |
How The Bar Below London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation at The Bar Below?
It's advisable to check directly with The Bar Below for reservation requirements before visiting, especially if your timing or group arrangements are important. The venue holds a 2026 Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin.
Does The Bar Below have outdoor seating?
Does The Bar Below have happy hour deals?
Happy hour information is not available. Do not plan around discounts unless The Bar Below confirms them directly.
What's the best time to go to The Bar Below?
The hours are 5 PM to 12 AM every day. Choose a time within that window that fits your evening plans, note the smart casual dress code before visiting.
Is The Bar Below open late?
Yes. The Bar Below is open until 12 AM every day in London, with daily hours from 5 PM to 12 AM.
