London doesn’t just have bars-it has entire worlds inside them. One night you’re sipping cocktails under a fake aurora borealis in a frozen tundra, the next you’re dancing on a 1920s speakeasy floor while a jazz band plays through a gramophone. The city’s themed bars and parties aren’t just decor-they’re full-immersion experiences that turn a drink into a story. If you’re looking for more than a pint and a playlist, here’s where to go for the most unforgettable nights out in 2025.
The Edison: Time Travel in the Heart of Soho
The Edison isn’t just a bar with vintage lamps and brass fixtures. It’s a full recreation of a 1920s underground laboratory-turned-speakeasy, complete with hidden doors, secret passwords, and a cocktail menu that reads like a scientist’s notebook. You won’t find a menu card-you’ll be handed a clipboard with handwritten options like ‘The Tesla’ (mezcal, lime, smoked salt) or ‘The Edison’s Cure’ (rye, absinthe, honey, bitters). The staff know your name by the third drink, and the lighting shifts from dim amber to deep blue as the night goes on. No one wears jeans here. Everyone dresses like they’re avoiding the FBI.
It’s not just for nostalgia. The Edison was named one of the top 50 bars in the world by World’s 50 Best Bars in 2024. It’s the kind of place where you’ll leave with a new favorite drink and a real sense of mystery.
The Box Soho: When the Party Is the Performance
Forget stage and audience-The Box Soho erases the line between them. This isn’t a club. It’s a cabaret theater where burlesque, drag, and circus acts happen inches from your table. The performers climb chandeliers, slide down poles made of ice, and whisper secrets into your ear as they pour your drink. The crowd? Fashion-forward, fearless, and often in costume. Some come in full corsets and top hats. Others wear nothing but glitter and confidence.
Doors open at 9 p.m., but the real magic starts after midnight. The house band mixes live jazz with electronic beats, and the lighting changes with every act-sometimes red, sometimes blacklight, sometimes strobing like a rave inside a Victorian mansion. You can’t just show up and expect to sit quietly. You’re part of the show. Bring your energy. Bring your camera. Bring your willingness to be amazed.
Bar 21: A 1980s Arcade Night You Can’t Unsee
Step into Bar 21 and you’re instantly transported to a neon-drenched arcade from 1987. Pac-Man blinks on the walls. Atari cabinets line the back wall. A giant Jenga tower sits beside the bar. The playlist? A curated mix of New Wave, synth-pop, and early hip-hop. The cocktails? Named after classic games: ‘Tetris’ (vodka, elderflower, lemon), ‘Pong’ (gin, cucumber, mint), and ‘Donkey Kong’ (rum, pineapple, chili syrup).
It’s not just themed-it’s interactive. You can challenge strangers to a game of Galaga for free shots. There’s a photo booth with props from ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘The Breakfast Club.’ The staff wear leg warmers and fingerless gloves. It’s chaotic, loud, and wildly fun. This is the bar where you’ll meet someone who becomes your friend for the rest of the night-and maybe longer.
Wiltons: The Oldest Private Members’ Bar with a Secret Party Twist
Wiltons opened in 1742. It’s the oldest private members’ club in London. But every Friday and Saturday, it opens its doors to the public for ‘Wiltons After Dark.’ The transformation is stunning. Crystal chandeliers glow. Waiters in tailcoats serve champagne and oysters. But the real draw? The live jazz trio that plays upstairs, and the hidden room behind the bookshelf where DJs spin rare vinyl from the 1960s to 1990s. The dress code? Smart casual. No trainers. No hoodies. No exceptions.
It’s not a rave. It’s not a club. It’s a secret party in a historic building where the vibe is elegant but loose. You’ll hear a saxophone solo drift down the stairs while someone whispers about the time Bowie played here in 1972. It’s quiet enough to talk, loud enough to dance. And the last call? 2 a.m. sharp-no exceptions.
Secret Cinema: When the Movie Is the Party
Secret Cinema doesn’t just show films. It turns them into full-scale, interactive events. For their 2025 winter season, they’re running ‘Blade Runner 2049’ in a warehouse in East London. You arrive dressed as a citizen of 2049-neon trench coats, synthetic hair, augmented reality glasses (provided). You’re given a mission: find a hidden message, meet a character, survive a checkpoint. The bar serves ‘Replicant Rum’ and ‘Voight-Kampff Vodka.’ The air smells like ozone and rain.
Over 3,000 people show up. Everyone is in character. You don’t watch the movie-you live it. The screening happens in a massive, fully built set with working elevators, holograms, and actors who never break character. You might end up in a chase scene with a replicant, or sharing a drink with a stranger who turns out to be a former cop. It’s expensive-£85 per ticket-but it’s not a night out. It’s a memory.
The Punch Room: Cocktails with a Side of Theater
Hidden behind a bookshelf in Covent Garden, The Punch Room feels like stepping into a Victorian gentleman’s club where someone decided to throw a party. The centerpiece? A giant copper punch bowl that’s refilled every hour with a new recipe. One night it’s spiced rum with citrus and ginger. The next, it’s gin with elderflower and smoked tea. You can order a single glass-or join the table and share the bowl.
The bartenders wear waistcoats and perform the punch-making like a ritual. They pour from a height. They stir with wooden paddles. They recite the ingredients like poetry. There’s live harp music. The walls are lined with antique books and taxidermy. It’s elegant. It’s strange. It’s unforgettable.
When to Go and What to Wear
Themed bars in London aren’t just about the drink-they’re about the ritual. Most require reservations, especially on weekends. Book at least two weeks ahead for The Edison, Secret Cinema, and The Box Soho. For Wiltons and The Punch Room, walk-ins are possible on weekdays but risky on Fridays.
Dress codes vary. The Edison and Wiltons demand smart attire. Bar 21 encourages creativity-wear what makes you feel like a character. The Box Soho? Go bold. Secret Cinema? You’re expected to dress as the film’s world. Don’t show up in jeans and a hoodie unless you want to be politely asked to leave.
What to Skip
Not every place with a costume is worth it. Avoid places like ‘Pirate Pub’ or ‘Zombie Night’ that rely on cheap props and loud music. The best themed bars in London don’t just decorate-they build worlds. If the theme feels like an afterthought, move on. Look for places where the staff know the lore, the drinks match the setting, and the music isn’t just Spotify on shuffle.
Final Tip: Go Alone
Themed bars in London are where strangers become friends. If you go with a group, you’ll stick together. If you go alone, you’ll end up at a table with someone who just finished a 12-hour shift as a stunt performer, or a retired opera singer who sings show tunes at the bar every Thursday. You’ll leave with a new story, a new drink, and maybe a new friend.
Are themed bars in London expensive?
Some are, some aren’t. Places like The Edison and The Punch Room charge £12-£18 for cocktails, which is on par with high-end bars in London. Secret Cinema tickets cost £85, but that includes full immersion, food, drinks, and a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else. Bar 21 and Wiltons After Dark are more affordable, with drinks around £10-£14. You get what you pay for-quality, atmosphere, and attention to detail.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, for most of the top spots. The Edison, The Box Soho, Secret Cinema, and The Punch Room require reservations weeks ahead, especially on weekends. Even Wiltons, which is more relaxed, fills up fast on Fridays. Use their websites or Bookatable to secure a spot. Walk-ins are rare and usually only work on weekday afternoons.
Can I go to these places alone?
Absolutely. In fact, many regulars go alone. Themed bars are designed to spark conversation. Staff often seat solo guests at shared tables. You’ll end up talking to someone who’s just as curious as you are. It’s one of the best ways to meet new people in London.
Are these places LGBTQ+ friendly?
Yes. London’s best themed bars are known for being inclusive. The Box Soho has been a safe space for queer performers and audiences for over a decade. The Edison, Wiltons, and The Punch Room welcome everyone regardless of identity. Bar 21 and Secret Cinema have large LGBTQ+ crowds. You’ll see drag queens, non-binary guests, and couples of all kinds-no judgment, just good vibes.
What’s the latest trend in London’s themed nightlife?
Immersive storytelling is the new standard. Bars are no longer just themed-they’re narrative-driven. Think interactive mysteries, time-travel cocktails, and pop-up worlds based on films or books. In 2025, Secret Cinema launched its first ‘Harry Potter’ experience in a repurposed library. The Edison added a time-travel bartender who speaks in 18th-century English. The trend isn’t about costumes-it’s about becoming part of the story.
