Drinking cocktails at Scarfes Bar in London

Scarfes Bar, tucked inside the Rosewood London hotel, feels like the sort of London bar you hear before you fully see it: a little jazz in the room, Gerald Scarfe’s wit on the walls, and a cocktail list with a theatrical streak.

The bar ranks No. 31 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025, with award-winning drinks and a room that manages to feel polished without losing its pulse.

What to Know Before You Go

• Location: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
• Contact: +44 20 3747 8670 | info@scarfesbar.com
• Hours: Open daily, 4 PM to late
• Live Music: Jazz, soul, and blues nightly (no cover charge)
• Cocktail Prices: £20 to £24 ($25 to $30), non-alcoholic options ~£12 ($15)

The 2025 cocktail menu, "Long Drawn Out Sip," takes its inspiration from Gerald Scarfe’s memoir. Signatures such as Toothless Grin and Shadow Dancer lean into the bar’s taste for drama, from the glassware to the final flourish.

With plush seating, fireplaces, and a whisky cannon as its centrepiece, Scarfes Bar gives you two distinct moods: quieter early evenings from 4 PM to 7 PM, then a livelier room once the music begins after 7 PM. Reservations are limited to large groups or hotel guests, so arrive early if you are walking in.

If you like your cocktails with artwork on the walls and music in the room, Scarfes Bar London is worth putting high on your London list.

The Cocktail Menu

Scarfes Bar is known for a bold hand behind the bar, with a cocktail menu that reflects the room’s artistic, animated character. The 2025 menu, titled "Long Drawn Out Sip," takes its cue from Gerald Scarfe's memoir, Long Drawn Out Trip: A Memoir. It is a clever starting point for drinks shaped by the same eccentricity you see in the decor and hear in the room.

Featured Cocktails from the 2025 Menu

The 2025 menu brings together classic cocktail structure and more theatrical turns. Each drink is built to carry the bar’s artistic point of view, with flavour and presentation working in tandem.

Cocktail Philosophy

Scarfes Bar works from the guiding principle of "A Creative Menu of Cocktails". That idea gives the team room to stretch beyond traditional mixology, pairing inventive drinks with light bites and a few well-timed surprises along the way.

Live Music and Bar Environment

Scarfes Bar has the warmth of a proper hotel bar, sharpened by live music and a room designed for lingering. It feels intimate when you want conversation, lively when the band settles in.

Music Schedule and Performance Types

Every night, Scarfes Bar hosts live performances across jazz, soul, and blues - all without any cover charge. The lineup changes regularly, so the room rarely feels static. Cozy seating and an intimate layout make it easy to settle in, and the music gives conversations a natural rhythm. If you want the full version of the bar, time your visit for the live music hours.

That mix of performance and design is central to the appeal of Scarfes Bar.

Visitor Information and Tips

Before you head to Scarfes Bar, it helps to know how seating works, what drinks cost, and when the room shifts from calm to high energy.

Reservations and Seating Policy

Scarfes Bar primarily operates on a walk-in basis, with reservations available only for large groups or in-house hotel guests. Each table is allocated for 1.5 hours, enough time for a couple of cocktails. If you are visiting with a group of six or more, or staying at the hotel, contact the bar directly to secure a reservation. Tables are held for only 15 minutes past the reserved time, so arrive promptly. Children under 18 are not allowed in the bar after 6:00 PM.

Drink Prices and Costs

Cocktails at Scarfes Bar range from £20 to £24 (approximately $25 to $30). Signature cocktails such as the Toothless Grin are priced at £22 ($27), while Retail Therapy and Shadow Dancer are available at £24 ($30). At a slightly lower price, The Nutcracker is offered at £20 ($25). Non-alcoholic cocktails, including the Lost & Found 0%, are priced around £12 (about $15). The tariff reflects the ingredients, the precision behind the bar, the live music, the atmosphere, and the theatrical presentation.

When to Visit

Timing will shape your evening. For a quieter, more intimate setting, arrive between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Those hours suit business meetings, quiet dates, or time spent taking in the decor, including the iconic whisky cannon and Gerald Scarfe's distinctive artwork.

"Time your visit for when you'll hear something swinging, which usually starts around 7pm." - Leonie Cooper, Food & Drink Editor, Time Out London

If you want jazz, soul, and blues in full flow, plan for peak music hours after 7:00 PM. The room becomes busier and more animated, better suited to a London night out than a hushed drink. Choose the hour that suits your mood.

Why Visit Scarfes Bar

Scarfes Bar has earned its place among London’s leading cocktail bars. Ranked No. 31 on The World's 50 Best Bars in 2025, it is a room where creativity and craft meet under the guidance of Director Andy Loudon.

What distinguishes Scarfes Bar is not only the ranking, but the experience around it. Gerald Scarfe's signature artwork lines the walls, giving the space a mix of polish and mischief. That playful refinement suits the cocktails beautifully.

The bar takes a theatrical approach to mixology, using inventive ingredients and presentation with real visual impact. Taste matters, of course, but here the whole gesture counts.

Live jazz, soul, and blues add another layer throughout the week. Whether you want a measured early drink or a more animated night, Scarfes Bar adjusts to the tempo.

Set within the luxurious Rosewood London hotel, the bar’s curated design and warm atmosphere make it feel both exclusive and welcoming. For cocktail lovers, or anyone after a more polished London evening, Scarfes Bar brings together art, music, and mixology in a way that feels unmistakably of the city.

FAQs

What makes the cocktail menu at Scarfes Bar stand out?

Scarfes Bar approaches mixology with imaginative and theatrical cocktail creations. Each drink brings together unusual ingredients and artistic presentation, creating an experience that’s equal parts fun and sophisticated.

The 2025 menu, Long Drawn Out Sip, pays tribute to the memoirs of Gerald Scarfe, the bar’s namesake. It features 24 cocktails, each with its own story and character. One to note is the Toothless Grin, made with Rémy Martin 1738, Medjool dates, and evaporated beetroot - a clear example of the bar’s appetite for innovation and detailed craft. Whether you know your way around a cocktail list or simply want a memorable night, Scarfes Bar promises plenty to linger over.

What’s the best way to secure a spot at Scarfes Bar during busy times?

Scarfes Bar mainly welcomes walk-ins, though hotel guests and groups of six or more can make reservations. If you want a seat, arrive early, as the room usually picks up after 8:00 PM. Larger groups should contact the bar directly to discuss special arrangements.

How does live music contribute to the experience at Scarfes Bar?

Live music at Scarfes Bar gives the evening its lift. Across the week, guests hear jazz, soul, and blues, setting a vibrant but comfortable mood that sits well with the bar's signature cocktails and elegant setting.

The live performances follow a set schedule: Monday through Saturday from 8:00 PM to midnight, and Sundays from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. That regular rhythm adds to the bar's appeal, especially if you are planning a proper night out.