‘Easygoing with punchy cocktails’: this Dalston spot is London’s coolest bar in 2026

Time Out has just dropped the 2026 edition of London’s best bars. And whatever sort of evening you’re after, there’s a venue in there that’ll sort you out. If you want a cross between Spanish Riviera and old school east London, for example, head for Cafe Kick; if you want African-Caribbean inspired drinks with a carefully curated soundtrack, go to Jumbi; if you want a sleek Parisian style joint, go to Lower Wine Bar.

Like we said, there’s a brilliant bar for every mood and occasion in the city. And if it’s an indisputably cool place you want, look no further than Ellie’s in Dalston, which we named the coolest bar in London for 2026. 

Time Out contributor Lisa Wright called the Kingsland Road venue an ‘easy-going neighbourhood drinking spot that’s big on vibes and low on unnecessary pretence’. On a balmy summer’s day, the best seats in the house are out on the pavement. Order the tart raspberry daiquiri, the spicy marg or the £8 martini, and if you stop by after work, take advantage of its Wednesday happy hour deals and get a £5 Guinness or £6 spritz. 

The bar is soundtracked by alt throwbacks and, in a rarity for bars in this city, it never shuts earlier than midnight (1am on Wednesdays and Sundays and 2am Thursday to Saturday). There’s no food menu right now but there are reportedly future plans for kitchen residencies.

Ellie’s is also often the venue of choice for artsy launch parties, trendy supper clubs and, though not in Soho, for extremely chic literary night, Soho Reading Series. And in case you need any more convincing of this place’s cool credentials, it was where Charli xcx held her wedding afterparty. There you go. 

🍸 Read the full top 50 best bars in London list here.

ICYMI: Three new clubs were just added to Time Out’s list of the greatest nightclubs in London. 

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