London's best hidden bars

Any London dweller who values their urban credentials loves finding a secret drinking den so underground and undetectable the tourists and hen parties will never find it. New York has long had such tucked-away treasures of bars and now a host of hidden gems are quietly popping up across London. This week party boy Mark Ronson was spotted leaving one Soho secret haunt, the New Evaristo Club. Here’s our pick of the best — just keep it on the QT, eh?

Callooh Callay
On a Shoreditch side street with only its Chanel-esque double-C logo to light the way, you’d be lucky to stumble upon this brand-new super-cool nightspot. The front bar is beautiful but you haven’t seen the half of it — Callooh Callay has a Lewis Carroll-style secret up its sleeve.
Peek through the wardrobe in the corner and an even glitzier world is revealed on the other side: a second room with low-lit nooks and crannies, quirky furnishings, and even an old-fashioned payphone. With sexy chaises longues, decadent lighting and a classy cocktail bar, it’s a secret Narnia of a hideaway world for Hoxton media types.
Rivington Street, EC2 (020 7739 4781, calloohcallaybar.com), Mon-Wed 5pm-11pm; Thurs midday-11pm; Fri-Sat midday-1am; Sun 6pm-11pm; beer £4, glass of wine £4.75

Lounge Bohemia
For covert conversation with canapés, step down the metal staircase into Lounge Bohemia. Here the Seventies-style bunker-like intimacy is ideal for a secret tryst. It’s truly quirky, with Fifties singers crooning through the speakers and menus covered in Czech literature. And with only as many people admitted as can be seated, you’re sure to stay incognito. Do call ahead, as visits are by appointment only.
1e Great Eastern Street, EC2 (07720 707000, lounge-bohemia.com), Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight;
Sun 6pm-11pm; beer £3.10, glass of wine £3.60.

New Evaristo Club
Also known as Trisha’s, after the madam who ran this one-time brothel, this is one of Soho’s best-kept secrets. Inside you’ll find a Formica-tabled oasis with mafia-style paraphernalia adorning the walls and the red lighting tipping a wink to the room’s glory days. But it may not be anonymous for much longer after Mark Ronson, his sister Charlotte and Klaxons frontman Jamie Reynolds were papped here this week.
57 Greek Street, W10 (020 7437 9536), times vary; beer or glass of wine £3

Upstairs Bar & Restaurant
Being buzzed into a side door on a residential street may feel like you’re about to go into someone’s flat, but Upstairs is far more lounge bar than living room. Sink into a leather recliner with a glass of wine, or dine on the highly rated Gallic fare. The calm atmosphere and slick design attracts smart professionals who know Upstairs is worth going down south for.
89b Acre Lane, SW2 (020 7733 8855), 6.30pm-1am Tues-Wed; 6.30pm-3.30am Thu-Sat; beer or glass of wine £3.50

Oliver’s Jazz & Piano Bar
Hidden in a basement behind imposing iron gates, Oliver’s is everything a jazz bar should be: slightly shabby, romantic, and very red. There are frequent live acts and the arty thirtysomething crowd feeds the lively atmosphere.
9 Nevada Street, SE10 (020 8858 5855, myspace.com/oliversmusicbar.com), opening times vary; beer £2.80, glass of wine £3.50

Ye Olde Mitre Tavern
Is this the hardest pub to find in London? Down an alley in Hatton Garden, its address seems to defy logic, but this 200-year-old watering hole is full of character. With nooks and crannies, wooden panelling, and pickled eggs and gherkins served with traditional ales, the Tavern is a celebration of yesteryear.
1 Ely Court, EC1 (020 7405 4751), 11am-11pm Mon-Fri; closed Sat-Sun. Beer £3.30, glass of wine £3.50

Shunt Lounge
Squirrelled away under the arches at London Bridge station, this cavernous 100-year-old vault proves hidden bars needn’t be intimate affairs. At the end of the long, rather eerie passageway a laidback crowd and the odd emo await in a sprawling bar area among pianos, trees and pinball machines. Lively indie music makes the most of the acoustics.
20 Joiner Street, SE1 (020 7378 7776, shunt.co.uk), 6pm-3.30am Mon-Sat; entry fee may apply; beer £3.50, glass of wine £4