3 Best Bars in London, England

Nab a rickety candlelit table in the atmospheric, 1890s, low-slung, brick-vaulted cellar interior of what claims to be the oldest wine bar in London, or sit outdoors in the long pedestrian-only alley garden that runs alongside it. There are no reservations, so be prepared to line up outside during busy periods, like after work and on sunny afternoons. Either way, the mood is always cheery as a diverse crowd sips on more than 70 different wines, ports, and sherries. Tempting cheese and meat plates are great for sharing.

There's not a lot of room to spare at this neighborhood wine bar a little way off the main drag in Shoreditch, but that's part of the charm. Squeezing past your fellow drinkers to find a spot at the bar tiled with sidewalk skylights or at a table against a bare brick wall feels like arriving at a friend's party. At over 300 bins long, the wine list can seem intimidating, but the staff is happy to steer you in the right direction, particularly with the extensive range of skins and orange wines.

Specializing in low-intervention "natural wines" (organic, unfiltered, biodynamic, and sustainably produced with minimal added ingredients), Terroirs wine bar has an unusually large selection of 290 wines from small French and artisan winemakers. Red, white, sparkling and macerated orange and amber wines are served along with delicious, relatively simple wine-friendly dishes—charcuterie, tapas, cheese, and more substantial French-inspired dishes—at a bar and bare oak tables surrounded by whitewashed walls and wooden floors.