The Best Bars and Pubs in Aldgate
Want to have a cheeky drink and experience London nightlife while at university? We’ve handpicked a selection of bars and pubs near Aldgate where you can kick back and relax with a drink, whether you’re taking a break from your studies, hanging out after work, celebrating a recent submission, or just living the student life filled with fun nights out.
From chilled-out restaurant bars to cosy pubs and stylish cocktails bars, here are the best bars in Aldgate for you to explore and enjoy.
Top Ten Aldgate Bars and Pubs
Jin Bo Law
Located right outside Aldgate Station is Jin Bo Law, the newest rooftop bar in the City of London. Elevate to the 14th floor of Dorsett City Hotel in Aldgate and experience the breathtaking views of London’s most iconic skyline. Explore the rooftop terrace and cast your eyes upon the fantastic views of Tower Bridge, the Shard, the Walkie Talkie, the Gherkin and more. The interior design offers a sleek and contemporary finish with small touches of yellow and a contrasting dark marble floor blending nicely with an Asian inspired bar.
Browse through the carefully curated cocktail menu that takes you through a journey of mixology, transforming the most unique ingredients into unexpected treasures, such as Dragon Air, a Fizz from a Rose and Butterfly Punch.
Slug and Lettuce Aldgate
The newest addition to the popular Slug and Lettuce brand is perfectly situated within a relaxed saunter of Aldgate and Tower Hill stations in the heart of the city.
Slug and Lettuce Aldgate has been beautifully refurbished into a funky floral oasis split across three floors with spaces for drinks, cocktail making classes and meals. There is a small outdoor space, to enjoy the summer days and nights.
Take a virtual tour of the bar
Flooded with natural daylight, the space is light and airy during the day, a perfect setting for a business meeting, breakfast, or spot of lunch. By night, the venue dominates the area with its passion for cocktail making and resident DJ that plays every Thursday and Friday night in the Abbey Vaults downstairs. Great way to kick start your weekend.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to host a corporate party, a cocktail masterclass, or a catch up with friends, Slug & Lettuce Aldgate is has something for everyone with great deals on food and drinks throughout the week.
Dirty Martini Minories
Situated just a short walk from Fenchurch Street Station in the City of London, Dirty Martini Minories is the ideal venue for hosting stylish corporate events, after-work drinks, client entertaining and cocktail master classes to learn how to stir and shake your favourite martinis!
The Crosswall
The Crosswall boasts a vibrant atmosphere enjoyed in a modern interior with wholesome pub food.
Close to the iconic Tower Bridge, it’s the perfect destination for casual lunches, dinner dates and after-work drinks. Their traditional, British menu is flavoursome and made with quality ingredients and they have an extensive drinks list to suit everyone.
Beneath The Crosswall you will find their secret lounge, complete with decadent furnishings and its own cocktail bar. With bookable tables on both floors, they cater for a variety of occasions such as meetings, private events, and parties.
Patch East
Patch East is a Shoreditch style cocktail bar that has an outlandish and flamboyant design, bespoke cocktails, eclectic food fare and most importantly the most fun staff anywhere in London.
They boast several unique areas ideal for group bookings boasting a Ski Lodge, Le Boudoir, Art Deco Miami and The Shinjuku, making it the perfect spot to relax, unwind, drink, eat and dance long into the night.
In the early evening, expect disco house, commercial remixes, and funk beats to sit back and enjoy whilst sipping on drinks such as bespoke cocktails, selected organic wines and comprehensive spirits selection and tucking into some delicious seasonal bar bites & generous sharing plates.
Patch East is the second venture for Patch following on from the hugely popular Patch St Paul’s venue.
Trinity Bell
The Trinity Bell is a “Modern Traditional” venue that embodies the vibrancy and energy of The City of London.
The diversity and uniqueness of London also lends itself to The Trinity Bell; whatever the requirement of your evening it can be met. The venue has a stunning basement Gin Parlour which is home to over 50 Gins, a food menu offering the sumptuous best of British cuisine and a selection of drinks to stimulate any palate.
If you are looking for an enjoyable, hospitable, and memorable city pub experience, The Trinity Bell is the place to be!
All Bar One Houndsditch
All Bar One Houndsditch is a stylish city bar amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, within easy reach of Aldgate, Shoreditch, and Liverpool Street. The popular bar is perfect for lunch, dinner or just a few drinks at the bar after work.
The seasonal menus and delicious cocktail and wine list offer something for everyone. With daily offers such as Tapas Tuesday and 4’O Clock cocktails for guests to enjoy. Choose from the main menu for a full meal or just try some of the world Tapas for something lighter.
Celebrate any special occasion at All Bar One Houndsditch by booking your own private space for a meal or just drinks. With a variety of party packages for both food and drink and offering a cocktail masterclass, it is perfect for groups or those working to a budget.
Searcys At The Gherkin
There are few spots on the London landscape as striking as Searcys at The Gherkin. Pair high-end design with a range of carefully selected champagnes and contemporary cooking, all while enjoying panoramic views from the top level of one of London’s most iconic skyscrapers.
Perched high above the city now on both level 39 and top-level 40, HELIX restaurant offers epic 360° views to the public. The new all-day dining menu is led by seasonal and local produce. Highlights include starters of Searcys smoked salmon and crab and apple or Baked heritage beetroot salad with roast hazelnuts and nasturtium. Mains feature fresh chervil gnocchi, Parmesan and Goosnaugh chicken and morel and tarragon fricassee. Perfect for celebrations and fine dining!
The Alchemist London – Bevis Marks
The Alchemist is a chic restaurant and cocktail bar keeping city-dwellers topped up with fresh coffee in the morning, innovative cocktails at night and great food in between.
You’ll find this exciting plot in the heart of the City; close to Aldgate station and with a front-row view of the Gherkin coming as standard. The menu looks nothing short of spectacular, with fish and chips squaring up alongside premium steaks, fajitas, and katsu curries to give quite the diverse package.
The Alchemist’s prized location makes it perfect for after work drinks, and the comprehensive drinks menu means that previously planned ‘swift one’ could escalate into an impromptu evening out. They also offer a cocktail masterclass experience for those great fun parties!
Apples and Pears
Apples & Pears, an independent, fun cocktail bar near Aldgate East; they serve fabulously mixed drinks, whilst introducing colourful flavours and ingredients. Expect an innovative range from their drinks menu like cocktails such as the No Whey Jose, #Fyrefestival and Cococabana, and a range of premium spirits, wines, and beer on tap!
The music programme at Apples & Pears is eclectic and lively spinning records from funk, soul, old school hip hop, 80s/90s and party classics at the weekends with live music during the week. Feeling peckish? A wood fired pizza menu is available so you can order pizzas to your table. They also have a fully heated beer garden for all-year-round alfresco revelry, offering heated cocktails come winter.
If you’re planning on studying in London, you can still take a break from revising and enjoy the London nightlife. The bars and pubs in Aldgate have something for everyone, so staying in the City of London is a popular choice for students. For accommodation for your studies, check out our student accommodation in London.