5 of the best themed bars in London

By Carrie Larwood, June 30, 2014

What a strange but utterly brilliant little pub. As the name indicates, this establishment is fitted out with an astonishingly large amount of Holmes memorabilia, some of which is quite rare and very beautiful, and at other times, very odd indeed and often implausibly funny.

The ideal place to buy an enthusiast a pint, you can enjoy a jug of Sherlock Holmes ale here, which is brewed on site and actually goes down really quite nicely. Pub grub is available and of good quality, and there’s a sheltered and secluded beer garden…which the venue has still managed to kit out in accordance with its theme.

The Aviary Bar, Westminster

A little on the pricey side but well worth a look on a special occasion, The Aviary Bar’s interior is worlds apart from the city streets outside. A cave-like environment has been cleverly created here, and an array of tropical fish tanks, luxurious private coves and expertly placed coloured lighting complete the underground atmosphere (literally and figuratively).

A neon-lit dance floor adds a touch of modern glamour and the cocktails are exotic and eclectic – you’ll feel a million dollars during your evening of weird and wonderful fun at The Aviary Bar, and remember, the dress code is strictly ‘dress to impress’!

Kona Kai, Fulham

Kona Kai is London’s only Polynesian style bar. It’s a little bit like a Rainforest Café for grown ups – with stunning carved wood lining the walls, drinks served in coconut shells and antique lobster pots and fishing gear hanging from the ceiling. If you need a holiday but can’t have one right now, this is a good place to start in getting your ‘I could do with escaping the UK for a bit’ fix.

The menu is highly unusual, but the staff are enthusiastic to describe these unfamiliar ingredients to you and recommend the things you may like – and we haven’t had a bad meal here yet. This is great place to go if you want to put your team out of their comfort zone for some informal after-office bonding, or if you feel an evening of culinary adventurousness suddenly coming on with a group of friends.

Sugar Cane, Clapham Junction

Much like Kona Kai, this is like a tiny holiday destination hidden in bustling urban London. It has more of a beachfront feel to it, and offers a laid back Hawaiian vibe.

A brilliant place to let your hair down, indulge in fabulously fruity cocktails and chill out amongst a peaceful crowd of regulars, Sugar Kane also has a varied menu of seafood and meat, as well as a party menu (or buffet menu) for special occasions. There are also lots of funky little nooks and crannies around the venue, which serve perfectly as a place where you can get a little privacy while still having access to all the action going on in this lively, vibrant London bar.

Bounce London, Holborn

This definitely qualifies as a themed bar, and the theme is, quite simply, ping pong madness. Particularly popular with more adventurous office parties, 17 ping pong tables mixed with stylish neon lights and a great selection of food & drink make this a really great destination for an unusual night out.

Enormous wood-fire pizzas are the specialty here, but you’ll also find a good range of bar snacks and hearty cuts of meat from the grill. This looks and feels like an expensive venue, but actually, a pint of lager comes in at around £4 – and the big screens will play a mixture of sporting events so there’s no arguing over the remote control! A fabulous private dining room also resides here, and there are plenty of large booths that can be reserved for group bookings.

To book your next party or event at any of these venues, you can call us or fill out or online form to get great deals on venue hire, catering and entertainment!