Portobello Road, long celebrated for its bohemian spirit and eclectic charm, is also home to some of London’s most distinctive bars. From intimate speakeasies and award-winning tiki lounges to heritage pubs and contemporary cocktail houses, the street presents a spirited journey through mixology, tradition and design. Each establishment tells a story — whether of craft or community — and together they illustrate why Portobello remains one of the capital’s most dynamic destinations for drinking and dining.
Naked & Famous Bar
Characterised by its inventive tastes and American speakeasy concept, this craft cocktail bar established in the quaint street of Notting Hill around 2013, is centred around intimacy and bold mixology. A subsidiary of zēphyr, its signature orange light and understated velveteen interiors draw visitors in, implying also the establishment’s departure from elaborate decor. Dim lights bouncing off the tangerine-toned pop of colour create a sophisticated, almost clandestine atmosphere. It’s the kind of study in its craft that draws cocktail lovers straight through its doors.
Naked & Famous Bar is built exclusively around the art of mixology, which explains its lack of an elaborate eatables menu. Its comprehensive curation of speciality drinks, on the other hand, spoils guests for choice. In addition to its classics, digestifs and “fauxtails” among other features, the bar is renowned for its experimentation with rotating seasonal cocktails, unusual spirits and techniques including mezcal, absinthe and molecular elements. This specialisation in creativity, balance and precision has earned them accolades from Time Out London and The Evening Standard for cutting-edge mixology and a feature in London’s Top 50 Bars.
Where: 100 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QD, United Kingdom
Trailer Happiness
Founded in 2003, Trailer Happiness is an award-winning rum lounge and cocktail bar with a tropical Tiki twist. Accentuated by retro tiki décor with Polynesian motifs, bamboo and indoor greenery, and the lounge’s quintessentially dimly lit atmosphere, it is the perfect setup for a sip on the bar’s rum-forward offerings. Trailer Happiness is always alive with its mid-century lounge charm and music — especially live DJ weekends, with the premises also available for private hire.
Its extensive rum menu and specialisation in classic tiki cocktails like Mai Tai, Zombie and a vast daiquiri collection make it a regular haunt for connoisseurs with a refined palate for rum. The bar’s passion for all things rum is reflected in its innovative twists and house infusions, complete with tropical garnishes and dramatic presentation. One of London’s first modern tiki bars, it also engages a strong community through rum and cocktail masterclasses.
Where: 177 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY, United Kingdom
Portobello Rd Distillery @ The Star
Combining the charm of a traditional pub with artisanal spirit-making, this pub and gin distillery is steeped in heritage and craftsmanship. It produces Portobello Road Gin, served neat, in cocktails or as tasting flights, with seasonal gin variations also available. Defined by a casual yet refined environment, it has consistently been lauded for superior mixology and informed service and praised by The Guardian and Londonist for marrying local pub culture with artisanal craft gin. The distillery also houses The Ginstitute, London’s second-smallest museum and home to its 30L alembic still christened Copernicus the Second.
Their signature gin martinis and “Star G&T” are popular with gin aficionados. The distillery’s extensive menu features inventive notes like spiced chai distillate and lemongrass. With the base spirit distilled in England, botanical ingredients like juniper berries and orris from Tuscany, lemon peels from Spain, bitter orange peels from Haiti or Morocco, nutmeg from Indonesia and cassia bark from South East Asia, the international influence in its fine gin is unmistakable. This global sourcing also nods to a depth of character within the spirit.
Where: 171 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY, United Kingdom
The Castle
The inviting and calm sage green facade conceals a bustling energy within this historic British pub. Sought after by locals and tourists searching for a traditional pub experience, Time Out and Secret London praise The Castle for its storied charm and live music nights. Classic Victorian pub interiors, complete with wooden bars, fireplaces and traditional seating, render a cosy, warm and authentic ambience.
The pub offers a well-rounded menu of classics — British ales, cask beers, a modest cocktail menu, fine reds, hot and soft drinks, and traditional shots. In a slight change of pace from other entries in this list, the emphasis for The Castle remains on quality and authenticity rather than mixology theatrics. Its food menu echoes this ethos with familiar small plates, large plates and sides, among other items including its crispy mozzarella, slow-cooked steak & pale ale pie, and potato rosti chips. The establishment also adapts its menu seasonally, preserving classic flavours while celebrating holiday favourites.
Where: 225 Portobello Road London Greater, London W11 1LU, United Kingdom
Gold
This late-night cocktail lounge and neighbourhood restaurant was established in 2019 and is defined by a buoyant atmosphere. With different floors offering a different setup — including the rooftop terrace available for events — Gold stands out as a versatile space enjoyed by guests and groups alike. Characterised by trendy interiors and stylish lighting, the lounge is built for nightlife experiences where music sets the tone. This setup doesn’t just render a swanky look and feel but an Instagram-worthy ambience too. The concept behind Gold is to foster more honest, informal and laid-back wining and dining, both indoor and outdoor.
With a special focus on seasonality and mindful curation, the drinks menu is a contemporary list of low-intervention, organic, biodynamic and natural wines, with many being familiar appellations. With a few unusual libations and some from lesser-known regions gracing its list, the bar also offers simple seasonal treats. The food menu, on the other hand, showcases the best produce, cooked and prepared with minimal intervention, with a singular aim to fashion dishes that strike a balance between simplicity and taste. This concept translates into menu features like raw octopus carpaccio, grilled pepper vinaigrette, wood-roasted blue anneliese potatoes, chimichurri aioli, and salad with feta, cherries, braised shallots and radicchio. Led by the practice of cooking with and over fire, timeless wood-roasted and slowly-charred eatables are signature to Gold.
Where: 95-97 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB, United Kingdom
Closing thoughts
Collectively, these venues embody the diversity and depth of Portobello Road’s bar scene. Whether one seeks the intimacy of a dimly lit speakeasy, the conviviality of a classic pub, or the vibrancy of a modern lounge, Portobello Road delivers with a character uniquely its own — a microcosm of London’s broader drinking culture unfolding on a single street.
