All Bar One Houndsditch

You'll find yourself ducking into All Bar One on Houndsditch when you've got an hour to kill between meetings or you're after somewhere that actually feels like a proper bar rather than a theme park. It's all dark wood, low lighting, and the kind of crowd that knows the difference between a Sancerre and a Sauvignon Blanc. The wine selection is genuinely impressive—they know what they're doing here—and the cocktails don't mess about either. There's a real neighbourhood feel to it despite being steps from Liverpool Street, with staff who chat rather than fawn, and you'll spot regulars perched at the bar nursing a glass like they own the place.