The Cellar Club (previously 214 Bermondsey)

You descend into Bermondsey's basement drinking scene and find yourself in a space that feels genuinely lived-in rather than Instagram-engineered. The Cellar Club does exactly what it says: honest cocktails in a setting that prioritises craft over theatre. There's something refreshingly straightforward about a bar that's been quietly doing its thing (under its old name, 214 Bermondsey, for years) without screaming for attention. The bartenders know what they're doing—expect proper technique, quality spirits, and drinks that don't arrive looking like they've been through a wind tunnel. It's the kind of place locals actually return to, not just tourists ticking boxes. Pairs naturally with dinner upstairs at Flour & Grape, or works perfectly as a standalone detour when you're exploring SE1's growing bar scene.