First up is The NightJar in Old Street. Transport yourself to a world of 1920’s Speakeasy surrounds; a night of classic cocktails, smooth Jazz and Americana sounds lie in wait. This is such a cool bar and represents the current trend towards prohibition era style bars. Every time I have been the cocktail menu has inspired and surprised me and we thoroughly enjoyed listening to the smooth sounds of the jazz band playing. This really is a place to impress so bring your date, drag your friends or just come down yourself as The NightJar is making big waves in Shoreditch. Booking is essential here as there are often Live Music events where space is at a premium around the bar.

I remain East in my top London 2011 bars, moving a little further across into the heart of Shoreditch over to Curtain Road. NinetyEight Bar is destined to be the coolest and most creative bar in Shoreditch. The unique Cocktail menu and fabulous décor will surprise and amaze you. If you walk past Ninety Eight Bar then it is highly likely that you will miss as the sign is tucked away and a spiral staircase it subtly placed to lead you down into this magical wonderland of creations and cocktails. The owner Cath has done her best to create toys, gadgets and cocktails to keep you coming back for more. You can dip your finger in the candle wax and rub into your skin as it doubles up as moisturiser! Look out for the infused spirits, lavender infused vodka is a speciality here.

Number 3 on my list is the West End’s very own underground prohibition Speakeasy bar that captures all that is great of the 1920’s golden age with the most innovative cocktails in London. Purl bar in London is a 20s speakeasy in the heart of Marylebone, serving up theatrical and experimental cocktails. Prepare to be amazed, wowed and downright impressed by the team’s mixology efforts, whilst you sit back and relax. The name Purl comes from a 19th century beverage that was commonly sold on the streets of London. The drink consists of warm ale, gin and spices. It’s in keeping with our theme of late 19th century birth of cocktails along with pre-prohibition cocktail culture and the art deco period… plus Purl is a nice word (it’s also the sound that water makes when it flows over rocks). Contrary to the vintage drinking era that Purl will typify, the cocktail list will be an ever-evolving mixture of hard core classics and forward thinking sensory peculiarities. You’ll have to pop on down to find out more, but look out for foams, caviar, homemade infusions, home-aged bitters, ice carving and even liquid nitrogen.

I head south for number 4 bar of London 2011. Clapham has a new bar on its hands, Venn Street Records, and Clapham is lucky to have this brand new neighbourhood bar offering up the Good Times of Rock n Roll and tasty drinks with Happy Hour prices! There is a happy hour on most nights of the week and this is a music lovers dream with records stacked up around the bar and constantly great music on the stereo, ranging from Beastie Boys to Foals and back to Motown classics. Venn Street Records, Clapham, is a lot of fun and perfect for music lovers.

The final bar of London 2011 is The London Cocktail Club. This is an effortlessly cool, laid back basement bar where food and cocktails collide, including a bacon and egg martini. As the same suggests cocktails are the focus here so come ready to explore everything that is a great about this classic drink. There is more on offer than just cocktails especially when set in the media district so expect the young and beautiful on arrival.