Satan's Whiskers, a five-star bar in Bethnal Green, east London, has been named the 'Best International Cocktail Bar' at the 20th annual Spirited Awards, held in New Orleans on Thursday night (July 23, 2026). The Cambridge Heath Road venue, which opened in 2013, has long been recognised as one of the world's finest cocktail bars.
Unassuming exterior, world-class cocktails
Despite its unassuming dive-bar appearance, Satan's Whiskers offers a smartly modish interior with vintage French posters, hip hop on the stereo, and an extensive menu of over 400 cocktails. The bar focuses on classic and modern classic drinks, with martinis, manhattans, and margaritas among the bestsellers, alongside its signature house twist, the Satan's Manhattan.
Time Out's five-star review by Lisa Wright notes: 'Looking every bit a down-and-out dive bar from the outside, you shouldn't judge Satan's Whiskers by its cover. Inside, there's hip hop on the stereo, a smartly modish setting, vintage French posters on the walls and some of the best cocktails to be found in Bethnal Green. Their menu changes often, with adventurous spirit combinations always at Satan's heart. But luckily, it's more of a laid-back neighbourhood hangout than an out-of-place, high-end cocktail bar.'
Accolades and recognition
This year alone, the Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards named Satan's Whiskers the best cocktail bar in London and the third best in the UK. It also won Bar of the Year and Best Bar in London & the South East at the CLASS Bar Awards 2026. The 50-seat, dimly lit bar is soundtracked by old-school hip hop.
Top 50 Cocktail Bars said earlier this year: 'In a bar landscape populated by ever-more esoteric themes, Satan's Whiskers is the antidote, standing plainly and proudly as a cocktail bar, nothing less, nothing more,' adding that guests can expect 'ice-cold cocktails delivered to your table within little more than five minutes.'
The Spirited Awards
The Spirited Awards are held annually as part of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. The winners are chosen by a global panel of over 250 industry experts, including London bar professional Ryan Chetiyawardana, who serves as international Spirited Awards chair. Last year, Covent Garden's Side Hustle won the 'Best International Hotel Bar' award.
