Southwark Bars & Nightlife

This botanical bar that crowns the Mondrian's Sea Containers on the Thames is stewarded by mixologist of the moment, Ryan Chetiyawardana. Besides his innovative cocktails—many made with high-tech techniques all his own—the Tom Dixon-designed space is plushly outfitted, and there are unparalleled views of the Thames both on the top floor of the hotel, and downstairs.

Ever since 2008, Frank's Cafe—a bar located on top of a parking garage in Peckham—has been the neighborhood's main hub for summertime drinking. It's fairly bare bones when it comes to drinks and presentation—cocktails are pretty standard and you dine at shared picnic tables—but the sunset views across South London make navigating the always crowded concrete rooftop worthwhile. There are a lot of good up-and-coming galleries in the area, too, including Hannah Barry and The Sunday Painter. This means that the best nights to head over are after the gallery openings, when many of the neighborhood's young artists and curators head out for a celebratory drink, and this installment of the pop-up's light, Mediterranean-inspired fare.