Cocktail Bar Review (1): SWIFT SOHO -- London

The first stop on my journey to explore London's best cocktail bars was SWIFT SOHO, located in the heart of the West End. This area buzzes with the energy of a youthful London, full of cutting-edge fashion, bold brands, and glowing theatre posters. Walking from Trafalgar Square, both the main streets and hidden alleys seem to shout the same three words: "Long live youth."

SWIFT SOHO is cleverly split into two levels. What makes it special is that the upstairs and downstairs bars each have a distinct drinks menu and slightly different styles. Typically, the upstairs is a walk-in space, while the downstairs operates on a reservation basis -- but solo guests are often given more flexible arrangements.

I arrived around 8 PM. Though it was a weekday, the place was already lively. Couples, friends, colleagues, and solo adventurers like myself filled the room, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and social. The upstairs area is bright and modern, decorated in white with mirrors and black-and-white stripes. A waiter led me downstairs, where the ambience shifted. Warm oak tones, leather booths, dim lighting, and retro decor created a cosy contrast to the sleek vibe upstairs. Yet, both spaces were tied together by their stylish use of mirrors and clean lines.

The drinks menu downstairs was a simple black-and-white booklet, titled the 'Backstage Drink List,' inspired by the theatre district’s behind-the-scenes workers. Each cocktail is described on the left-hand page, with an illustration inspired by the drink on the right. After a quick flip through, I landed on the drink I came here for: Irish Coffee.

I once tried a coffee version of this in a U.S. Starbucks, an Irish Cream Cold Brew, which became my go-to fuel for getting through university deadlines. As someone who loves both coffee and alcohol, that drink became a small and dazzling secret of mine. Yet I hadn’t found anything like it outside the States, not even in Starbucks abroad. So, how could I not try a highly praised Irish Coffee at one of the UK’s Top 50 cocktail bars?

The drink arrived in a glass that looked like a souvenir from a whisky distillery tour. It was a generous pour, with a thick cream cap on the deep coffee-colored liquid, topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Only when I picked it up did I realise this cocktail was hot.

I took a sip in surprise.

How stunning.

The smoky whiskey was softened by rich coffee and just a touch of sweet demerara sugar, leaving behind a deep aroma. The cream cap and nutmeg added a warm, nutty finish. The heat kept everything beautifully melded, creating a drink that felt like a symphony of flavours conducted by dopamine itself. In chilly early-spring London, this was the perfect companion. At just £11, it felt like a shockingly affordable indulgence in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

As I chatted with the friendly bartender and enjoyed this magnificent drink, I knew I’d found a place worth returning to -- again and again. Maybe next time, I’ll stay long enough to try more than just the one that brought me here.

Irish Coffee Ingredients:

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey, Swift x Send Filter Coffee, Demerara sugar, Cream, Nutmeg

Location: 12 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TQ