(Photo: Courtesy of The Cow)
Whether you’re office based or have spent the day hunkering down with a laptop in a café or coworking space, Notting Hill’s freelancer community is blessed with a huge choice of watering holes in which to enjoy an after-work tipple.
The famous West London neighbourhood is home to a vibrant mix of commercial and cultural life, evidenced in its huge assortment of pubs and bars. If you’ve been keeping your nose to the grindstone and fancy rewarding yourself with a post-work beverage or three, either with colleagues or solo, there are plenty of venues dotted around the district that are standing ready to welcome your patronage. We’ve selected five of our favourites below.
The Cow
Located on the northern edge of Notting Hill, this popular Anglo-Irish gastropub is something of a Notting Gill institution, with its reputation extending far beyond the neighbourhood. Downstairs, the warm and cosy saloon bar is characterised by battered wooden stools, vintage Guinness posters and eccentric artwork, with a lively crowd lending it an unpretentious feel. A well-poured pint of Guinness is the house speciality, accompanied by a plate of oysters. For after-work drinks with a local flavour, it’s hard to beat.
89 Westbourne Park Road
Franklin’s Wine
An easy stroll from Portobello Road, Franklin’s Wine is a delightful little independent wine bar that has gained a loyal following since opening its doors back in 2020. Warm lighting, wooden furnishings and artwork adorn the walls, while a curated wine list caters for every taste and budget, with knowledgeable sommeliers on hand to offer recommendations. Cocktails are also available, and cheese and charcuterie boards provide the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely post-work drink.
305 Westbourne Grove
The Pelican
Occupying a handsome Victorian building on a street running parallel to the famous Portobello Road, The Pelican is one of Notting Hill’s most fashionable gastropubs. Its gorgeously restored interiors combine pale wood, leather banquettes and softly lit corners with an inviting, traditional pub look and feel. The atmosphere is fun and sociable, attracting a stylish crowd of locals and after-work drinkers. Alongside a fine choice of beers, wines and cocktails, there’s also an acclaimed menu of hearty British dishes.
45 All Saints Road
Viajante87
Nestled beneath the Gate cinema almost directly opposite Notting Hill Gate Underground station, Viajante87 is an intimate basement cocktail bar that’s not only a great spot for an after-work drink, but also perfectly placed for a quick getaway for your train ride home. The interior features plush velvet seating, candlelit tables and tropical greenery, with Latin America providing the inspiration behind the inventive drinks menu, which boasts enticing favourites including tequila and mezcal. Resident DJs add to the buzzing atmosphere as the weekend approaches.
87 Notting Hill Gate
The Elgin
Housed within a Grade II-listed Victorian building on the corner of Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park Road, The Elgin is one of Notting Hill’s most characterful pubs. Inside, original wood panelling, ornate stained glass, grand chandeliers and plush seating help create a refined atmosphere, but not at the expense of its relaxed, sociable feel. Drinks-wise, there’s a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails, while live sport screenings and an outdoor terrace enhance its appeal as an after-work watering hole.
96 Ladbroke Grove