La Bodega Negra

It’s not been easy for tequila to shake off its image as a student/stag do favourite, however Mexican restaurants like La Bodega Negra are proving there is more to it than being an aid for drunken pranks. Here there are around 35 varieties of tequila which you can purchase as a shot, carafe or bottle. There’s plenty on the cocktail list too: try the Afilador, with tequila, absinthe, lilletblanc, orange liqueur and maraschino.

Nope, you're not in the wrong place at La Bodega Negra. If you book a first date here with the aim of impressing with your insider knowledge — for the love of God, be aware that the secret entrance looks like a strip joint. And a very convincing one at that. It’s slap bang in the middle of Soho and says GIRLS in huge neon signage. But beyond the risqué facade, you're in safe date territory. Inside is an authentic Mexican restaurant with a bar menu packed with margaritas and lashings of tequila.

mood Secret entrance looks like a strip joint; huge neon 'GIRLS' signage; authentic Mexican restaurant.

Low Mexican restaurant. Best street-style Mexican food in London. Located in Soho, Central London. La Bodega Negra combines the sophistication of a low-lit lounge with the bold flavours of Mexican classics. You can’t go wrong with the satisfying crunch of freshly made tortilla chips washed down with one of their iconic mezcal or tequila cocktails. Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy chile con carne or a refreshing…

mood sophistication of a low-lit lounge

This glamorous Mexican restaurant was one of the first to offer mezcal. The drinks are strong and there is plenty to look at. Shoreditch set-designer Eden has dotted the restaurant with Day of the Dead Barbies and hung it with wooden chairs.

mood This glamorous Mexican restaurant... The drinks are strong and there is plenty to look at. Shoreditch set-designer Eden has dotted the restaurant with Day of the Dead Barbies and hung it with wooden chairs.

This place has a speakeasy vibe, which makes it feel extra special. The mezcal selection is impressive, and the cocktails are creative and delicious. The food is also amazing, definitely try the tacos al pastor.

mood speakeasy vibe

Hailed as ‘one of London’s best nights out’, La Bodega Negra is a mix between underground speakeasy restaurant and tequila bar. And what a perfect combination that has turned out to be. The menu offers the usual suspects; tacos and tostados, but anything off the grill is particularly good. While the food is excellent, it’s mostly the atmosphere we come here for. The tequila and mezcal list is ridiculously long, and a night attempting to get through it is a righteous, riotous night indeed.

mood underground speakeasy restaurant and tequila bar; righteous, riotous night

Split into two areas -- an ultra see-and-be-seen restaurant accessed via a fake sex shop, and a street-level cafe -- this New York City transplant was opened with some assistance from The Box designers, and instantly became a hub of A-lister activity. Thankfully, some of the hullabaloo has calmed down, but the delicious libations are as strong as ever, with the ‘rita selection leading the way with classic, frozen, flavoured (black currant, anyone?), and premium.

mood ultra see-and-be-seen restaurant accessed via a fake sex shop... hub of A-lister activity

Soho’s hidden Mexican bar and restaurant La Bodega Negra has one of London’s best stocked agave bars, offering 20 different mezcals and 50 tequilas, even boasting its own agave Sommelier. Our top recommendations are its Alipus, Corte Vetusto, Leyenda, Ojo de Dios and Siete Misterios. One of La Bodega Negra’s signature mezcal cocktails is the Mezcalita, which blends 12.5 Ojo de Dios, triple sec and fresh lime juice, and served on the rocks and finished with worm salt. Delicious.

mood Soho’s hidden Mexican bar and restaurant; has one of London’s best stocked agave bars

This on-trend Mexican restaurant in Soho is an ideal spot to become acquainted with tequila, thanks to a stunning selection of easy-drinking cocktails and a run of Mexican street food-inspired small plates to accompany them. For fans of the spirit, you can try around 50 different varieties of tequila and mezcal, all available by the glass, as well as by carafe and bottle. Full-blown tequila and mezcal flights are also available for the truly hardcore.

mood on-trend

If it’s sleek and sultry vibes you’re looking for, La Bodega Negra is the top-rated tequila spot for you! From live cabaret and drag brunches to their deliciously drool-worthy food, it’s your one-stop shop for a true taste of Mexico with dazzling entertainment to match. The alluring vibes are evident from the get-go, deliciously disguised as a Soho sex shop, naturally making it one of London’s favourite bars with speakeasy vibes. As for their drinks, the cocktails are out of this world. We recommend trying their forever-tempting Hibiscus Margarita, for a unique twist on the Mexican staple.

mood sleek and sultry vibes; live cabaret and drag brunches; dazzling entertainment; alluring vibes disguised as a Soho sex shop; speakeasy vibes

Continuing the theme of subterranean, hidden, excellent tequila bars, La Bodega Negra is housed underneath a fake sex shop in Soho. And although it’s predominately a restaurant (one of the finest Mexican restaurants in London, in fact), they do have literal barrels of tequila there to help drown the soft shell crab and chipotle tacos with…

mood subterranean, hidden... housed underneath a fake sex shop

A tale of two locations, very much with the same ethos, but done differently, Bodega Negra’s restaurant offers a very up-market twist on traditional Mexican street food... Its upstairs café is the opposite: bright and vibrant, it also possesses one of the most comprehensive agave spirits lists I’ve seen in ages: nearly 50 different tequilas grace the menu... There are also flights of both spirits to try, allowing you to become fully immersed in the culture and flavour of the spirit.

mood Restaurant is an up-market twist on traditional Mexican street food in a sultry environment; café is bright and vibrant.

Continuing the theme of subterranean, hidden, excellent tequila bars, La Bodega Negra is housed underneath a fake sex shop in Soho. And although it’s predominately a restaurant (one of the finest Mexican restaurants in London, in fact), they do have literal barrels of tequila there to help drown the soft shell crab and chipotle tacos with…

mood subterranean, hidden... housed underneath a fake sex shop

La Bodega Negra is a trendy Mexican restaurant in Soho that also has a hidden basement bar. Their classic margarita is made with Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, Cointreau, and lime, and is served either straight up or frozen. They also have a range of unique margaritas, including the Oaxacan Margarita, made with mezcal, lime, and agave, and the Margarita de Jamaica, made with hibiscus-infused tequila, lime, and agave.

mood trendy Mexican restaurant that also has a hidden basement bar

With its cosy alcove booths, low lighting and surrealist furniture, Will Ricker’s speakeasy-style restaurant La Bodega Negra is the perfect place to while away an evening sipping margaritas. There are three to choose from here: the House Margarita, a classic blend made with El Jimador blanco and served on the rocks with salt; a hibiscus-infused version, or a jalapeño blend. Expect top-quality tequila and artfully presented cocktails, best served with small plates of tacos, fajitas and burritos.

mood cosy alcove booths, low lighting and surrealist furniture; speakeasy-style restaurant

Number one on this list is undoubtably La Bodega Negra. Frequented by the likes of Kate Moss, Tom Cruise and Kylie Minogue, this amazing place is hidden within a Soho sex shop. Dark lighting, cool atmosphere and incredible margaritas.

mood Dark lighting, cool atmosphere