One of London's original modern speakeasies, hidden in a Marylebone basement and built on theatrical, culinary cocktails.
Published Mar 10, 2026 By Sofia Reeves Last reviewed May 26, 2026 Address 50-54 Blandford Street, Marylebone, London W1U 7HX Nearest Transit Bond Street and Baker Street, both about an 8 minute walk Hours Mon 5:00pm - 11:30pm Tue 5:00pm - 11:30pm Wed 5:00pm - 11:30pm Thu 5:00pm - 11:30pm Fri 5:00pm - 12:00am Sat 5:00pm - 12:00am Sun Closed Good For Date nights, Cocktail obsessives, Group celebrations Speakeasy Culinary cocktails Candlelit Booking advised Marylebone Visit Purl Suggest an edit Ask the editors Reservations are handled by the bar directly. Tell them barsforKings sent you.
Purl sits in a basement below Blandford Street in Marylebone, reached by a plain door and a flight of stairs that hide one of the city's first modern speakeasies. It opened in 2010 and helped set the template for the prohibition style cocktail rooms that followed across London.
The draw is theater. Drinks arrive with smoke, foams, scents, and props built using culinary techniques, and Time Out files it under the experimental end of the cocktail map. The room is small and candlelit, so this is a place to sit and watch a drink get made, not a spot for a quick round. If you like that idea, it earns a place on our London speakeasy guide and the wider best cocktail bars in London list.
The space is a series of low brick vaults under the street, dressed with antique furniture, soft candlelight, and tucked away booths. The London Economic described the bar as an innovative Marylebone speakeasy, and the layout rewards a booking for one of the alcoves over a perch at the bar.
Capacity is tight. Walk ins are seated only if there is room, so most regulars reserve ahead, especially Thursday through Saturday. For more rooms in the same vein, see the London cocktail bar guide and our cocktail bars near me hub.