Finding a bar for a group of 10 or more requires solving a different problem than finding a bar for 2 or 4. The question is not which bar has the best cocktails. The question is which bar has the physical infrastructure to keep 10 people in the same room, talking to each other, with drinks in hand, for 3 hours. We have the answer for New York and London.
Group Bars in New York
New York's best bars for a group of 10 combine physical size with management experience. These venues have handled groups before, which means the service model adapts to larger tables, the bottle service and round options are clearly structured, and the staff know how to keep 10 people drinking without anyone waiting 20 minutes at the bar.
01
The Breslin Bar
NoMad$$$Large Format / Warm
April Bloomfield's bar at the Ace Hotel has the architecture a group of 10 actually needs: enough square footage, booth seating that holds 6 to 8 per section, and a drinks program that ranges from simple beers through to serious cocktails. The food is excellent and helps the evening last longer without anyone hitting a wall. Reserve the main dining area for group bookings of 8 to 12.
Order: The Scotch Egg and a round of their house highballs to start
02
Slowly Shirley
West Village$$$Below Ground / Cocktails
A basement cocktail bar in the West Village that handles groups of 10 to 14 better than most similarly sized New York rooms. The seating is organised around large central booths. The drinks are genuinely excellent without demanding specialist knowledge to appreciate. The volume level sits at conversation-enabling throughout the week, dropping slightly on weekends but never becoming untenable.
Order: The Dead End on the current menu, or the Boulevardier riff
03
The Standard Biergarten
Meatpacking$$Outdoor / Beer Garden
One of the few New York bars with the outdoor space and the beer garden format to handle 10 to 20 people without requiring a reservation. Long tables, standing space, and a drinks list that covers beer, wine, and basic cocktails without trying too hard in any direction. Best in warmer months, but covered and heated through October. The High Line directly above adds a New York-specific sense of occasion.
Order: Half-litre draft beers and the pretzel for the table
New York bar guide
Our complete guide to New York bars, organised by neighbourhood and occasion.
A natural wine bar in the East Village that works well for mixed groups where some people are done with cocktails and want to drink something simpler. The owner-curated wine list is excellent and the staff are genuinely enthusiastic about helping people navigate it. The back section holds 10 to 12. The pricing is East Village honest, which helps when 10 people are splitting a tab.
Order: Ask for the current natural red by the litre
05
Genuine Superette
Hudson Square$$Industrial / Beer
A large-format craft beer bar with the physical footprint that group bar reservations depend on. The tap list rotates regularly and covers the full craft beer spectrum from sessionable pale ales to experimental sours. The kitchen stays open late, which solves the group hunger problem. Standing capacity runs well over 50 which means a group of 10 never feels like it's crowding anyone out.
Order: Ask for the current tasting tray before committing to a full pour
Group Bars in London
London's group bar options have expanded with the city's broader hospitality growth. The London bar guide covers all categories, but for groups of 10 specifically, these 5 bars offer the right combination of space, drinks range, and group management capability.
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06
Bounce Farringdon
Farringdon$$Ping Pong / Activity
A ping pong bar and cocktail venue that solves the group coherence problem by giving everyone something to do. The table booking structure means groups of 10 to 20 are organised around activity rather than just standing around. Cocktails are well-executed and the food menu is designed for sharing. The Farringdon site is the best of the three London locations for group bookings.
Order: The Smash for the group, then take your places at the table
07
Pergola Paddington
Paddington$$Rooftop / Seasonal
A rooftop bar above Paddington Central with genuine capacity for large groups. The outdoor terrace handles 8 to 15 at table, more if standing. The drinks list is built around accessibility: cocktails, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic options all executed competently. Open April through September. Group reservations available. The canal views make it feel more London-specific than most group bars in the West End.
Order: Cocktail jugs for the table to start, then individual rounds
08
Hawksmoor Seven Dials Bar
Covent Garden$$$Classic Cocktails / Bar Seating
The Hawksmoor Seven Dials bar operates independently from the restaurant and handles groups of 8 to 12 with a dedicated back area. The cocktail program is one of the best in London, focused on classic formats executed without compromise. The bar team is among London's most experienced at managing group orders without anyone waiting. Book at least a week ahead for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Order: The Hawksmoor Sling, designed for sharing and memorable enough to keep
London bar guide
Our complete London bar guide, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. 140+ bars across all categories.
A covered street food and bar market under the Victorian arches of Borough that handles groups informally but effectively. The format lets 10 people self-organise: some at the main bar, some at the food stalls, all within proximity. Weekend evenings feature live music. The combination of beer, wine, and street food options means no one is making compromises on what they want from the night.
Order: Draft lager from the main bar, then explore what's cooking
10
Nightjar Carnaby
Carnaby$$$Cocktails / Groups
The newer Carnaby outpost of Nightjar is specifically designed for larger groups than the original Shoreditch location. Reservations are strongly encouraged and the booth configuration accommodates groups of 8 to 16. The cocktail menu covers the same era-based organisation as the original. Live music Thursday through Saturday. For a group of 10 that wants something genuinely special without the intimacy constraint of the original site.
Order: A table round from the Pre-Prohibition section to orient everyone
The Rule for Group Bars
For a group of 10, always call ahead. Every bar on this list accepts group reservations; most require them for groups of 8 or more on Friday and Saturday nights. Confirm the reserved area specifically. A reservation means nothing if the bar seats you across two floors.
For groups over 15, see the cocktail bars guide for venues with dedicated private hire capacity. At 15-plus people, private hire is usually more cost-effective and less logistically difficult than managing a large group in a public bar setting.
Best cocktail bars worldwide
Cocktail bars across 60 cities, with group reservation and private hire information where available.
