Swift Soho is a celebrated cocktail bar on Old Compton Street, bringing precise drinks and an energetic atmosphere to the centre of London nightlife. It was the original Swift location and has developed a strong following among local regulars, theatre visitors and dedicated cocktail drinkers. The bar feels confident without becoming formal, offering polished service in a setting that remains lively and approachable.
The venue has two distinct levels. Upstairs is bright, busy and mainly reserved for spontaneous visits, making it well suited to an early aperitif or a quick drink after a show. Downstairs offers booths, table reservations and a more intimate mood, with drinks that invite guests to slow down and explore the menu in greater depth.
Cocktails balance invention with recognisable foundations, often reworking classic structures through carefully chosen spirits, house flavours and precise presentation. The downstairs bar also holds an extensive whisky collection with hundreds of bottles from around the world, giving enthusiasts considerable scope to compare regions and styles. Wine, beer and a concise food selection provide alternatives for guests who want to settle in for the evening.
Live jazz sessions add another layer to the experience on selected nights, while the Old Compton Street address places Swift close to Soho’s restaurants, theatres and late evening energy. The combination of a fast moving upstairs bar and a calmer basement room lets guests choose the pace of their visit. Swift also operates in Borough and Shoreditch, but this article concerns the original Soho bar at 12 Old Compton Street.
Address: 12 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4TQ, United Kingdom
Swift Soho Menu
SNACKS
NOCELLARA OLIVES
BALSAMIC SNACK MIX
SMOKEY SNACK MIX
CHILLI RICE CRACKERS
CHEESE & MEAT BOARDS
A SELECTION OF THREE CHEESES FROM MONS
served with cracked black pepper oatcakes, grapes, apple & cider chutney
A SELECTION OF THREE CURED MEATS
served with cracked black pepper oatcakes, cornichons, piccalilli
LOW & NO ALCOHOL
0% SAICHO SINGLE ORIGIN SPARKLING TEA
Darjeeling, 200ml, (0.0%)
REAL DRY SPARKLING TEA
Green, 250ml (0.0%)
FEVER-TREE SOFTS & MIXERS
Tonic Water, Light Tonic Water, Lemonade, Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale, 200ml
KINGSDOWN BOTTLED WATER
Still or Sparkling, 750ml
BEER
KÖNIG PILSENER
Duisburg, Draught 2/3 pint (4.9%)
40FT BREWERY DISCO PILS
London, Can 300ml, Pilsner (4%)
40FT BREWERY DALSTON SUNRISE
London, Can 300ml, Hazy Pale Ale (4%)
THE KERNEL BIERE DE SAISON
London, Bottle 330ml, Seasonal Hop (% varies)
THE KERNEL EXPORT INDIA PORTER
London, Bottle 330ml, Porter (6%)
0% BITBURGER DRIVE
Bitburg, Bottle 330ml, Non-Alcoholic Lager (0.0%)
OLIVER’S POMONA
Herefordshire, Bottle 330ml, Cider (6.2%)
SPARKLING WINE CHAMPAGNE
MOËT & CHANDON BRUT IMPÉRIAL NV
Épernay (12%)
MOËT & CHANDON ROSÉ IMPÉRIAL NV
Épernay (12%)
PERRIER-JOUËT BELLE ÉPOQUE BRUT
Épernay (12.5%)
DOM PÉRIGNON
Hautvillers (12.5%)
KRUG GRAND CUVÉE NV
Reims (12%)
MARIE COURTIN EFFLORESCENCE
Reims (12%)
RUINART BLANC DE BLANCS NV
Reims (12.5%)
PERRIER-JOUËT BELLE ÉPOQUE ROSÉ
Épernay (12%)
BOSCO DEI CIRMIOLI
Prosecco, Veneto (10.5%)
BOSCO DEI CIRMIOLI ROSÉ
Prosecco, Veneto (11.5%)
RED
NEGROAMARO DEL SALENTO
La Casada, Caleo, Salento, Italy (12.5%)
MARCILLAC “LO SANG DEL PAIS”
Mansois, Domaine du Cros, France (13%)
LES GALETS COSTIÈRES DE NÎMES ROUGE
Syrah/Grenache/Marselan, Château Mourgues du Grès, Southern Rhône (14%)
CABERNET SAUVIGNON ORGANIC
Familia Cecchin, Mendoza, Argentina (13.5%)
0% MV TORRES NATUREO
Syrah, Familia Torres, Catalonia, Spain (0.0%)
ROSÉ & ORANGE
3404 ROSADO
Tempranillo & Cabernet, Bodegas Pirineos, Spain (13.5%)
MAREMOSSO BIANCO
Skin-contact Catarratto, Ciello & Baglio, Sicily (12.5%)
0% MV TORRES NATUREO
Muscat, Familia Torres, Catalonia, Spain (0.0%)
WHITE WINE
CHENIN TORRONTES
Villavieja, Mendoza, Argentina (12.5%)
LO PETIT FANTET DE L’HIPPOLYTE BLANC
Southern Rhône organic blend, Château Ollieux Romanis, Pierre Bories, Corbières, France (12%)
TWR SAUVIGNON BLANC
Te Whare Rā, Anna & Jason Flowerday, Marlborough, New Zealand (13.5%)
PM & M GARANCE MUSCADET DE SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE
Organic, Domaine Pierre Luneau-Papin, Pays Nantais, France (12.5%)
0% MV TORRES NATUREO
Muscat, Familia Torres, Catalonia, Spain (0.0%)
CLASSIC COCKTAILS ALWAYS AVAILABLE
IMPERIAL GIMLET
Crisp – Zingy – Effortless Beefeater gin, Italicus, white Pineau des Charentes, pineapple sherbet, makrut lime, lemon
KEW GARDENS
Verdant – Fresh – Fizzy Gin Mare gin, basil, cucumber, lime, prosecco
PETAL
Monday-Thursday £7 before 6pm Fruity – Lush – Sparkling Sweet vermouth, raspberry, framboise, Campari, prosecco
CHAMELEON
Lively – Vegetal – Smokey Del Maguey Vida mezcal, green chilli, cachaça, lime, coriander, green bell pepper
SHANGHAIED
Spicy – Bold – Zesty Green chilli pisco, lime, cucumber, almond
BRIGHT COCKTAILS
ICE MAIDEN
Sparkling – Crisp – Clean Absolut vodka, Lillet Blanc, pear, Moët & Chandon Brut Champagne
HUMMINGBIRD
Long – Elegant – Complex Akashi-Tai umeshu, Ardbeg 10yr scotch, pine soda
DESTINATION TOKYO
Monday-Thursday £7 before 6pm Luscious – Soft – Malty Hatozaki Japanese whisky, Havana 3 rum, coconut, pandan, rice milk, genmaicha tea
ROSETTE
Bittersweet – Floral – Sophisticated Belvedere vodka, Cocchi Americano, rose, grapefruit sherbet, absinthe
0% WORKING HOLIDAY
Zesty – Effervescent – Juicy Atopia spiced citrus, hops, passion fruit, pink grapefruit sherbet, sparkling green tea
DELICATE COCKTAILS
PRALINE FLIP
Monday-Thursday £7 before 6pm Luxurious – Nutty – Indulgent Swift spiced rum, stout, hazelnut, egg
OLD COMPTON
Robust – Fruity – Smooth Hennessy VS cognac, lemon, Swift Jamaican rum blend, strawberry, rhubarb amaro
BURNSIDE
Fluffy – Decadent – Luscious Woodford Reserve bourbon, pistachio, apricot, lemon
IRISH COFFEE
Warming – Silky – Classic Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish whiskey, Send Swift blend coffee, demerara, cream, nutmeg
0% ROCK GARDEN
Lively – Short – Zesty Atopia spiced citrus, Seedlip Spice 94, almond, lemon, egg white
RICH COCKTAILS
AMBER CANE
Funky – Potent – Punchy Swift Jamaican rum blend, Madeira, Benedictine, orange curaçao, chocolate bitters
PICCOLINA
Light – Sophisticated – Smooth Amontillado sherry, white port, fig, Angostura
COBBLESTONE
Complex – Short – Nutty Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey, nocino, oloroso, Angostura
WHITE WATER
Bold – Tropical – Smokey Monkey Shoulder & Ardbeg 10 scotch whiskies, coconut falernum, banana
DESERT ROSE
Monday-Thursday £7 before 6pm Clean – Bittersweet – Floral Olmeca Altos tequila, Cocchi Rosa, Campari, prune
STIFF COCKTAILS
WHITE WATER
Bold – Tropical – Smokey Monkey Shoulder & Ardbeg 10 scotch whiskies, coconut falernum, banana
DESERT ROSE
Monday-Thursday £7 before 6pm Clean – Bittersweet – Floral Olmeca Altos tequila, Cocchi Rosa, Campari, prune
AMBER CANE
Funky – Potent – Punchy Swift Jamaican rum blend, Madeira, Benedictine, orange curaçao, chocolate bitters
PICCOLINA
Light – Sophisticated – Smooth Amontillado sherry, white port, fig, Angostura
COBBLESTONE
Complex – Short – Nutty Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey, nocino, oloroso, Angostura