Happiness Forgets, London

Here’s a little London spot you might want to save for later.

Tucked away under a discreet staircase near Hoxton Square, Happiness Forgets is one of those cocktail bars that feels like a small discovery every time you visit. You’d almost miss it if you weren’t looking for it, just a modest entrance leading downstairs into one of Shoreditch’s most quietly beloved drinking spots.

Inside, the atmosphere shifts immediately. The space is dark, candlelit, and intriguingly low-key, the kind of place where time becomes slightly irrelevant after the first drink. In a neighborhood known for its constant buzz, it’s refreshing to find a bar that keeps things intimate, relaxed, and entirely free of pretentiousness.

The cocktail menu is where things get interesting. Expect carefully balanced drinks with layered flavors and a few unexpected combinations that show real craft without feeling overly complicated. This is serious cocktail making, but delivered with a reassuring sense of ease.

Booking ahead is always a good idea, London evenings tend to fill up quickly, but if you’re lucky, you might still be able to walk in and grab a seat.

Another reason this place works so well? The staff. Friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely happy to guide you through the menu. If you’re unsure what to order, just tell them what flavors you like and let them suggest something. Trust the recommendations: they know what they’re doing.

Ceté’s favorite: the Pepino Caliente, a cocktail that manages to be both refreshing and quietly complex at the same time.

Happiness Forgets is exactly the kind of speakeasy we like: candlelit, relaxed, and focused on excellent drinks rather than unnecessary theatrics.

Save this one for your next night out in East London.