Short answer: Bunker Bar London is MA1: The Bunker at 217–221 City Road, EC1V 1JN, near Old Street station. It is an underground, men-only gay cruise and fetish club that runs on event nights. It is not a normal cocktail bar. If you want a bunker-style cocktail night out, jump to our list of underground bars in London.
Most people who search for “Bunker Bar London” want one of two things: details about the venue on City Road, or a bar that feels like a wartime bunker. This guide covers both. First, the facts about the venue: where it is, how entry works, the dress code and the opening times. Then, real alternatives for a more relaxed night out. Details were last checked on 29 October 2026.
- Venue: MA1: The Bunker (also called The Bunker Bar)
- Address: 217–221 City Road, London EC1V 1JN
- Nearest Tube: Old Street
- Who it is for: Adults, men-only for many events
- Entry: Event tickets or door entry, prices change by night
- Dress code: Different for each event
What Is Bunker Bar London?
The Bunker Bar is a basement venue on City Road. Listings describe it as an underground gay cruise club with a small bar, a maze, cabins and play areas. It hosts regular fetish, cruise and social nights, and many of them are men-only. Bear nights, fetish nights and sportswear nights are all part of its calendar.
The building has a mixed past. The same site was home to an earlier club called East Bloc, which closed in 2018. Some listings also say the basement has thick walls and low ceilings that give it a bunker feel, but this is the venue’s own style, not an official wartime shelter.
Good to know: Some websites describe a “Bunker Bar” in a Second World War shelter near Charing Cross, with drinks such as “The Air Raid”. We could not find that venue on official sites or maps, so please do not plan a night around it. If you like wartime history, the Imperial War Museums guide to London in the Second World War and our guide to historical places in London are better starting points.
Bunker Bar London Location and How to Get There
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue name | The Bunker Bar / MA1: The Bunker |
| Address | 217–221 City Road, London EC1V 1JN |
| Nearest Tube | Old Street |
| Website | bunkerbar.co.uk |
| Area | Often listed as Shoreditch or the Old Street area |
| Step-free access | Not confirmed. Steep stairs have been reported |
Old Street is the station most listings point to. Use the Transport for London journey planner to check your route, and our London map if you want to see where City Road sits compared with Soho or the City. Nightlife sites call the area Shoreditch, but the exact council area is a separate matter, so always use the postcode when travelling.
Bunker Bar London Opening Times
Opening times depend on the event calendar. One third-party listing shows the pattern below, but we could not confirm it on the official site. Treat it as a guide only and check the event page before you travel. The chart compares it with the confirmed hours of Cahoots Underground in Soho.
The pattern is clear. The Bunker’s listed hours are short on weekdays and stretch to 4am from Friday to Sunday. Plan your journey home before you go in, especially if you leave after the Night Tube starts or stops running.
Entry Prices and Booking
There is no single entry price. Each event sets its own, and door prices can differ from online tickets. The examples below come from event listings. They are event prices, not a drinks menu, and we found no confirmed London drinks prices for the venue.
How to book
Start on the official Bunker Bar website and open the page for the night you want. Some events use online tickets, some use door entry, and some ask for membership. Read the event terms first, as at least one event states that outside alcohol and drugs are banned and that tickets are non-refundable.
Dress Code and Entry Rules
- Dress code: The homepage shows an open code in general, but individual events can ask for naked, underwear, jocks, shorts or sports kit. One event, URGE, asks for underwear or naked only.
- Who can enter: The venue is described as men-only for many events. Check eligibility for your night.
- Age: 18+ is stated for URGE. Take photo ID.
- Phones: Some reports say phone use is restricted inside. Check the event rules.
Is it right for you?
| A good fit if you want | Choose another bar if you want |
|---|---|
| Adult LGBTQ+ nightlife and fetish or cruise events | A normal cocktail menu and a romantic date night |
| Late-night events that run until 4am at weekends | A mixed group, birthday party or work event |
| To follow an event’s clothing and phone rules | Step-free access (not confirmed here) |
Best Underground and Bunker-Style Bars in London
If you wanted cocktails, candlelight and a hidden-door feel, these open bars are a better match. We picked venues with an underground, basement or wartime theme. Please check hours, prices and booking rules on each official site, as they change often.
1. Cahoots Underground, Soho (closest to a bunker theme)
Cahoots Underground, at 13 Kingly Court, is built like a disused 1940s Tube station, with Northbound and Southbound platforms. It is the nearest thing to a “bunker bar” cocktail night in central London. It is strictly 21+, and table reservations last up to two hours. Live music runs Friday and Saturday evenings, with a DJ later on. Groups of 13 or more should contact the bar directly. Its sister bar, Cahoots Postal Office near Borough Market, is also open and has the same 21+ rule. Details are on the official Cahoots website.
2. Nightjar, City Road (live jazz speakeasy)
Nightjar is a Prohibition-style basement bar at 129–131 City Road, close to the Bunker, with live jazz and swing. Book ahead and expect a music cover charge late in the evening. Check the age policy on the Nightjar website.
3. Gordon’s Wine Bar, Villiers Street (historic cellar)
Founded in 1890, Gordon’s is billed as London’s oldest wine bar. It is a candlelit, vaulted cellar near Embankment and Charing Cross, with wine, port and cheese boards. Bookings are very limited, so expect to queue at busy times. See gordonswinebar.com for current hours.
4. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Spitalfields (secret fridge door)
Tell the staff at The Breakfast Club on Artillery Lane that you want to “see the Mayor”, and you go through a fridge door into a small basement speakeasy. It holds about 40 people, so book if you can.
5. Discount Suit Company, Spitalfields (small basement bar)
This dark basement bar at 29 Wentworth Street sits in a former tailor’s stockroom. It is tiny, so walk-ins are hard and groups of more than four struggle to get in.
6. Evans & Peel Detective Agency, Earl’s Court (themed hidden bar)
A detective-agency-themed bar with a secret entrance. It suits special occasions. Confirm that it is still trading and check the booking rules before you go.
| Bar | Area | Nearest station | Style | Age policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cahoots Underground | Soho | Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus | 1940s Tube station | 21+ |
| Nightjar | City Road | Old Street | Prohibition speakeasy | Check venue |
| Gordon’s Wine Bar | Villiers Street | Embankment, Charing Cross | Historic cellar | Check venue |
| Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town | Spitalfields | Liverpool Street | Hidden fridge door | Check venue |
| Discount Suit Company | Spitalfields | Aldgate East, Liverpool Street | Tailor’s basement | Check venue |
| Evans & Peel Detective Agency | Earl’s Court | Earl’s Court | Detective theme | Check venue |
Making a full night of it? Our things to do in London guide and the list of places to visit in London have ideas for the daytime. If the last train is a worry, cubicle hotels in London are a cheap way to stay close by.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Hotel Business in London
How Much Does a Night Out Cost?
For the cocktail bars above, these are typical central London ranges from our research. They are guides, not menu prices, and they do not apply to the Bunker Bar. Prices were checked in October 2026.
Add extras to your budget: live-music cover charges (for example at Nightjar), service charge, and your journey home.
Accessibility, Allergies and Getting Home
- Stairs: Most basement bars have steps. Steep stairs are reported at the Bunker, and step-free access is not confirmed for any bar here. Call the venue before you go.
- Allergies: Venues must be able to tell you about the 14 major allergens. Ask staff, and read the Food Standards Agency allergen guidance.
- Getting home: The Night Tube runs on selected lines on Fridays and Saturdays, and night buses run across the city. Check your last journey before you go in. Use black cabs or licensed apps such as Uber or Bolt.
- Safety: Many bars use the “Ask for Angela” scheme. Ask staff if you feel unsafe.
- Busy dates: Halloween (31 October 2026), Christmas party season and New Year’s Eve fill up fast. Book early. For a first-time trip, the London guide covers the basics.
Is This the Same as the Bunker Bar in Glasgow?
No. There is a separate Bunker Bar on Bath Street in Glasgow, with party packages and cocktail offers. Do not use its prices or booking rules for London. Other places with “Bunker” in the name, such as a sports bar at a golf venue in Harrow, are also unrelated.
A real bunker-themed bar may be coming. The London Tunnels, a planned Second World War attraction near High Holborn, is said to include a licensed bar, with opening stated as early 2028. It is not open now.
FAQs About Bunker Bar London
Where is Bunker Bar London?
It is at 217–221 City Road, London EC1V 1JN. The nearest Tube station is Old Street.
Is Bunker Bar London a normal cocktail bar?
No. It is an adult, event-led gay cruise and fetish club. For cocktails, try Cahoots Underground or Nightjar.
Is Bunker Bar London men-only?
Many events are men-only. Check the rules for your event before you travel.
How much is entry to Bunker Bar London?
It depends on the event. Listings show examples from about £7 to £13. Door prices can differ from online tickets.
What is the dress code at Bunker Bar London?
It changes by event. Some nights ask for underwear, jocks, sports kit or less. Read the event page first.
What time does Bunker Bar London close?
One third-party listing shows 4am from Friday to Sunday. This is not confirmed officially, so check the event schedule.
Is there a real WWII bunker cocktail bar in London?
Not that we could confirm. Cahoots Underground has a 1940s air-raid and Tube-station theme, but it is a themed bar, not a genuine wartime bunker.
Final Thoughts
Bunker Bar London means MA1: The Bunker on City Road, a men-only adult venue where entry, dress code and hours change with each event. Check the official event page before you go. If you wanted an underground cocktail night instead, start with Cahoots Underground for a wartime theme, Nightjar for live jazz, or Gordon’s for a historic cellar. For more city guides, visit The London Report.
