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Interior - The 40 Elephants, London,

The 40 Elephants

4.5 (128)
£25 and under
Cocktail Bar
3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN

Make a booking

A photo of The 40 Elephants restaurant

The 40 Elephants

4.5
£25 and under
Cocktail Bar
Westminster

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

  • Fancy
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for groups
In our bar every cocktail tells a story so, we would like you to enjoy the drinks based on the stories of one of the biggest criminal gangs in English history.
The 40 Elephants was an all-female organized crime collective active in London's Elephant and Castle District from at least 1873 right into the 1950. They specialized in shoplifting, with some blackmail and extortion thrown in to make them particularly badass.
This gang was notable for its longevity and skill in avoiding police detection. Their most notorious leader, Diamond Annie, was known by the London police as "the cleverest of thieves".
Forty Elephants funded a life of decadence in London roaring twenties, hanging about the glamorous hotels, bars and theaters they could only dream about before their turn to crime.
Glamour was both a goal and a smoke screen for the Forty Elephants, through which they created their own thrilling world of fashion. money, and fame.

Additional information

  • Location
    3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
  • Area
    Westminster
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Public transport
    Embankment and Charing Cross Stations
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

All Experiences

  • Thanksgiving Experience at The 40 Elephants Bar

    GBP 60.00 per person

    1 - 10 people

    26 Nov 2026 - 30 Nov 2026
    Celebrate Thanksgiving at The 40 Elephants Bar, where seasonal cocktails and festive flavours come together in a stylish and vibrant setting. Guests are invited to enjoy a specially curated Thanksgiving experience featuring a selection of handcrafted cocktails and sharing plates inspired by the season. Set within the elegant surroundings of The 40 Elephants Bar, this limited-time menu showcases the finest seasonal ingredients and creative mixology, offering the perfect setting to gather, raise a glass, and celebrate with friends and family

Concierge
AI Beta

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Menu

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The 40 Elephants.

4.5

4.5
(128)
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

128 Reviews

  1. Freddy

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 30 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very kind, helpful and a lovely atmosphere. Staff were amazing
    The 40 ElephantsResponded 2 days ago
    Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted that you enjoyed the atmosphere and felt so well looked after during your visit. Your kind words about the team mean a great deal, and we'll be sure to share them. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, Francesca Cortinovis F&B Outlets Manager

    Is this helpful?

  2. Carlos Augusto

    London3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 19 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good Place. All staff very kind . The drinks are very good
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 23 October 2026
    Dear Carlos, Thank you for your kind review. We're delighted you enjoyed your visit and that our team helped make it a memorable one. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again soon for another enjoyable experience. Kind regards, Francesca Cortinovis F&B Outlets Manager

    Is this helpful?

  3. Esther Gold

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 20 September 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The bartenders were lovely! They were talkative and fun and made the experience great.
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 23 September 2026
    Thank you for your wonderful feedback. Creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere is what we strive for, so it's fantastic to hear that our team made your experience such a memorable one. We look forward to seeing you again soon. Warm regards, Francesca Cortinovis F&B Outlets Manager

    Is this helpful?

  4. Mark

    London1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 7 August 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent night. Marco was an extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the cocktails provided. I would definitely recommend and will be going back when I’m next in London.
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 10 August 2026
    Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear you had an excellent evening and enjoyed our cocktail offering. Your kind words and recommendation are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you back the next time you're in London. Warm regards, Francesca Cortinovis Food & Beverage Outlets Manager

    Is this helpful?

  5. Samantha

    Essex11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 8 May 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the feel of the bar, especially being seated at the high stools. Decor quirky and great service.
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 10 May 2026
    Hi Samantha, Thank you so much for your lovely feedback — we’re so pleased you enjoyed your time with us. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with the team. Hope to welcome you back again soon! 🍸 Warm regards, Francesca Cortinovis Food and Beverage Outlets Manager

    Is this helpful?

  6. Thom

    Kent1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 14 February 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely high end cocktail bar with sharp decor and a great selection of drinks. I was particularly impressed with the service, the staff were attentive and friendly which made the whole experience very enjoyable.
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 22 March 2026
    Dear Thom, Thank you so much for your lovely review. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed our high‑end cocktail bar, the décor, and our selection of drinks. It’s wonderful to know the attentive and friendly service helped make your experience so enjoyable. Kind regards, The 40 Elephants Team

    Is this helpful?

  7. Andrew

    London10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 3 December 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Great venue for cocktails and a fun place to meet friends
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 22 March 2026
    Dear Andrew, Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the cocktails and found us a fun spot to meet with friends. We aim to create a relaxed, social atmosphere, and we’re pleased that came across. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, The 40 Elephants Team

    Is this helpful?

  8. David

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 26 November 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great history, customer service, and fun menu!! Would recommend.

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  9. Kat

    Philadelphia County11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 14 October 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I went for the London Cocktail Week and had an absolutely lovely experience sitting at the bar. The staff members were all very knowledgeable when it came to drinks and were happy to chat with me! The special cocktail made for the event was delicious as well.
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 20 October 2025
    Thanks so much for your kind words, Kat! We're thrilled you enjoyed London Cocktail Week with us and had a wonderful time at the bar. We'll pass your compliments to the team! Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team

    Is this helpful?

  10. Pam

    London10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 12 September 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Lovely hostess looked after us, great selection of drinks and food. Great ambience though struggled to read options on menu! Thanks for looking after us so well
    The 40 ElephantsResponded on 15 September 2025
    Thanks for your kind words, Pam! We're delighted you enjoyed the service, food, and ambience. We'll certainly look into improving menu readability. Hope to welcome you back soon! Best regards, The 40 Elephants Team

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Location
    3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HN
  • Area
    Westminster
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Public transport
    Embankment and Charing Cross Stations
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Smart casual is the guide at The 40 Elephants, polished but relaxed, a nice fit for guests stopping in for pre-dinner drinks or a date night.

Yes, The 40 Elephants is a lovely pick for date night, with creative cocktails, attentive service and a cosy, romantic ambience noted by several guests.

The 40 Elephants is a cosy, stylish cocktail bar with a strong historical theme, story-driven cocktails and displays about the Forty Elephants gang, served in the Grade II‑listed Great Scotland Yard setting by warm, attentive staff.

The 40 Elephants welcomes private parties, and the bar connects directly to meeting rooms on the -1 floor for group gatherings.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. London
  4. West End London
  5. Westminster

Make a booking

A photo of The 40 Elephants restaurant

The 40 Elephants

4.5
£25 and under
Cocktail Bar
Westminster

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 5 times today
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