Waltz Bar joins the Bartender’s Edit stand this August, bringing one of London’s most admired neighbourhood cocktail bars into the spotlight. Since opening, Waltz has risen fast, placing No. 23 in Europe’s 50 Best Bars and winning Best New Opening 2026. It is a remarkable achievement for a small, independent venue built on craft, atmosphere and a deep respect for Japanese bartending tradition.
Industry magazine CLASS described Waltz as possibly London’s most authentic Japanese cocktail bar, praising its calm precision, understated elegance and the way the team moves with quiet confidence behind the bar. The review highlights how Waltz avoids imitation and instead channels the spirit of Japanese bartending through discipline, hospitality and attention to detail. As CLASS put it, Waltz is “a bar that feels genuinely shaped by Japanese technique rather than themed around it.”
At the centre of it all is Gento, whose bartending heritage informs every part of the experience. After years working in respected London venues, he created Waltz as a space built on his own philosophy: meticulous drinks, warm service and a room where guests feel instantly at home. His cocktails blend classic foundations with modern touches, always crafted with care and an eye for balance.
Inside, Waltz has a low-lit, intimate atmosphere shaped by soft tones, thoughtful music and a sense of calm that makes the bar feel like a genuine refuge. It is stylish without being showy, refined without being formal, and always welcoming. Their appearance at Bartender’s Edit highlights exactly why Waltz has become one of Europe’s most celebrated new bars, bringing Gento’s craft and the venue’s signature atmosphere to Cocktails in the City.
