Mai tais at Satan’s Whiskers.

Steven Joyce

Mathew Rhys is Welsh by birth. But the Emmy-Award winning actor and star of the upcoming Babak Anvari-directed thriller, Hallow Road spent a good portion of his life in and around London’s West End.

He moved to the capital city at the tender age of 17 to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and fell in love with the local pub scene not long thereafter.

More than three decades later, the actor — who’s married to Keri Russell, star of London-based Netflix series The Diplomat — has had plenty of time to consider his most cherished haunts.

Below Rhys, who’s also one of the voice cast members of the new film IF, highlights a few for The Hollywood Reporter.

Milroy’s of Soho

“More than just a bar — it’s an experience, a cozy, dimly lit cocoon where time slows down just long enough for you to appreciate the finer things in life, like a good whisky and great company. The decor? It’s all dark wood and leather, giving off the vibe of an Edwardian gentleman’s club where the only membership requirement is an appreciation for good drinks and better company,” says Rhys.

“It’s the kind of place,” continues the actor, “where you could run into a poet on one stool and a financier on another, both dissecting the complexities of a rare Scotch rather than the economy. On my last visit, I spent some much-needed time on my own savoring some sublime vintage Port Ellen and all was right with the world.” Milroy’s of Soho, 3 Greek St., Soho

Satan’s Whiskers

“First of all, with a name like that, how can you not be curious? Tucked away in Bethnal Green, this spot is more about charm than alarm, despite the devilish name. Walking in, you’re hit with that cozy, intimate vibe, like your cool friend’s living room — if your friend had exceptional taste in antique taxidermy and vintage cocktail posters. The lighting is just dim enough to feel mysterious without making you wonder if you’ve accidentally walked into a séance,” says Rhys. Satan’s Whiskers, 343 Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green

The Coach & Horses

“I’ve spent Innumerable hours in this Pantheon of pints soaking in the atmosphere. It’s bustling, boisterous, and brimming with the kind of spontaneous energy that you’d expect from a place where the spirits of O’Toole and Harris might still be debating over a game of darts or critiquing the latest performance at the nearby theatre, albeit with lashings of rapier wit,” describes Rhys. The Coach & Horses, 29 Greek St., Soho

Three Sheets

“The vibe is effortlessly chic — minimalist decor, clean lines, and a bar so shiny you’d hesitate to put a drink down for fear of leaving a ring,” says the actor. “The atmosphere is cool and calm, a stark contrast to the typical London hustle. It’s like stepping into a Zen garden, but instead of raked sand, there are meticulously crafted cocktails.” Three Sheets, 510b Kingston Road, Dalston

A version of this story first appeared in the May 8 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.