A room temperature hybrid electrolyte based lithium–sulfur cell was successfully cycled with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 100%. The initial discharge specific capacities of up to 1528 mA h g⁻¹, 1386 mA h g⁻¹ and 1341 mA h g⁻¹, respectively, at C/20, C/5 and C/2 rates were realized and remained at 720 mA h g⁻¹ after 40 cycles at the C/5 rate.