Plume Wine Bar

Plume is a low-key wine bar tucked just off the bustle of Covent Garden, set across two floors, combining an upstairs wine bar with a more intimate, speakeasy-style basement. The building once housed Charles Dickens' publishing office in the 1860s, a literary past that adds a bit of quiet gravitas to an otherwise contemporary spot for wine and small plates.

Upstairs is bright and elegant, with pavement seating that's ideal for watching the theatre crowds drift past. Downstairs, the mood is sultrier, with dimmer lighting, small tables, and a striking mural inspired by peacock feathers. It's intimate rather than flashy, with a crowd that tends to be a mix of after-work drinkers, dates, and wine lovers, giving the place a steady hum of energy and chatter without ever feeling overly raucous.

The wine list is the main draw, presented like an atlas and spanning producers from all around the world, with a mix of classic regions and more left-field bottles which the bar's sommeliers are more than happy to guide you through. Creative cocktails are available for those less keen on wine, alongside a solid range of low-and no-alcohol options, while the food sticks to small plates and sharing boards of charcuterie, cheese and snacks.

As mentioned, the building once housed Charles Dickens' publishing office in the 1860s, and is where "All the Year Round' was produced. These days, the most novel feature is a weekly Tuesday secret notes night, where guests can pass handwritten messages to other tables via the staff. It's optional, but it adds to the sense that Plume is doing something a little bit different in a very busy part of town.

Daniel Sheppard