The best bars in Covent Garden

Established in 1890, Gordon's Wine Bar is the oldest wine bar in London and has long been a favourite amongst locals and tourists visiting the city. It's an excellent spot to sample wines from around the world in a space that's brimming with heritage and culture. The weathered interior adds to the atmosphere, with scrawled-on chalkboards, old bottles and wood panelling. There’s a simple food menu available, with a focus on cheese, meat platters and cold snacks like scotch eggs and pork pies. 

Behind a mysterious jade-coloured door on Gerrard Street, you’ll find a 1920s Shanghai-inspired cocktail and dim sum parlour in Chinatown, home to three bars spread across two floors. The Academy Bar is a lounge-style space with booths and bar-side seats; Apothecary houses a tea parlour with traditional low chairs, and Peony Bar is a small, intimate space perfect for private functions. Each bar has its own menu, but they all share exotic, beautifully-presented cocktails in common.

The 10 Cases in Covent Garden offers a quiet space to enjoy wines from a shortlisted selection of bottles, with only ten cases in the store at any one time. They also serve a limited but changing list of vintage bottles from around the world, and although the bar has extended since opening, not one wine has ever appeared on the list more than once. Enjoy a small menu of French specialities alongside your wine, like mushroom risotto and charcuterie jam doughnuts.

This elegant basement bar specialises in a menu of simple French dishes, delicate cocktails and top-quality wine in a chic, relaxed setting. The bar is home to the UK’s only indoor pétanque court, so enjoy a game before grabbing a table for a bite to eat and drink. They have an impressive selection of wines, including bottles imported from the south of France, available by the glass, carafe and bottle.

The American Bar at The Savoy hotel is a legendary bar that's been around for more than 125 years, making it the longest-surviving cocktail bar in the city. It's been visited by many elites like Marilyn Monroe, Ernest Hemingway, and even Winston Churchill. It's all about the cocktails here, where the bartenders have reinvented classics and new creations, all adding to the bar's reputation for being one of the best places in the world to drink. It's decked out in an Art Deco fashion, with an overall dark theme complemented by black-and-white hanging photos, all heightened by the live jazz pianist that plays every night.

Perched on the 10th floor of the Assembly Hotel in the West End, Garden Rooftop is a sunlit haven with stunning views of London landmarks like the London Eye and The Shard. This botanical-inspired rooftop bar offers fresh Italian cuisine, along with a variety of events like weekend brunches with live DJs and midweek specials like Wine Wednesdays. With its vibrant greenery, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sunny atmosphere, it's the perfect spot to relax and soak up the rays when the clouds part.

CellarDoor is a basement bar in Covent Garden located in a former toilet beneath Aldwych Street. It throws nightly events like drag shows, burlesque performances and other entertainment, while also serving a menu of classic cocktails, wines, spirits and beer.

This roomy Irish pub in Covent Garden is home to one of London's largest bars serving a variety of draft and craft beer. They also serve a long list of American, Irish and Scottish whiskeys, plus a range of cocktails. The food is classic pub grub, like spicy chicken wings and fries and beer-battered fish and chips.

You're in for a treat if you can find the entrance to this quirky little cocktail bar. This luxurious spot is located behind the tea counter in the snazzy St Martin’s Lane hotel; look for the door handle shaped like a golden hand. Once inside, you’ll find a glamorous speakeasy serving signature cocktails inspired by exotic places. There’s also a selection of internationally-inspired nibbles to snack on.

This cosy little bar is an intimate space to enjoy cocktails amongst a little slice of history. The bar is based in the headquarters of the secret society that ran Victorian London, and much of it today is a nod to its heyday in the late 1890s. Sip on expertly mixed cocktails, ranging from classic to speciality concoctions, or keep it classic with a beer. They also offer bottomless brunches on the weekend and happy hour deals throughout the week.

Named after Jules Verne's popular novel “Around the World in 80 Days”, Mr Fogg's Tavern is just as eccentric as the protagonist Phileas Fogg. The interior is draped in hanging plants, knick-knacks from Phileas' travels and souvenirs from around the world. The cocktails are also inspired by his adventures, and there's a menu of classic pub grub to enjoy alongside your drinks.

Although it's primarily about the coffee at Grind (which is, by the way, excellent), they also serve a range of zingy cocktails, some of which even include their own coffee – their in-house espresso martini has a bit of a cult following. They also do an all-day brunch menu with dishes like smashed avocado on toast and burrata bruschetta.

Lady of the Grapes champions female wine producers, stocking more than 25 wines served by the glass or carafe and 200 by the bottle. The space is intimate and welcoming, with a featured wine shop wall, stocking everything from organic and biodynamic to natural. They also serve a small menu of seasonal sharing nibbles.

Dress to impress at the Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel, a glamorous bar in Covent Garden that oozes luxury. The bar is built on what was once the hotel’s cabaret stage, featuring a sleek interior with jet-black colouring accented by simple gold decor. The menu features signature cocktails, non-alcoholic options, and a selection of champagnes, including glasses and magnums, with the option to add caviar to relish in even more luxury.

The Covent Garden branch of Champagne + Fromage brings the rustic French lifestyle to the streets of central London. They specialise in, you guessed it, cheese and champagne, with fizz sourced from small producers and weekly by-the-glass selections. The food comprises Gallic cheeses, charcuterie and other seasonal specials, like frogs’ legs and tartines. The bar is based on a vintage-style French setting and makes for a wholesome date spot.

Radio Rooftop has a pretty epic claim to fame: it was where the first ever BBC programme was transmitted in 1922. It's located on the 10th floor of ME London, meaning it boasts incredible views of the neighbouring River Thames. They shake up signature cocktails day and night, all tailormade by their expert mixologists. As for food, they serve an an Asian-inspired menu focusing on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients.

Head down an unassuming stairwell away from Shaftesbury Avenue's hustle and bustle, and you’ll find Freud. This kitsch bar is rickety, slightly worn-out and cramped, but it’s all part of the appeal. The drinks are scrawled on a blackboard behind the bar, with the main focus being cocktails with playful names, like the ‘If You Wanted a Cocktail Made About You, All You Had To Do Was Ask’.

Blame Gloria is a vivacious bottomless brunch bar in Covent Garden, hosting a memorable drag brunch experience as well as regular bar offerings such as cocktails, happy hours, and DJ nights. The quirky venue boasts bold interiors, featuring extravagant decor, eccentric flooring, shimmering walls, and eye-catching neon lights.

With over 400 bottles on offer, La Compagnie in colourful Neal's Yard is a haven for wine enthusiasts. Guests can explore an impressive selection, with a strong emphasis on French wines and champagne, all served in a stylish and contemporary atmosphere. For those keen to try a variety of vintages, wines are also available by the glass. To complement your drinks, you can order tempting snacks like cheese and charcuterie.

Crusting Pipe offers a cosy retreat for a glass of exquisite wine and a taste of classic British fare, like bangers and mash, right in the heart of Covent Garden. You can soak up the lively atmosphere from the Covent Garden Market courtyard, watching the bustling crowds, or opt for a more private dining experience within its charming arched interior.