33-35 Wellington Street,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E 7BN
0871 971 4312
The ViewLondon Review
Want to pep up your evening drinks with laughter? Covent Garden’s The Corner Store may be just the ticket.The VenueEnjoying a prominent position in the heart of Theatreland, The Corner Store is easily accessible from three tube stations. The venue is split into two parts, with a large gastropub on the ground floor complemented by a basement function room.
Further insulated from the bustle of Central London, the downstairs room benefits from a more intimate ambience, with low-lit tables taking up most of the space aside from some standing room at the bar. Specific tables can be reserved so patrons can arrive in leisurely fashion.
The AtmosphereThe bar attracts a lively and mixed crowd, with the majority being post-work hedonists or tourists. Due to its popularity, space is at a premium and at busy times even those lucky enough to have landed a table need to watch out to ensure that drinks do not get knocked as the bar fills to capacity. However, an abundance of friendly and efficient bar staff means no waiting around for drinks - making for a convivial vibe. The basement room, which is available for private hire, serves as the setting for the live comedy.
The Funny Side employs the services of an excellent compere, who helps the audience shrug off their inhibitions and get into the humour. Mass chants and a joke competition up the participation stakes and wannabe comics will enjoy sitting at the front and bantering with the pros. The bill typically features good opening and second-on comics building up to a big name headliner with breaks between each act ensuring the drinks keep flowing. The strong - and frankly hilarious - line ups at this night are proving extremely popular so it is best to book in advance or risk standing at the back.
The FoodFood is available throughout the day at The Corner Store, with substantial meals joined by nibbles and platters to share. You’ll find the rump steak cooked perfectly to order with the added touch of roasted cherry vine tomatoes and a mixture of herbs adding interesting additional flavours. Best of all is the homemade banoffee pie for dessert, which is delicious from its crumbling pastry base to the flavoursome chocolate flakes adorning the top. The extensive menu holds something for all appetites - great and small.
The DrinkThe Corner Store offers a significantly larger than usual range of tipples. The six draught lagers cost around £3.40, as do the five varieties of bottled beer. Any of the twelve cocktails will set you back £7 whilst the wine list boasts thirteen whites and thirteen reds accompanied by five sorts of Champagne making this an ideal place for a pre-theatre drink.
The Last WordThe Corner Store is an admirable gastropub offering value for money food and drink in the centre of town. With the superb comedy nights in residence, it's the popular and wise choice for a fun night out.