Its music policy and location may be frowned upon by some, but The Livery certainly has a place in your evening of revelry.

The Venue
Surrounded by the architectural symmetry of Central London’s financial sector, The Livery slots into a quiet side road just three minutes from St Pauls Underground station. Inside comes the quick realisation that this is a bar where, sometimes understandably, the clientele prefers not to leave dirtier than when they came in, which is, in many ways, the antithesis of its neighbouring Shoreditch. To the left and right of the large open-plan room, individual booths line up below long mirrors for sneaky looks to check the hair and makeup. Adjacent to the modest dancefloor is a reserved area that is secluded yet still near enough to feel a part of the atmosphere. The balcony upstairs overlooks the whole bar and allows a quiet break from the rest.

The Atmosphere
Expect the same bustle found outside the local tube stations at the end of the working day, as workers file out from offices and filter into the bar. The City centrality of The Livery and fun-packed temperament makes it a perfect fast-track route to unwind. A couple hours later, however, punters begin leaving - an occupational hazard in many post-work establishments such as this. That is not to say it has misconceptions as to what it wants to achieve; catering for a business crowd for as long as they decide to stay.

The Music
Many are now unable to name a single track in the national charts after a long-running television music chart show ended late last year. And while most establishments shun pop with accessible dance music, the bar does keep the pop spirit alive with party tunes, light RnB and popular contemporary rock hits. The unashamedly party-based playlist does not, however, come with a ready packed DJ.

The Drink
Draught beers can sometimes seem a privilege rather than a right in a few Central London bars, but thankfully The Livery does have a selection of ales to whet the appetite of most. It could almost be described as a wine bar in the traditional sense with a selection of favourites: white Pinot Grigio; a wide selection of Shirazes; and the odd Rioja to name a few. The cocktail staff are occasionally on call; however, this is not a permanent occurrence and are usually there on special set nights.

The Last Word
The Livery is a bar that is good for one or two before travelling on to your ultimate destination.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (2) image gallery (8) venue hire