No posh clientele, no snobby bar staff, no pretentious atmosphere. Just more cocktails that you can shake a stick at: welcome to Be at One Covent Garden.

The Venue
Be at One Covent Garden took over a small pub in a quiet corner of Wellington Street: unless you know the address, it is easy to miss since it seems unremarkable from the outside. Step inside and you will think differently. The venue in itself is small and, for this reason, packed: it smells of alcohol and it’s hard to move, any day of the week! The bar occupies one third of the room and the rest is filled with chairs and a couple of tables. Most people just have to stand but they just don’t mind: the drinks are too good.

The Atmosphere
Be at One Covent Garden was set up in 1998 by three experienced bartenders unhappy about the snobby environment they were working in. Hence, anybody’s welcome seems the rule: the majority of customers are people working nearby and there is no pretence of glamour. The service is as fast as it can be when there are too many customers and the place is bustling, although the electric atmosphere is not stressful. The general vibe is so friendly you will want to return, especially for the weekly happy hour: if you like cocktails and dislike the posh environment cocktail bars usually deliver, you have found your heaven.

The Drink
Be at One Covent Garden started with only fifty cocktails in 1998: nowadays, they have over 170 concoctions to choose from. The menu is cleverly organised by pages: fresh fruit specialties, classics, bartender’s favourites, disco, shooters and ice cream, rum, whiskey, tequila, gin and vodka based cocktails. Even the non-alcoholic list is attractive and very comprehensive. Most cocktails cost £6, slightly more for champagne-based drinks, less for some others, while shooters are £4. Mojitos are very popular, fresh and tasty but it is true for most cocktails on the list. In case you are still in doubt on what to choose, put yourself in the very knowledgeable hands of bartenders and enjoy the ride!

The Last Word
To enjoy Be at One Covent Garden you need to love cocktails and be ready to face a crowded environment: the drinks make standing worth it, and the experience is usually a real pleasure.

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