At the heart of one of the nation’s leading performance venues is this bar complete with a smashing terrace that is an essential stop on any visit to London’s South Bank.

The Venue
Central Bar is one of a handful of drinking spots within the Royal Festival Hall. The bar itself (wood-topped with a glossy cream front and mirrored backing) sits within the centre of the hall’s foyer and is the perfect spot to grab a pre-show drink or to stop off for refreshment after a stroll on the South Bank.

While you can choose to sit at the red retro couches or low-slung pleather seating within the spacious foyer, the jewel of this bar is its terrace outside. The giant patio dotted with small circular tables and black plastic chairs spread out from the Festival Hall, elevated above the thriving South Bank. An excellent spot for sun-worshipping, from here you also get a great view of the Thames, London skyline, Golden Jubilee walkways and the London Eye.

The Atmosphere
When the sun’s out, the Central Bar terrace is packed with revellers enjoying cocktails, beer and Champagne from the small portable bar. Favoured as a drinking spot by tourists and locals alike, you’ll find a crowd of young and old, theatregoers, sightseers and workers from nearby offices. Post-5pm on sunny weekday evenings, finding a seat is nigh-on impossible – if you’re lucky you’ll get one of the high stools perched at the edge of the balcony offering the best views.

The bar inside is busiest pre- and post-show, attracting well-dressed culture vultures, and you can order your cocktail ahead so you don’t have to queue at the interval. At all times, both bars have an upbeat atmosphere. Everyone is here to have a good time and enjoy one of London’s most dynamic, iconic sites.

The Drink
There’s not a great deal to choose from in terms of beer here, with only Kronenbourg and Theakstone on tap (£3.40 a pint) and Kronenbourg and San Miguel by the bottle (from £3.10). Mr Whitehead’s Cider is also available by the bottle and a small selection of wine can be purchased from £3.95 a glass and £15 a bottle.

For a small bar, there’s a large selection of spirits, although you can’t beat the cocktails (from £7.50). There’s a standard selection of the classics (Bloody Mary, Moscow Mule, Cuba Libre) while out on the terrace bar you'll be tempted by delicious bellinis (classic, Sunset or Aniseed – a unique combo of Ricard Anise, elderflower cordial and prosecco), watermelon punch, passion fruit mojitos and the obligatory Pimms. All cocktails are conveniently offered by the jug. If you’re celebrating then there are bottles of Veuve Clicquot, Bollinger and Dom Perignon (with a £120 price tag).

The Last Word
Although the atmosphere varies wildly according to the weather (improving markedly when you can take advantage of the terrace) Central Bar is in a great location and perfectly complements the energetic hub that is the South Bank.

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