6-7 Great Newport Street,
Leicester Square,
London,
WC2H 7JB
(020) 7836 9533
The ViewLondon Review
Can’t afford to become a member of Milk and Honey but still want to experience a secreted away speakeasy-style cocktail bar in the heart of the West End? Covent Garden Cocktail Club (formerly known as London Cocktail Club) may be members’ only but it’s free to become a member and is open to everyone. The ideal antidote to all of the tacky tourist bars and drunken revelry that surrounds Leicester Square.
The Venue
Set across two floors, Covent Garden Cocktail Club occupies a prime position between Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Shaftesbury Avenue, tucked away on a relatively quiet road behind Leicester Square tube.
As a part of the Arts Theatre, the bar has that genuine theatrical feel that is so often poorly emulated by other venues in and around Theatreland. On the ground floor is an area that’s only open when it’s very busy, a show is on or they’re hosting a party, otherwise the basement is where the action takes place.
Stepping down the stairway, you’ll enter a Prohibition-style space that’s cosy and trendy in equal measure. Understated and laid back, the dark wooden bar with a huge array of unusual spirits acts as a centrepiece to the room, drawing the eye with the promise of what so many premium bottles can deliver. The rest of the room is well spaced, despite not being overly large, aided by two huge gold gilded mirrors adorning two walls, opening up the room well. Apart from a couple of bar stools, dark Chesterfield sofas line the space by low tables, lit seductively by candlelight. Dimmed spotlights above and a couple of granny-style lamps sit on the bar and at intervals around the room. A large weathered globe sits between two of the tables, evoking images of explorers of far-flung lands drinking here and random touches such as a statue of a dog on the bar adds an element of humour.
The walls are adorned with retro posters and imagery, including the most iconic bar movie of all time, Cocktail. Tucked around a corner is a small, secreted away area with more Chesterfields that can act as a VIP space. This is the kind of bar that you know rolled out of bed one morning with messy hair and sleepy eyes and emerged looking cool without having to lift a finger.
The Atmosphere
This is where Covent Garden Cocktail Club excels. Being a members’ bar and one that works closely with the local theatrical population, there’s a real easygoing sense of friendship between the utterly charming team of bartenders and the effortlessly trendy theatre luvvies that come here. That’s not to say that any first-timer will feel out of place or in any way excluded. It’s all smiles, warm welcomes and a genuine charm that is so often absent from bars in and around the capital. Think of it as the Cheers of speakeasy bars, if you will. This is especially good if you live or work in the area and are fed up of being crammed into tiny tourist bars.
This feeling is further perpetuated by the easygoing music that plays in the background, creating a surprising party atmosphere that works perfectly with the friendliness of the bar and the flair bartending that catches the eye. Think of the kind of songs that you can unashamedly sing along and bop to, covering genres such as rock, indie, funk, soul, blues, acoustic and jazz. The icing on a rather delicious cake.
The Drink
You’d be forgiven for being a little nervous of the flair bartending that goes on here; after all, how many great mixologists can also toss a cocktail shaker from their elbow to their hand? Well, apparently this is one of the only bars in London where you can experience entertaining flair with expert mixology. Impressive.
This is the kind of place that you walk into and ask the bartender what drink you should have. After all, who needs a menu when you have an expert on hand who can craft you a cocktail matched perfectly to your individual tastes. Brilliantly, the cocktails are incredibly well priced, with the majority coming in at just £7, rising to £8. Also, a happy hour that runs from 5pm-7pm means that many cocktails are 2-4-1, which further improves the excellent value for money that this bar offers.
If you’re a fan of sweeter cocktails then the Rock Candy is the perfect example of Covent Garden Cocktail Club getting the balance of flavours spot on. Arriving as a pink drink in a martini glass with a marshmallow floating on top, the mix of Grey Goose citrus vodka, rose liqueur, lychee, fresh ginger, cranberry and apple juice tantalises the tastebuds. The sweetness of the apple juice is counteracted by the slight perfume of the rose liqueur, the heat from the ginger and the dry undertone from the cranberry, all given a slight kick from the vodka. The marshmallow adds a playful edge that brings it all together - delicious. If you prefer your drinks a lot stronger then the Gibson is worth a try, being a dry martini garnished with two pickled onions. The pure but clean alcohol hit will be much loved by those that like strong drinks and it’s perfectly mixed and is well balanced by the slight vinegary kick of the onions.
If you’re not a fan of cocktails then there’s also a great range of beer and cider (£3.50-£4) including the unusual Labbats lager from the USA, as well as a good choice of Champagne, red, white and rose bottles. Again, prices are excellent with the cheapest bottle of wine coming in at £15.
The Last Word
Covent Garden Cocktail Club gets it oh so right. A genuinely friendly atmosphere within a cosy yet trendy speakeasy-style bar with incredibly well priced, well mixed cocktails at reasonable prices all for the grand membership fee of nada. A much-needed antidote to the tacky bars that inundate this area of London.
Covent Garden Cocktail Club has been reviewed by 31 users