An atmospheric French wine bar full of Gallic charm.

The Venue
Tucked away in a side street off Charing Cross Road, this little gem offers an authentic French bistro vibe. The decor is a tad smothered, with the walls covered in mirrors, posters and memorabilia. A vast quantity of men’s ties and drinking mugs hang from the ceiling and behind the bar there are a string of pictures which look like the staff’s holiday snaps. However, this is all part of Le Beaujolais’ homely charm. Keeping with this vibe it is run by French ex-pats and you can often find regulars propping up the bar asking for their usual. A basement restaurant is available for members only.

The Atmosphere
It only has a few tables and it can feel rather cramped. Get there before 5pm to beat the office workers and London gliterati to the seats. It fills up very quickly. The dim lighting, the subtle jazz and blues music and friendly, unpretentious atmosphere makes it a great place for a relaxed after work drink. As the hours pass and the wine flows, the place soon gets buzzing. You can order at the bar if it’s very busy, but there is table service as well. The service is good and the staff friendly and chatty.

The Food
The cooking is sturdy, rustic French home-cooking. The simple, but tasty menu, which is in French, offers four hot dishes such as Toulouse sausages and Boeuf Bourguignon, and five cold dishes including smoked salmon platter, Pate de Campagne and a charcuterie platter. The Toulouse sausages with creamy mash and gravy are highly recommended, as is the large cheeseboard of several divine French cheeses. Prices range from around £8 – £12. There are also nibbles such as olives and bread, as well as a dessert du jour (usually creme brulee) and menu du jour.

The Drink:
Wine, and lots of it. Le Beaujolais has an extensive wine list for a small venue, and a glass will set you back £4 to £6 pounds. The cheapest bottle costs around £16, with the most expensive at £30. Le Beaujolais also offer a limited choice of soft drinks, Champagne, spirits, cider and beer (Kronenbourg).

The Last Word
A true find. Despite being a bit cramped, it is an intimate, cosy place that gets livelier as the evening progresses.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4)