The “oldest licensed premises in London” have certainly moved with the times to become a trendy and appealing venue for the night-owls and theatre-goers of central London.

The Venue
The White Hart can be found at the northernmost point of Drury Lane, a refuge between the busy hubs of Shaftesbury Avenue on one side, and Kingsway on the other. “The oldest licensed premises in London”, if its spiel is to be believed, it nonetheless strikes the newcomer as a fairly modern, bustling establishment, with its stained-glass reception giving way to a vaulted, dimly-lit bar area and eventually an airy, high-ceilinged dining room towards the back. There is plenty of sitting space for small and large groups, including wicker chairs, pews, wrought-iron stools and comfy sofas, and the décor draws on a wide variety of styles, throwing paintings, chandeliers, candles, curtains and a huge gilt-framed TV into the mix. There's even a fairly ornate marble statue taking pride of place in a recess near the toilets, across the room from some vintage fruit machines. The highly-polished bar is no exception to this aesthetic cross-pollination, displaying a selection of pottery and Polaroids of guests among the racks of drinks and tumblers on the back wall.

The Atmosphere
Allegedly favoured by notorious highwaymen and blackguards in the 13th century, the White Hart attracts an altogether more pleasant crowd these days, situated as it is between Covent Garden and the British Museum. As well as a popular catch-all for after-work drinks and weekend get-togethers, it generally hosts an affluent mix of theatre-goers and museum-dwellers, not to mention a fair share of the local student population. The bar is often busy but not overly crowded despite its standalone location, and the ambience is never less than warm and hospitable, with friendly, efficient staff and accommodating clientele. The mood lighting and selection of music tend to fit the occasion perfectly, with house DJs taking over the decks at the weekend, and the décor remains quirky enough to stand out from other nearby haunts.

The Food
Despite opening with a disclaimer about not aspiring to faultless haute cuisine, the pub menu is largely excellent, with hand-crafted specials appearing alongside crowd-pleasers and seasonal treats. The meat courses are unpretentious but satisfying, with burgers, pies, wraps and steak (£7-£10) dispatched with panache from the dumb waiter behind the bar. Those looking for something a little lighter can try a baguette, jacket potato or even cauliflower cheese and stuffed mushrooms for under a fiver, and impressively huge platters (£11) both carnivorous and vegetarian are available for larger groups.

The Drink
The bar doesn't hold too many surprises in terms of selection (the usual suspects on draught and in bottles, and a conservative cocktail menu) or price (anywhere from £3.50 to £4.50 for a pint) but the wine list is fairly comprehensive and painstakingly descriptive. The house red is a lovely bilberry merlot, from £13 a bottle, ranging upwards to £18 for a superb Italian chardonnay, and there are a good half-dozen varieties of champagne, cava, rose and prosecco for completists, all at reasonable prices.

The Last Word
Boasting eye-catching furnishings, good food and a unique back-story, the White Hart offers an appealing port of call in the centre of London for students, professionals and tourists alike.

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