Terminal 5,
London Heathrow Airport,
Heathrow,
London,
TW6 2GA
(020) 8283 5065
The ViewLondon Review
No, not a pun on the average amount of lost luggage per flight, the 5 Tuns is a great little bar located in Heathrow’s now infamous Terminal 5.
The Venue
Located on the top of the terminal, the 5 Tuns is ideally suited for those awaiting their check in time, as well as airport workers enjoying a well earned after work (one hopes) drink. This well laid out establishment has enough character to feel detached from the corporate sterility of BA’s impressive new terminal, boasting large sofas and colourful seating that complement the stylish industrial chic. A mural of London landmarks snakes along the wall, offering a comforting reminder of your proximity to town, whilst a large bar acts as a nicely approachable centrepiece.
The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is difficult to summarise, thanks to its unique location. This is a place where you might see quick drinks gulped before check in; workers settling down for a bottle of wine after their shift; drivers nursing a soft drink awaiting an arrival or anxious passengers settling their nerves, but whatever the reason, the pleasant staff and comfortable setting certainly make it a nice place to visit. Those looking for something slightly more relaxed can settle down on the very comfortable sofas and chairs, whilst others can find more formal seating to the left of the entrance, enabling you to switch between stylish bar and cosy, almost traditional pub.
The Drink
With a selection of excellent ales that are complemented by some well kept lagers, the 5 Tuns offers something a little more traditional than you might expect from an airport watering hole. The London Pride is superb, but of real note is the Cornish Doom Bar Bitter, a deliciously soft and fruity ale that’s nowhere near as prevalent in the city as it should be.
The wine list is exquisite thanks to a particularly helpful contact – it’s always handy when you can draft in the chief executive’s Master of Wine father to tell you what’s hot and what’s not. One drink visitors simply must try however, is the organic Bloody Mary - a spicy little number that benefits from some extremely well balanced flavours and a vodka that’s already infused with horseradish - sublime.
The Last Word
A valuable addition to Terminal 5, the 5 Tuns is about as good as an airport pub gets. And whilst it’s not got as much character as your country local, it’s just as welcoming.
5 Tuns has been reviewed by 2 users