The ViewLondon Review
Los Locos in Covent Garden is a well established bar, club and restaurant all-in-one serving up fuss free, Mexican-flavoured fun.The VenueSet in the heart of London’s bar and restaurant district, it’s testament to Los Locos’ winning combination of Tex-Mex food, good-value drinks and buzzing atmosphere that it has been around for almost two decades. Located in a large basement space, you descend the creaky stairs and enter the world of fiesta-kitsch. Short of the waiters wearing sombreros, this popular nightspot verges on tacky with its orange-painted walls and gaudy, vinyl-covered booths, but redeems itself by honouring its guarantee of a fun, well fed and watered night out.
The AtmosphereThis late night venue is loud, brash and laid back. The staff are the pulse of Los Locos - friendly, gregarious and on-the-ball. On arrival to this mad Mexican underground, you are greeted with drinks menus and shown to your table. This place is far from a fine dining experience. It's unpretentious and for solely for those who want a good night out. And the proof is in the patrons. In between the booths and long wooden tables, people laugh, dance, and swing between jugs of cocktails and large platters of nachos. You get the idea that everyone is enjoying themselves.
The MusicThe DJ plays crowd-pleasing party tunes – anything from Gipsy Kings to 50 Cent – turning up the volume late at night. The ‘everything under one roof’ concept makes Los Locos an ideal location for office or birthday parties, hens nights or stag dos.
The FoodThe menu is Mexican-themed and can be hit and miss. There are some delicious offerings, but you wouldn't come here for the food alone. The guacamole is fresh and zingy, served with crunchy corn tortilla chips, and the King prawn fajitas are sizzling with delicious spices all the way to the table. On the other hand, the kitchen is a bit heavy with creamy cheese in a few dishes and the filling options for the fajitas and tacos (turkey, prawn or vegetable) are not as authentic as the usual beef and chicken combinations.
The menu may not be 5-star, but you are certainly not left wanting for choice. Choose between deep fried brie, seasoned potato skins, nachos, spring rolls, barbecue wings and chips and salsa for starters. For mains, Mexican favourites such as enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, quesadillas, chilli, steak, ribs, beans and rice get your stomach grumbling (especially after a few mojitos!). For large groups there are hearty sharing platters available and even a separate party menu, so you can get straight down to business. Mains range from £10 to £15, a little high for the food alone, but include the club entry.
The DrinkAt Los Locos it’s happy hour every night, when you can indulge in jugs of cocktails for less than £10 and selected beers for £1.50. The bar menu offers a large selection of cocktails and shooters, some with names to shock even the most liberal drinkers. There is a good choice of bottled beers including Sol, San Miguel, Carlsberg, Budweiser and Budvar, and plenty of premium tequilas to choose from if you want to get in the spirit. If you fancy your Rioja over your Margarita, there is a well-priced selection of reds, whites and roses from Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, France, Spain and Chile. And if you’ve got something to celebrate, there is a good selection of sparkling wine and Champagne to suit any budget.
The Last WordIf you want a fun night out with a big bunch of amigos Los Locos, with it’s party-atmosphere, is the place to go.
Los Locos has been reviewed by 10 users