Best Bars in Covent Garden: Amazing Bars for Cocktails and Wine!

Hello! As a travel blogger and reviewer based in London, I’m thrilled to share my top 10 bar recommendations in the lively neighborhood of Covent Garden. 

Located in the West End, it has a spirited atmosphere with restaurants, pubs, street performers, and historic buildings. The area comes alive at night with an exciting bar scene perfect for drinks with friends or a fun night out.

Which is exactly why, I’ll share my list of the 10 best bars in Soho, from cosy basement speakeasies to lively rooftop terraces. Whether you’re looking for a pre-theatre cocktail, an intimate date spot, or just a fun night out, you’ll find the perfect Soho watering hole on this list!

What makes Covent Garden Bars so Great? 

1. Pre- and post-theater crowds – The proximity to theaters and opera houses provides a built-in customer base of theatergoers looking for pre- and post-show drinks.
2. Al fresco drinking – Outdoor seating areas allow drinking in the lively piazza, great during warmer months.
3. Pedestrianized area – The piazza is mostly pedestrianized, making bar-hopping easy without traffic.
4. Independent businesses – Unlike some areas dominated by chains, Covent Garden has many independent, one-off bars.
5. Shopping crowds – All the shops and boutiques draw in shoppers who stop for drinks at places like Monmouth Kitchen.
6. Restaurant scene – The thriving restaurant scene also feeds the nightlife, with diners going for after-dinner drinks.

Here are my Top 10 Best bars in Covent Garden:

With its unbeatable atmosphere and variety of bars, a night out in Covent Garden promises a uniquely London experience. As a frequent visitor, I highly recommend checking out these top bars on your next visit!

1. The Escapologist

 

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The Escapologist is widely considered one of the best cocktail bars in Covent Garden and London’s West End. Inspired by 1899 secret society decor, this intimate basement cocktail bar is known for its extensive drinks menu and unique classic cocktails using premium spirits.

I went here with a tourist and a local, and both of them wholeheartedly agree that it’s one of the best bars for after-work drinks because of how intimate and relaxing the dimly-lit lounge is. 

There’s also an added bonus of actually learning how to mix you’re own cocktails through their workshops! 

Great For: Close friends, Anyone looking to learn more about mixing drinks! 

📍35 Earlham St, Seven Dials, London WC2H 9LD, United Kingdom

2. Blame Gloria

 

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Blame Gloria is a vibrant Spanish-inspired basement cocktail bar located right in the heart of Covent Garden’s exciting bar district. The lively atmosphere with dancing, DJs and live music makes it perfect for drinking delicious cocktails and socializing into the night.

It’s cool interior is inspired by rock icons like Hendrix and Bowie. It’s actually unique in the sense that the inside has a lively party atmosphere while at the same time you’re presented with a calming rooftop seat option, if you’re not in the mood to party. 

Great For: 

📍20 Bedford St, London WC2E 9HP, United Kingdom

3. CellarDoor

Tucked away beneath Covent Garden is the underground basement bar CellarDoor. Known for its intimate yet lively ambiance and dimly lit interiors, it’s become one of the best cocktail bars in Covent Garden to enjoy strong, experimental cocktails. 

It’s also amazing that it was a converted Victorian public restroom back in the late 19-something, which explains it’s historic architecture and its also one of the very few bars in London to host burlesque shows. 

The underground theme and the various events they host made my friends and I feel like it’s it’s one of London’s best kept secrets with it’s very exclusive feel. 

Great For: Pub-Crawlers, Groups of Friends

📍Zero Aldwych, Wellington St, London WC2E 7DN, United Kingdom

4. Eve Bar

 

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The luxurious interiors, extensive cocktail menu with indulgent creations and prime location make it a sophisticated spot for classic cocktails and special occasions. 

It’s one of those places where you could definitely feel that that designing the interior would have taken a pretty long time as every piece of decor placed seemed to compliment the room perfectly. 

Take it from me, date night cocktails in Covent Garden are best enjoyed with good food, to which Eve bar fortunately provides! Situated under a famous Covent Garden restaurant, Frog, this bar caters to your drinking and eating needs!

Great For: Date Nights

📍34 Southampton St, London WC2E 7HF, United Kingdom

5. The Porterhouse

The Porterhouse is an iconic Irish pub in Covent Garden spread out over multiple floors. With its traditional pub interior, lively atmosphere and huge selection of beers, stouts and spirits, it’s a top spot for drinking in Covent Garden.

It offers an authentic pub experience in the heart of London paired with tasty pub grub. It’s especially lively during sports matches.

Definitely my pick as one of the cool bars in Covent Garden, if not all of London.

I definitely recommend bringing a couple of friends over when there’s a big match, order a few bar snacks, and sip on a few pints, and watch the entire bar absolutely implode with every goal, score, or basket made by your favourite teams! 

Great For: Catching up with Friends, Groups of Friends

📍21-22 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7NA, United Kingdom

6. Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour

 

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Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour transports guests to a quirky Victorian explorer’s lounge with its themed decor. It boasts an extensive collection of over 300 gins from around the world, making it one of Covent Garden’s top spots for gin lovers. 

We were never able to actually finish their gin menu, despite visiting the place multiple times since they always have seasonal and limited edition gins!

If gin doesn’t sit well with you then fear not because Mr Fogg has more than two bars under his belt, all in the neighborhood! Mr. Fogg’s tavern in particular is a good spot to just enjoy a couple of pints with your mates if gin doesn’t exactly strike your fancy. 

Great For: Groups of Friends, Pub-crawlers

📍58 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4EA, United Kingdom

7. The 10 Cases

The serene and cosy ambiance at The 10 Cases wine bar makes it one of the best wine bars in Covent Garden. With its charming bistro decor and Mediterranean-inspired small plates, it’s a laidback spot to enjoy an extensive list of wines.

The outdoor seating is perfect for sampling wines alongside charcuterie and cheese boards. 

This place is absolutely perfect for couples as they offer a private dining room, a constantly rotating list of wines for you and your partner to try out, and of course, a personal and exclusive vibe to celebrate special occasions. 

Great For: Date nights, Catching up with Friends

📍16 Endell St, London WC2H 9BB, United Kingdom

8. Tequila Mockingbird

Channeling colorful Mexican cantinas, Tequila Mockingbird specializes in tequila and mezcal cocktails and boasts a lively, festive atmosphere. With Mexican decor and live music, it brings a taste of Mexico to Covent Garden’s diverse bar scene. 

The festivities don’t stop anytime of the week with their daily happy hour deals! If you and you’re friends are looking for budget-friendly places to drink, you should check this place out! 

Great For: Groups of Friends

📍3-5 Burleigh St, London WC2E 7PX, United Kingdom

9. The Marquis

The Marquis exudes British pub charm with its cozy, traditional decor of dark wood and leather. It serves classic British dishes alongside a range of beers, spirits and a wide range of cocktails like the Pimm’s Cup.

The local vibe makes it one of the best pubs in Covent Garden to unwind over pub grub and drink, and is local favourite

It’s a great bar to unwind, chat with friends, and or just enjoy the traditional British pub culture.

Great For: Catching up with Friends

📍51-52 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HS, United Kingdom

10. Monmouth Kitchen

Looking for More Guides?

Aside from the best Covent Garden bars, we’ve also got loads of guides to the best places to visit, best cafes, best restaurants, and most importantly, a guide to the best bars all throughout London!

Check out some our other articles, and we guarantee you’ll find something amazing to do in one of London’s many neighborhoods!

FAQ

Where can I find cool and quirky bars in Covent Garden?

For cool and quirky bars, check out The Lost Alpaca with its ski lodge theme, Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour with its Victorian explorer decor, and Tequila Mockingbird with its Mexican cantina vibe. Blame Gloria and CellarDoor also have unique, vivid designs perfect for Instagram moments.

Where are the best rooftop bars in Covent Garden?

The top rooftop bars in Covent Garden are Eve Bar with its amazing city views and Radio Rooftop Bar on top of ME London. Both combine cocktails with panoramic views over London’s skyline.

Are there any secret or hidden bars worth checking out?

Yes, hidden gem bars include The Escapologist speakeasy, Blind Spot’s concealed entrance, and CellarDoor’s underground setting. Cache Cache and The Lost Alpaca are also tucked away bars worth discovering in Covent Garden.

Are there any lively bars good for groups and nights out?

For lively bars perfect for groups, try The Porterhouse, Blame Gloria, Bunga Bunga, and Be At One cocktail bar. These bars combine music, dancing, entertainment and a vibrant social atmosphere.