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The Opera Tavern, Covent Garden, WC2
WC2
WC2B 5JS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Opera Tavern
This establishment has re-opened, but unfortunately not as a pub. Although it’s kept the original “Opera Tavern” name, it’s now a tapas bar. When I passed by the other day the entirety of the room was occupied by serried ranks of tables and chairs, all laid for diners. There were stools at the bar, but in front of all of them were cutlery, napkins and wine glasses. In short, there was nowhere for someone just wanting a drink. In any case there were certainly no handpumps on the bar counter, and I didn’t spot any lager fonts either although there might have been one lurking down at the end of the bar that I didn’t see.
On 23rd April 2011
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Opera Tavern
Situated opposite the Drury Lane Theatre, this pub was built in the 1870s during the golden age of Victorian pub design, although there’s little remaining indication of its Victorian heritage inside. Anyway, they had Brain’s Skull Attack; London Pride; Adnam’s Bitter, TT Landlord; and Jenning’s Cumberland ale on. I had the Brain’s SA, which I had never tried before, and thought it was excellent. I believe that this is a Mitchell & Butler pub, as they had a second clip on each of the handpumps with a few tasting notes on the ale in question, plus the price and ABV. All the beers were under £3, with the Pride being a very competitive £2.60.
This is a small, one-room pub. There’s a rather nice bar back, retaining what looks like the original mirrors in place advertising Skol Lager; Long Life; and Double Diamond. Luckily these crimes against brewing are no longer available! There’s an attractive fireplace at the back alongside the bar; a TV screen of course, but not on during my lunchtime visit; plus a fruit machine and games machine. Furniture is a combination of high stools/tables, banquettes and normal tables and chairs.
There were only a handful of tourists in, so was fairly empty. The service was friendly enough, and they do decent ale at decent prices. It’s a comfortable enough pub, and OK for a pint or two, but not worth going out of your way to find.
On 5th August 2009
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Opera Tavern
Not too bad atmosphere-wise for a Nicholson's pub, but I do wish they wouldn't put silly tea-light candles on the small tables without some sort protection... Should have complained when I got given a rather cloudy pint of something unmemorable, but it tasted marginally better than it looked. Won't rush back.
On 15th January 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Opera Tavern
This is a decent little boozer with two very friendly and experienced barmaids.
Landlord, Black Sheep, Doombar and Beartown Brewery's Bear Ass were all available along with the usual lagers, Guinness and Strongbow. I can now say that I went to the opera and supped Bear Ass and enjoyed it – Oh dear!
There are 2 old TVs and the pub was very quiet so I must have timed it just right to miss the show crowds.
This is now one of my pubs of choice for this area.
On 25th November 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5243 recommendations about 5211 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Opera Tavern
A Small 1 room pub opposite the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (so expect it to be packed pre-theatre). The original pub was built in 1846 but the present building dates from 1879 and retains some of the original features - etched windows, fireplace etc. There are a few pictures and mirrors on the walls but not enough to make the place feel cluttered. 3 Ales on handpump including a guest beer. Reasonably priced (the Hobgoblin was £2.50). The food looked fine and was, again, reasonably priced. 2 TV's. Very friendly staff (the barman checked to see how my Hobgoblin was and advised me of the other beers they are expecting in the forseeable future). In an area teeming with pubs it is the small details like the peronal touch that makes pubs stand out and the Opera Tavern will definitely be getting a few more visits from me.
On 4th November 2005
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]