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Bow Street Tavern, Covent Garden, WC2

37 Bow Street
WC2
WC2E 7AU
Phone: 02073790154

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Moby Duck left this review about Bow Street Tavern

A buzzing little pub still as Tris describes below, the three beers on were London Pride, Adnams Southwold Bitter and Landlord. Beer choice aside it's a cracking little place.

On 21st November 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1868 recommendations about 1841 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Tris C left this review about Bow Street Tavern

Amazingly, this was a first in here for me the other night, to what was originally the Globe; the pub’s history is interesting and I shan’t repeat what’s on CAMRA’s site.
It’s quite a simple place, though by no means in a bad way. The floor is rough boarded. There are drinking ledges around a couple of columns, otherwise furniture is traditional Britannia-style, with some peripheral banquette seating. There’s bare wood field panelling to the dado, then papered walls and a brick red Lincrusta ceiling. A log burning stove is present, looking used. The columns feature interesting brass ‘cherub’ lamps which may have been specially commissioned for the pub, otherwise there are Victorian sconces and simple white translucent hanging lamps above the bar, which has an attractive back. Upstairs there’s a gin terrace/roof garden and the ‘Inspector’s Room’ downstairs. Décor comes in the form of Toby jugs, Scotch jugs, a primitive portrait of the Queen, framed pictures of Royalty, similar depicting Hitchcock and Anna Massey (Frenzy was filmed here) with others depicting the area in its former market-era use; a modest TV was showing the footie; good sounds played over the stereo.
Ales: an unused pump, an Adnams reversed, Wandle and Tribute at a very good £2.45 and fine.
This is a decent little boozer, a rarity in the area. It’s certainly worth a visit in its own right and definitely worthy of inclusion on a crawl; the 20% discount on food and drink for key workers is worth mentioning.

On 3rd November 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1956 recommendations about 1923 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Covent Garden

There were three ales on - West Berkshire Good Old Boy, Darkstar Hophead and Sambrook Wandle all on. The Wandle was £2.50 a half, which is expensive even for this area. Single sheet menus on the tables offered pub grub such as Cumberland sausage & mash (£11), beer-battered haddock & chips (£13), and burger, etc, at £11.50. Par for the course in this area I suppose.

This is a small single-room pub on the ground floor, with both doors still in use. There's a couple of tall tables/tall stools in the window bay, another at the back, plus some upholstered bench seating and a handful of normal tables and chairs. The bar back is nice, but there was little else that caught my eye. There's a large brick fireplace on the right (not in use on a warm May day), and the windows are able to open up to completely join the pub to the outside world (inexplicably closed on said warm May day). I saw a sign by the door that said that it's child and dog friendly with treats and bowls available for dogs (but not for children I guess). An upstairs bar with an outside terrace is advertised, but I didn't explore upstairs.

This pub used to be called the Globe, and I guess re-named to trade on its proximity to the tourist hell that is Covent Garden. As pubs in these area go this one's OK - at least it's still a real pub with decent (if expensive) beer.

On 2nd June 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Ian Mapp left this review about The Covent Garden

I was actually looking for the Coach and Horses and in biblical rain, peaked too early.

Time was getting on, so I took advantage of the fact its a bar and kitched and ordered food.

The London Pride was exceptional. The food excellent and reasonable value (for the area) and the service first class.

On 2nd February 2017 - rating: 7
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


custodian 42 left this review about The Covent Garden

Virtually deserted on Tuesday afternoon. Five hand pumps all below 4% ABV. Cider @ £2.80 and half! Had an upstairs bar which I did not visit.

On 1st February 2017 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john gray left this review about The Globe

Busy pub with decent beers.Removable front windows helps on a warm sunny day.Hammertons -N1.trumans -swift and my ridiculously expensive half of Trumans -gypsy queen -£2.60.

On 28th May 2016 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Globe

A small but busy pub just off Covent Garden, one of the few that still serves food after the theatres chuck out. The interior is pleasant, traditional, in keeping with the area. The staff were friendly, the food was limited in scope but was well cooked and quite tasty, and the beer was good. Four ales on draft, two from Trumans, I had a swift pint of – well, Swift Pint, which was in good condition and nicely complemented my mushroom risotto. Worth including in a crawl or dropping in after the opera.

On 18th January 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Globe

Third time lucky - having failed on a busy December Sunday (too early, when everywhere else was open) and Christmas Eve (when everywhere else was still open) - but finally managed a long-overdue revisit... Anyway, little seems to have changed in this compact and brightly lit Covent Garden watering hole. Both the main bar and upstairs dining room (with another small counter) were very busy; mostly with tourists as you would expect. Five real ales on handpump, with the regular Pride supplemented by three from Truman - Swift, Zephyr and the seasonal Jungle Bells (£4.40) - and Merrie City Crystal Gold.

On 16th January 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


hondo . left this review about The Globe

Interior as described below. 5 real ale taps 3 on during my visit.

On 9th October 2015 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]


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Malden man left this review about The Globe

I ducked in here out of a sudden downpour yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to find a decent proper pub in the tourist dominated area that is Covent Garden. There is a single room at street level with the bar along one side, traditional seating opposite at banquettes with mirrored sections in the upper part of the backs, a more intimate area in a recess at the back plus a couple of the now regular high tables in the front window. There is further seating in the upstairs bar and restaurant but I didn't explore. Wood floored, the elaborate moulded ceiling is painted white, some wood panelling and a central fireplace opposite the bar. Framed programme covers from The Royal Opera House opposite are displayed. Circular section columns painted red hold up the upper floors, three elegant glass chandeliers over the bar provide additional lighting, chalkboards around the walls advertise food and drink offers and also the extensive wine and fizz list. The main menu is priced as you'd expect for the area but there are lunch specials during the week at £5.95 and kids meals a pound cheaper. There is also a separate sharing platters and tapas menu.
Beers were Oakham JHB (£3.60), Sharps Doom Bar and Red Ale, Pride plus Lilley's Crazy Goat cider. Service was good and efficient with two on, all in all worthy of a visit while in Covent Garden.

On 18th September 2011 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]

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