Charing Cross is a strange meeting place. It’s very much a no man’s land of London. But with its central location and busy station it often seems like the perfect place to meet-up.
Until you realise that actually, without venturing into Soho or Covent Garden, there’s apparently little around here. Apart from a few secret little venues you might not know about.
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Gordon’s Wine Bar
If you sneak down Villiers street you’ll come to a cute little garden by Embankment station. Just next to there is Gordon’s wine bar. Established in 1890, Gordon’s is probably London’s oldest wine bar. It’s also London’s best. You can only buy wine, port or Madeira here, but it’s worth it. Grab a bottle and a plate of cheese and sit outside if it’s warm, or hide in the catacombs for a romantic chat in candle light.
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The Chandos
If you’re not in the mood for wine, and The Coal Hole on the Strand is full, head up to The Chandos on St. Martin’s lane. This is a great boozer owned by the Samuel Smiths brewery. Samuel Smiths means many things, but most importantly, it means cheap. You’ll get change from five pounds for two beers. It makes a nice change from the sometimes extortionate prices you can be charged in town. The Chandos is also huge. You’ll always be able to find a seat in here – there are lots of sofas upstairs too.
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National Gallery Café
The National Gallery has also got a few options that might surprise you. If you’re having a nose around all the paintings, make sure you pop into the cafe when you’re done. They’ve got a great selection of cakes which you’ll spend for too long pondering over. You’ll have no trouble finding a seat in the simple but charming cafe. If you want something a little more swish, the National Dining Room will take care of this. You’ll can just have a bit of lunch or a bottle of champagne in this gorgeous but unpretentious restaurant and bar.
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Ship and Shovel
It’s best to avoid the rather predictable Sherlock Holmes pub on Northumberland Avenue and head to the historical Ship and Shovel tucked away on Craven Passage. Here, you really do have a pub of two halves as it’s split on either side of the street. There’s a large bar on one side but the other side is much more fun with its upstairs seating and really tiny snug which is just big enough for two people.
As long as you avoid all of the generic and plasticy pubs and bars in Charing Cross, you should be able to find somewhere fun. As great as London is, areas surrounding stations aren’t always wonderful drinking spots. Sometimes it’s worth venturing a little further into town. Unless you decide to stay in Gordon’s all night that is. In which case nothing could be more perfect.
Photo of Gordon’s Pub, London originally posted by L-plate big cheese
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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Tags: London
About the author
Sian is a freelance journalist who specialises in writing about entertainment and events in London. She can often be found lurking around cocktail bars and drinking too much tea in little cafes. She is best approached cautiously, with a piece of cake.
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