Oriole

Booked to see The Fezzes (awesome) and had a perfect seat right in front of the stage. Drank two of the best martini cocktails of my life! Had to order some padron peppers on the side because my greed was overwhelming seeing other people’s dinners (will be coming again for the food). My friend tried a couple of different cocktails and one in particular was like drinking liquid smoke. Delicious!

I went to this restaurant in Covent Garden with friends for dinner over the weekend, and we all loved the drinks—such a great selection. The vibe was amazing, especially the jazz music, which was so good that we got totally lost in it. If you’re looking for a place to chill on the weekend, this bar is definitely a must!

Listen, I've seen a Golden Oriel. It's a big deal. A bit of a twitcher prized catch. Something of a rarity, It kind of passed me by when it passed me by on the banks of the Ouze. We happened upon a group of mad twitchers later, hell bent on spotting the thing. When I told them nonchalantly I had seen it, I felt I was going to be stabbed in each eye by sharp pencils. These people were scary. This Oriel is also a rare thing. A restaurant that's also a cocktail bar that's also a Jazz cafe. I'm not sure what the hierarchical order of things are and I also think that's why I like it. It's not the best on any of these but it also works very nicely thank you on them all. The place itself is nestled in one of these spanking new 'courts' that have appeared all over Soho. Ham Court, Court, Kingsley Court, Rathbone Square (a court masquerading as a square). Gleaming evidence of bundles of cash lying around somewhere nowadays. Yes a bit of character has been ironed out and there are fewer places to go for a piss after dark. But there is something seductive about this court. Peace and quiet a few yards away from the madness of Long Acre and Maiden Lane. Nice tiles, swish shops. Sacharine as a nut, thank you very much. The upstairs is OK inasmuch as there's a bar selling cocktails and everything is new. But it's downstairs where the action is. There's a bouncer type up top making sure the riff raff aren't wandering down there. The first hint of the 'speakeasy' vibe they have successfully captured. A charming carved wooden monkey greets us on the staircase down, a sign of the eclecticism to come. Ever so smart parquet flooring and walls covered with silky looking printed materials depicting exotic foliage. It's dark, the ceilings are as low as the lighting. A posh speakeasy. Sophistication and silliness in equal measure. We are guided past a small stage to our table where we immediately order cocktails from the extensive menu. The cocktails are great fun to look at. One has a fluffy white cloud floating above it. Another has a parmesan tuile for an umbrella. Ice cubes won't do. Ice balls it is. Big clear perfect spheres of the cold stuff. Worth the fuss of making them I'm sure. The cocktails all taste extraordinarily alcoholic and in truth a little bit challenging, but that's part of the fun/sophistication thing. We wince as we take sips of each others. A reminder that alcohol is poison, no matter how you dress it up. The food menu is short. Sharing plates that sound elegant and are tidily presented. Polenta with egg yolk and mushroom is rich and silky. Ceviche is clean and fresh. Leeks with some sort of cheese sauce finished with a black powder looks startling and taste good. Pork with chimichurri does the job. Flat iron steak is a little too chewy. Dipping sauce has depth as do the smoked new potatoes. The kitchen may be a little too ambitious but they are showing out like everyone in here and the ambition is welcome. The band appear. Jazzy and a little rough round the edges but two lethal cocktails in, they could wheel in S Club Seven and it would go down a treat. They do wonders for the conviviality levels anyway. As the volume goes up, more cocktails are ordered. We'd be bouncing off the screen printed walls but we're keeping ourselves nice because Oriel is a bit smoother than that. Cocktails, Jazz, sharing plates is a combination that could disappear up its own arse. But with the help of warm relaxed service and stylish kook, Oriel keep it firmly on the fun side. Watch out twitchers. I've got a Big Book in the making here.

Warm place, amazing cocktails and dishes. Staff experienced and friendly. We had a 3 course menu, portions were satisfying and the food delicious.

Came back to Oriole after it has reopened and absolutely loved it! Delicious food and drinks, excellent service, and amazing vibe - recommend the Citizens of the Plains drink, the mushroom appetiser and the trout main. They have a pre/post dinner menu that is very reasonably priced. The live music was awesome. Will definitely be back!

Went there for a drink with our colleagues in the office We sat on the ground level which is called the upstairs as they have an underground level as well I guess they do live entertainment downstairs Drinks were really nice and the service was very quick Nice place around Covent Garden area

Amazing find. Great live music. Awesome cocktails and the service is always second to none.

This was one of my favourite spots when it was in Farringdon and it still remains as one of my faves now that it’s moved to Covent Garden, they’ve managed to keep the speakeasy style as before. The cocktails are out of this world! The waiters are amazing and more than happy to talk you through the cocktail menu. The live music is just the cherry on the top 👌