I find myself asking for mercy from the party gods when passing O Bar; mercy for never having stepped inside this clear institution of Central London fun. For years I hadn’t ventured into The O Bar which is sat bang in the middle of Soho between Wardour and Brewer St - an envious location for all bars. It was time for redemption.
The Venue and Atmosphere
‘Primetime location’ doesn’t do O Bar justice. It’s literally on the corner of two of Soho’s busiest streets, a spot that bustles daytime or night; its three floors buzzing with activity, from the basement club through to the ground floor bar and top floor lounge. That’s three bars with three different vibes giving you potentially four hours of partying in one building (maths was always my favourite subject). The top floor lounge, plumped and cosied with soft cushions and chill music is more relaxed, great for conversation while people-watching the Soho streets through towering white-paned windows. It sits over O Bar’s main hub - the ground floor - which boasts flower chandeliers and is packed with people perched on the red velvet booths or striped stools. Head downstairs to the cavernous basement club, a glistening grotto of mirrored mosaics and low lighting.
The bar attracts a cool but mixed crowd, filling up from 5 o’ clock with groups wanting to unwind from work or meet with friends. Upstairs is the perfect place for a chilled drink, with pals gossiping in corners or couples cosying up over a cocktail. Downstairs is another story, go right to the bottom to find a modern mania complete with thumping tunes provided by a DJ. It’s a slick, suave and super intimate joint and if the space isn’t booked, you’ll happily end up boogieing to Whitney mashups in a small space with strangers like it’s a house party. My favourite thing ever.
The ground floor bar at The O Bar is perfect for a drink and a dance.
The Food and Drink
Serving up a classic roster of cocktails alongside a few interesting blends, The O Bar teeters between creativity and firm favourites when it comes to their ridiculously affordable drinks list. Picking a Thai Mojito from their cheap and cheerful selection, the blend of Bacardi, lemon grass, lime and basil sumptuously laced with coconut cream and topped with ginger beer kept us singing from our proverbial hammocks. Try one and thank me later. Drinks were flanked by pizza served practically on tap; we delved into a pile of simple but satisfying thin crusts as everything from Margarita to pepperoni can be found. The pizzas don't steer too far from your normal selection but their pricing and rich flavours stand them in seriously good stead. Happy Hour on Mondays here end at midnight, and excess and value come together with £3.50 beers and a choice of over 50 cocktails priced from £5.50. I'll be honest, I've yet to find a more impressively priced menu in London.
The O Bar has an amazing happy hour with cocktails starting at £5.50.
Summary
The O Bar is not to be missed and undeniably has it all; come here to flirt, chatter, dance, drink, fall back, party, it doesn’t matter - anything goes. The O Bar catches you in every mood, every day with a great mix of music, cocktails and vibes. Because it’s all about those vibes.
