Just off the Kingsway, on Covent Garden’s lovely Great Queen Street, Sway Bar offers a vibrant blend of classical and contemporary London. This buzzing restaurant/bar/club, attracts a smorgasbord of guests into its spacious depths - unsurprising for its wonderful, central location. We headed down on a Saturday night and noticed couples enjoying low-key Bellinis, groups of merry and feasting party-goers, and those who simply came to sway the night away.
Venue
Passing through the impressive facade, the concierge staff greeted us with winning smiles and showed us to our dining booth. There’s a clean division of diners and drinkers, making it easier to enjoy a more intimate beverage at the bar or eat amongst other diners, in a true restaurant setting. There’s something about the decor that offers a touch of the French bistro combined with a London pub. Tall ceilings, impressive lampshades, and deliciously high-quality furniture completes the fusion look. This, along with dim lighting, groovy music and echoey chatter, creates a real buzz in the venue.
Beneath the restaurant is the club. Spacious and diverse, the four rooms, four genres and sundry bars cater to both the hip hop and cheese enthusiast. We were steered to VIP room where groups of young, old and international groups had booked large areas and enjoyed the private bar. The combination of the main room’s neon lights and Peter Andre always offers high cringe potential but admittedly, it was fun!
There's drinking, dining and dancing with friendly service throughout this happening Covent Garden hangout.
Atmosphere and Clientele
At dinner, we enjoyed the company of groups of lucky punters from the Epsom Derby, London yuppies, international entourages and the classic hen contingent. Everyone was clearly enjoying themselves and this is an excellent choice for groups who want to let loose. It’s definitely one of the most diverse crowds I’ve experienced in a Central London venue like this. And it works. In the club, the restaurant crowd trickled down to combine with party-goers, dressed to impress. Shot girls were slinking around, and the hens, students and birthday groups all gravitated to their genre room of choice.
Bring the wolf pack and get down to a playlist packed with those cheesy favourites.
Food, Drink and Service
The charming, attentive staff really characterise this place. The service was wonderful throughout and our waiter at dinner, in particular, struck a perfect balance of attentiveness and discretion. He also recommended us excellent choices, something I always appreciate at a restaurant - being able to gauge the customer’s palate. There’s quite an impressive food and drinks menu offering confident cafe and pub food, complemented by an extensive cocktails list. We began with glasses of champagne and a sharing platter - a board of my favourite Italian antipasti. And so, we feasted on olives, cured meats and sunblushed tomatoes for around £16. This was followed on by juicy steak frites for just £9.95 and my guest’s hearty Salmon fillet on a Nicoise salad for £10.50. All washed down by copious and delicious mango mojitos for around £5. Sadly, we were left too full for one of the indulgent cheescakes or brownies on offer.
Sway's sharing platters are firm favourites with a crowd looking for something light before the dancing begins.
The Verdict
Sway Bar offers the full night out package, all in one buzzing venue. Whether you’re a group of friends seeking an evening of wild abandon, a couple after a fruity cocktail and London pub meal or an international soul, seeking a taste of a friendlier, upbeat London venue, Sway Bar will suit you.
