Get us in your inbox

Search

Bar Termini

  • Bars and pubs
  • Soho
  • price 2 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
  1. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  2. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  3. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  4. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  5. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  6. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
  7. Andy Parsons
    Andy Parsons
Advertising

Time Out says

5 out of 5 stars

Quality coffee and cocktails on Soho's lively main drag.

Bar Termini does two things: coffee and cocktails. Coffee is overseen by Marco Arrigo, head of quality for Illy, who has probably trained more baristas – and trained them rigorously – than anyone else in the UK. Cocktails are supervised by Tony Conigliaro, the alco-alchemist behind 69 Colebrooke Row and Zetter Town House, among others. Teams don’t get much dreamier than this.

So, have they found a supersized venue to match the giant reputation? Ha ha ha. There’s room for 25, and seated service only, though you may stand if you order a single ‘espresso al bar’ for Italian-style drinking-and-running.

The coffee list has just four brews, all of them classics but with a twist. The alcohol list has three negronis, four ‘aperitivi’, three wines, one bottled beer. There is also a small food offering: baked goods from L’Anima in Shoreditch by day, charcuterie and cheese in the evening.

I went for coffee at lunchtime. The ‘espresso al tavola’ (they’ll explain what it means) was unusual but flawless. On my second visit later the same day, I had a marsala martini: Beefeater gin, sweet marsala, dry vermouth, almond bitters served straight-up. A model of simplicity and balance, this is one of the best cocktails in London.

The tiny Bar Termini is likely to become a hot ticket; booking is advised but walk-ins are welcomed. The dream team has dreamt up a vision of a bar. 

Written by Richard Ehrlich

Details

Address:
7 Old Compton Street
London
W1D 5JE
Transport:
Tube: Leicester Square or Tottenham Court Road
Do you own this business?
Sign in & claim business
Advertising
You may also like
You may also like
Bestselling Time Out offers