Short Review: Quiet. Nostalgic. Expensive. Snooty. Very British. My favorite! Long Review: One of my favorite places to come to in Covent Garden. Not just because I appreciate that it's the oldest restaurant in London (I love the history), or that it's a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle of nearby Piccadilly Circus and Chinatown, but because the food and drinks are still very good. The staff comes off as stuffy and snooty, but I think that's to weed out any undesirables. They are absolutely welcoming and fantastic. I walked in with a hoodie and sneakers and no reservation and still was seated upstairs at the bar with a glass of champagne and snacks. I needed to take some time to rest my feet from a full day of walking London. If you're a Downton Abbey buff, you'll recognize this as the restaurant where Edith and Bertie first connected. It's just as cool in real life as it is on the small screen. I'd recommend you come in for drinks in the upstairs bar, or make your reservations well in advance to have the film and true experience. read more

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Very Edwardian feel to London's oldest restaurant. A private entrance is still visible for Lily Langtry and King Edward VII used to meet in private & Charles Dickens used to pass as a boy , and enjoyed the snells wafting up. And of course cld afford to eat there, after fame followed. I eat here every time I visit , and you simply can't go wrong ! I love the Dover sole & a Pimms cup & trifle for desert. However If wild game is more what ur looking for they have pheasant and wild foul. Sourced just for Rules, from the country. And as far as London prices go , for the quality and unique dinning rooms on 3 floors , I think they moved the bar & lounge to the 3rd floor of this narrow restaurant. Close to the city , so you will be seated next to barristers and MP members, as they love rules also- very old school British institution. read more

The oldest restaurant in London has the absolutely worst food in London. I can't believe how bad it was! Most of what we ordered was uneatable. The only reason it's getting 1 star is because the oysters were good. read more

Rules Cocktail Bar is beautiful! It's basically an indoor garden. They did an amazing job with the ambiance. My friends and I walked over after eating dinner nearby and fell in love the second we walked into the cocktail bar (on the second floor above the restaurant). They had a great cocktail menu and I went with a raspberry whiskey cocktail. It came with a lot of crushed ice on top but I enjoyed it overall. Rules was the perfect ending to our London trip! read more

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Alright, I guess I'm outing myself as being boring, but I really dislike hip & trendy places where it's all about seeing and been seen. This place, Rules Cocktailbar, is one of the least pretentious places I've come alon in a long time. In fact, it feels like this place kind of got stuck at the beginning of this century...with it's formal and old-fashioned wait staff, the antiquated decoration and the absence of any kind of music. I've been here a couple times now, and both times I especially enjoyed the fact that this place is quiet and that you can have a wonderfully intimate conversation without having to shout at each other. (Try that at the bar of the W Hotel!) Plus, the waiters here are super well-trained, very forthcoming and extremely polite. Yes, they've definitely undergone some good schooling and having worked in the 5-star luxury business for a long time, I appreciate this immensely. read more

I've been contemplating this review for the past two or three weeks, since the first time I made it to Rules' cocktail bar and I've come to a conclusion: this is, in my mind, the paragon of a London cocktail bar. Places like The Nightjar, The Connaught, and 69 Colebrooke Row may have great names in the scene, but all of them pale in comparison to the ideal experience that this lounge offers for me. The combination of classic, elegant, timeless ambiance coupled with an utter lack of a pretension, rounded out by the necessary exquisite cocktail program makes this first-floor institute of imbibition exceptional. Any bar that makes liberal use of ingredients like Chartreuse and Galliano is likely to be a hit with me, but I've rarely (if ever) encountered the likes of barrel-aged cachaça or wormwood bitters. An education in drink lore and obscure alcoholic products is just a bonus byproduct of a visit here - an addictive element far stronger than the booze itself to an enthusiast of my ilk. It does give me pause, however, that Brian, the spirits savant who started this venture three years ago, has just departed to work on another project, which does beg the question of if/how Rules will change under the guiding hand of another. I'm more than willing to continue patronising this establishment to see how it evolves. read more

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This restaurant is just fine, but I was expecting more. Nothing we ate particularly stood out and the service was very, very slow.

A quintessential British restaurant experience in London. Formal and relaxed at the same time. Cocktails are superb. A must for those visiting the world's greatest city. read more

Fabulous atmospheric bar with sumptuous decor. Worth seeing if you enjoy history or Downton Abbey. read more

Rules - The bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Empty out your pockets and head over to Rules. Your pockets will be lighter but you will feel a whole lot classier for doing it. This swanky place is quite formal (the tenders are wearing suits, after all) but they don't mind if your dressed smart casual (or is it casual smart? Oh I don't remember how it goes). Classically made cocktails and charming chit chat. Come for the atmosphere. read more

Rules - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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I came into the cocktail bar waiting for my dinner reservation. There was a mix of regulars and out-of-towners, and the bartender engaged me in wonderful conversation about things to see while I was in London as well as his own time he spent in my home state of Florida. I was interested in trying a gin cocktail (I mean, it's England right?), and he whipped up an aviation and another wonderful concoction for me to try. The atmosphere, quality of drinks, and service make this place definitely worth a visit. read more

Rules - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

I could see myself having a 5 star experience here. 4 stars for now, until I return... Rules is a great little semi-hidden spot with a very intimate, comfortable yet upscale feel. Unmarked door with a very dressed up but very friendly doorman. Had the Tec 9, really interesting and unique flavors. Delicious frothy top, strong espresso taste but different somehow without any distinct tequila flavor. Their bartenders really know their stuff. Comfy chairs and low lighting (but not too low) add to the atmosphere. Mixed nuts with your drink. In addition to the "short list" of specialty cocktails the waitress assured me they also make "classic cocktails". Good wine and spirits menu, nice selection of single malts. Definitely excited to return! read more

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A 4 for decor and 2 for cocktails. Because of the decor and ambience, I'd return for a drink that they don't make. The service dressed smart, but was underwhelming in its attentiveness. read more

Rules - A (very watered down) Penicillin cocktail. Nice ambience though. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Oh my god - this is the oldest restaurant in London and really one of the best. You had better like meat! An incredible menu, excellent service and an atmosphere that is bar-none, quintessential London. read more

Just what I needed, a place where I could have drinks with friends and conversation. Lots of egg whites based cocktails, a favorite of mine. I believe I ordered the clover club. Service was good as well. Would love to come back here for a drink some time. read more

I dropped by here on Saturday to grab a cocktail with a few other folks. I ordered the sazerac. It was good, a little bit less in terms of volume for what I was used to and for what it cost. I also got to try the old fashioned which was good as well. If you're in the mood for classic cocktails, I recommend it, just be aware that it is on the pricier side. read more

Don't go to this cocktail bar. Don't wander around Soho for an hour attempting to force your 5-strong group into packed, inferior joints filled with raucous businessmen, tipsy Sloanes and haughty barstaff before giving up and heading to the Strand on the off-chance that Rules might have a space. Don't huddle under the creaky awning to avoid the December drizzle and peer longingly into the ancient restaurant's warm, inviting interior. Don't take the secret staircase next door and pass into a wood-panelled haven of ye olde English charm, bedecked with ageless paintings, padded armchairs, velvet sofas and gently alive with charming waiters who attend your every whim without the slightest ounce of contempt or arrogance. Don't partake of an exquisite cocktail, expertly mixed at the bar, poured with perfect precision into a pre-iced glass before your very eyes, garnished appropriately, and left to linger on its sterling silver coaster as the aromas gently tickle your nose. Don't balk at the £14 prices. (Ok, do that). Don't take a sip and suddenly appreciate why such a ransom is fully justified. Don't spend the entire evening nursing a single drink without once being made to feel as if you are wasting everybody's time and space upon this paltry planet. Don't do any of this. Because if you do, it won't be nearly so special. Nobody should discover the secret. I only want it for myself. Go away. read more

Rules - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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I went to Rules for a networking event that was held in their 1st floor cocktail bar, although we were lucky enough to be shown around the venue including the 2 private dining rooms and a glimpse of their remarkable restaurant. I love this place! I cannot believe I haven't been before. On a night when Covent Garden was absolutely heaving, the cocktail bar was a relative haven of tranquility, as they limit the space to strictly 30 guests at any one time. Any other bar in the area would pack them in, but Rules have elected to make this a luxurious spot to meet up with a friend or simply enjoy a drink in a comfortable space. The private dining spaces are also a great find in this location, although for smaller groups only as even the larger of these can seat only 20-22 people. The costs are very reasonable, depending on your needs, and the gleaming woods, sumptuous red furnishings and glistening silver centerpieces create a feeling of traditional comfort, even as the historical but often quirky items on the wall add a touch of humour. Natasha Vickers and her team can take care of any private dining requests. The wine was sublime, the canapes appealing - I especially recommend the mini crab quiche - and the service was personal and attentive. The main restaurant is simply stunning, and the menu filled with traditionally English dishes. It's not for folk on a budget, but if you want to have a special meal with a special someone, or meet up for drinks and yet be able to find a seat, keep this one in mind. You won't be disappointed. read more

Just to make this totally transparent, I am reviewing the cocktail bar upstairs at Rules, officially the oldest restaurant in London (opened in 1798 in case you were wondering). Accessed up a narrow stairs to the right of the restaurant entrance, this is such a wonderful place that I am a little loathed to tell everyone about it and fill it with more people, but I really must share the love. The cocktail bar upstairs doesn't do a great job of publicising it seems, as it is very rarely packed and there is always place to sit down with friends. The decor echos the downstairs restaurant pretty well, i.e. oldy worldy and a little like your grandmothers house... But hey, you don't come to a cocktail bar for the cut and colour of the drapes do you? Well, I don't, I go here for the drinks! In a word: Incredible It is on an 'invitation only' basis that you are allowed to sit at the bar, seats there are always reserved, but what that means is that they are reserved for whomever the barman deems both worthy and presentable to share that intimate space with him - I have been invited to sit there a number of times and I strongly advise you to try your luck as the experience is definitely heightened when you get a chance to look at how these liquid masterpieces are stitched together. Oh, and that doesn't mean you need to be dressed to the nines to get in, but 'presentable' is a bare minimum. I won't even bother going into detail of the menu, if you can't decide what you'd like, just explain in a few words the kinds of spirits and tastes you do and don't like and the barman will bring you something you would probably not have chosen, but it will be one that you will enjoy immeasurably. The show that is put on when making these cocktails is less of a wanky Tom Cruise 'throw things over my shoulder and catch it in my crotch' style, but more of Flight Lt, Colin Blythe 'I'll concentrate so hard on getting this perfect that I'm willing to sacrifice my eyesight' approach. The subtle hand twists, the orange peel swipes, the lacing of a highball with strong alcohol before filling it with the desired mix is all part of a fantastic dance that you'll never get tired of watching (mainly because you then get to taste!) The bar manager at the higher end of middle age is called Brian, worked there for many a year and a splendid gentleman and perfect host. If he's not there to serve you, have no fear, he has a small number of bar tenders that are members of his own 'magic circle' and are all privy to his mixological secrets - you won't be disappointed. read more

Came here for a pre dinner drink with my wife. The ambiance is a bit supercilious, but it makes it a fun experience. The cocktail lounge is warmly lit with dark red velvet seating, pairings if fox hunts on the wall, polished warm wood bar. The cocktails themselves are great. I had an bourbon drink called the big easy which was great. My wife had the spring punch which was a champagne swizzle fruit cocktail. Very nice as well. read more

Warning, if you visit this hidden away bar you will be transported back in time - which is amazing! From the moment you make your way up the carpeted stairs you get a sense that you are heading towards the Victorian era and once you actually enter the room - wow! Elegant, relaxed and plush red seating is the theme here, coupled with the great table service, this place is certainly the place to be for those wanting to escape the loud bars of London. They have 10 cocktails on their menu but the mixologists will also make traditional cocktails too. The cocktails cost about £14, but this place is worth checking out if you want something a bit different. read more

Rules - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Allow me to be the contrarian voice concerning the Rules. The Rules is not for everyone. Before you enter the cocktail bar, you need to deal with the antiquated doorman whose look of utter contempt upon me and my friend entering the bar certainly did not set me at ease. It was a simple question, really. I wanted to assure I was at the right place because the Rules Cocktail Bar is actually separated from the restaurant, unmarked, and requires you to kind of "know" it's there. To those who call this classy and elegant, I would offer this is the very definition of pretentious. McKayla is not impressed, and neither am I. What is more impressive is the beauty of the actual lounge on the second floor. The seats are lush and comfortable, the decor classic and heavy without being gaudy or showy. The drink menu is for the most part minimalist and focuses on quality liquors and rather classic preparations. If you are looking for a more modern take on cocktails, this is not the bar for you. Maybe try ECC although I have a hard time recommending that experience to anyone. The crowd assembled here generally skews towards the 30-40 range. This probably should not be too surprising given the decor, the pretentious vibe of the place, and the relative expense of the drinks. The Rules really reminded me of the Gibson back home in DC except that the execution of drinks at the Rules is superior. However, there is unnecessary attitude and an overrated cocktail menu (the cocktails at Dishoom and Zenna are superior, and the former isn't even a cocktail bar) which unfortunately create some resemblance of a mirror image. Meatloaf was wrong. Sometimes, 2 out of 3 really is bad. read more

It's official. I am old After a beautiful afternoon tea at the Lanesborough Hotel with the ladies, we decided to pop into Covent Garden for a quick drink. We walked to Porterhouse but once inside it smelt like beer and sweat (the football was on) and was far too crowded. We walked back out. We walked into Jewel across the road but the music was so loud and thumpy we couldn't hear ourselves think and the clientele just seemed so young and dolled up. We walked back out. Third time lucky, we walked along to Rules and enquired about seating in the cocktail bar upstairs. Yes, of course they could accommodate us, please go on up... ! JB shouting "Hi Nan!" as we ascended the stairs to the cocktail bar really did sum up the decor - like being in your grandma's house. That is if your grandma were a rich, British aristocratic type. Being London's oldest restaurant (I'm unsure about the bar), they had really hammed up the Diamond Jubilee theme with Union Jack cushions featuring the British bulldog, jubilee flags and banners and royal-inspired cocktails. We didn't buy into it and opted instead for a lovely bottle of white before settling into the plush chairs and enjoying the 'front room' ambience. Oh it was lovely - quiet and civilised. So yes, I am old! But am I bovvered? Not one jot! read more

This place could easily have fallen into the 2 star category. The prices are high (£13.50 minimum for a signature cocktail), the entrance is hidden, there's a dressed up dude guarding the door; all elements of a douchey night out. However, instead of taking itself too seriously this place rises above it and provides excellent service with an excellent product creating an excellent experience. The dressed up doorman was super friendly and welcoming. The hostess was equally warm and inviting. Our service, though a tad slow, was friendly and helpful. The drink came out in a glass the size of a small bucket (I almost needed two hands to hold it). The room felt like an 'old money' posh living room, super comfortable and elegant but not overdone or trying too hard. I could easily have felt overcharged for my night out (especially since a service charge was added to our bill) but instead I left in good spirits and feeling charmed by the whole experience. Although this isn't an 'after work cocktail' type place it is a 'special occasion cocktail' place and if I ever need to have one of those I know where I'll be going. read more

My husband and I visited Rules on a Sunday evening. Unlike prior reviews, the doorman was quite pleasant and even cracked a few jokes as he swiped his "hotel key card" against the car reader on the door to let us into the upstairs cocktail bar. I must note that it was kind of strange to be greeted by an official looking doorman to enter a bar, however. Once inside, we sat at a high top table near the bar. We had good service, however, there were only two other tables seated in the bar and I felt the turnaround for drinks was VERY slow. I can't imagine what the turnaround time would be if the place had been at capacity. This is somewhat expected in any cocktail bar where great care is taken to making drinks but somewhat annoying at the same time. I think it is safe to say that the other patrons were tourists as they were dressed in trainers (aka tennis shoes) and clothing which would allow them to be comfortable whilst running around the city all day long. The decor is very old fashioned but don't let that put you off because the cocktails are fancy and tasty! And the cocktails probably have a fancy price but I wouldn't know because we ordered off menu and I didn't get a chance to see our bill. One thing I do know is that I could sit in Rules all day long sipping down their cocktails but I'd probably have to declare bankruptcy thereafter. Mmmm. read more

Oh Rules, how quintessentially British you are... This is supposedly the oldest restaurant in England, and that doesn't surprise me one bit. Rules is so British that I bet the Queen herself feels insecure walking in here. As others mention, there's the cocktail bar up the stairs and then there's the stuffy restaurant below. I've been to both and had a grand ol' British time. The doorman looks like he should be at Harrods and is sure to do a once over to make sure you don't look like a peasant upon strolling up to the place. If you make it past him, you're greeted by a maitre'd who isn't as stuffy & full of himself as you'd expect. The cocktail lounge upstairs serves traditional cocktails in fancy crystal and charges you a proper fortune to imbibe one, but it is, as others have pointed out, sort of a blast from the past as you easily feel transported to a time when you could see proper English gents in top hats smoking & sipping on something fancy. Dinner is a rather formal affair and the lengthy menu offers no shortage of traditional English cuisine, specifically game meats that most North Americans have never even seen on a menu. Hell, they've even got a disclaimer on their menu that warns patrons that some game & fowl may contain trace amounts of bullets, so be careful! That was cool... Fortunately for me, my mains didn't contain any bullets and I was able to just savor it all. I've eaten here on a few occasions with work colleagues and enjoyed myself each time. Although I can't remember now what I ate while there, and I don't recall ever walking out being completely blown away by the food, the experience itself is something I believe any visitor to London should indulge in. It's pricey, it's old, it's stuffy, but it's got British charm like no other restaurant in town and that makes it well worth it, at least once. Just be sure you do yourself a favor and make a reservation well in advance, as walk-ins are literally unheard of here. read more

Not Colin Fields, but certainly a solid cocktail. Yes, most certainly. Enjoyed Sipsmith's small batch gin, stirred with a splash of vermouth and a generous twist. Nicely done read more

Finally a bar with no music, excellent cocktails and the right mix of English style coziness and informality. I'll be back!

Wonderful atmosphere, great service, friendly clientele. I got a wonderful recommendation from the bartender and made instant friends with a Dutch couple sitting at the bar. Would go back. My cocktail was made with precision and expertise. read more

Classic cocktails and classic cocktail bars are back in fashion so why not head to one of the London's oldest restaurants for a throwback experience. Located upstairs above the famous restaurant, the cocktail bar has more of the same dark paneled, country estate library decor to it with suited waiters and attentive service. The space itself is bit small and can get busy later on, but can be quite nice early afternoon for catch up drinks with a friend. Elegant and comfortable, with a bar area as well as table seating, it is well suited for relaxed cold winter nights. The bartender does know his stuff and prepared a classic martini with pride and perfection. All very British indeed. read more

Lovely respite from the world, great cocktails, friendly, interesting and measured bartender... Great place for relaxing, drinking and chatting with 1 or two friends of similar motivations.. Wild bar its not... read more

Excellent service. Very polite staff. Fantastic cocktails. I really loved this place. It was really a lovely night and i will always keep it on my list when traveling to London. read more

Ok DO NOT GO HERE. So overpriced for a bar with no music at all - just a stark, overly wanky wannabe vibe with one dimensional, poorly balanced cocktails in boring glassware. For the prices you would expect so much more. Pay an extra £3 per cocktail and go to the Artesian - it's worth the price. My Tonight, Josephine was a watery passion fruit mess. The best thing about this place was the nice large hand cut ice in my husbands drink - which also tasted like one ingredient . This is not what you should judge the London cocktail scene by. Terrible. read more