please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Re-opened, but not as a pub. The freehold is owned by Shaftesbury Covent Garden Ltd.
It is leased and now operated by Tortelli Ltd as a tapas bar and restaurant, having opened late Jan 2011.
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As of yesterday (12th September 2010) its still boarded up and gone.
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Closed and emptied out.
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Can not agree with the last reviewer. Went to the pub yesterday, first time, with a group of friends, the barman (I assume landlord) was very welcoming gave us great service and so did the other staff. The beer was good, Youngs Special, Pride, Landlord, Brains S.A. and a Christmas special, we tasted all of them and they were all fine. The food was only average but overall it was a good friendly pub and we all agreed (8 of us) that we would use it again.
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Do not go to this pub! The owner is vile (and violent to innocent stragers), most bar staff incredibly rude and atmosphere awful. Worst experience I have ever had in a pub.
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Characterful old-style London pub still looks as it probably did 50 years ago. Decent beer range. Very quiet when we visited
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Characterful old-style London pub still looks as it probably did 50 years ago. Decent beer range. Very quiet when we visited
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They had Brain�s Skull Attack; London Pride; Adnam�s Bitter, TT Landlord; and Jenning�s Cumberland ale on. I had the Brain�s SA, which I had never tried before, and thought it was excellent. I believe that this is a Mitchell & Butler pub - they had a second clip on each of the handpumps with a few tasting notes on the ale in question, plus the price and ABV. I think this is a M&B trademark. All the beers were under �3, with the Pride being a very competitive �2.60.
This is a small, one-room pub. There�s a rather nice bar back, retaining what looks like the original mirrors in place advertising Skol Lager; Long Life; and Double Diamond. Luckily these crimes against brewing are no longer available! There�s an attractive fireplace at the back alongside the bar; a TV screen of course, but not on when I visited on Wednesday lunchtime; plus a fruit machine and games machine. Furniture is a combination of high stools/tables, banquettes and normal tables and chairs.
There were only a handful of tourists in, so was fairly empty. The service was friendly enough, and they do decent ale at decent prices. It�s a comfortable enough pub, and gets the thumbs up from me.
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Worst bar staff ever!
We visited the pub as we thought it looked nice but the Bar maids all looked miserable and when we tried to order a round of drinks we were greeted with much moaning that they had been working really long hours and we could not have any more drinks. We were the only ones in the bar which was filthy, the bar was sticky and dirty. We were then told we were to rowdy!
It was a horrible place with the worst staff i have ever come across and no Bar manager anywhere.
It was a blot on a fantastic night.
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Had a pint of The Guest Ale "Sly Fox" did not enjoy as it tasted of Pepper. London Pride Ok. Nice Atmosphere
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Not too bad atmosphere-wise for a Nicholson's pub, but I do wish they wouldn't put silly tea-light candles on the small tables without some sort protection... Should have complained when I got given a rather cloudy pint of something unmemorable, but it tasted marginally better than it looked. Won't rush back.
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This is a decent little boozer with two very friendly and experienced barmaids.
Landlord, Black Sheep, Doombar and Beartown Brewery�s Bear Ass were all available along with the usual lagers, Guinness and Strongbow. I can now say that I went to the opera and supped Bear Ass and enjoyed it � Oh dear!
There are 2 old TVs and the pub was very quiet so I must have timed it just right to miss the show crowds.
This is now one of my pubs of choice for this area.
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Visited this pub yesterday Afternoon as part of "THE THEATRELAND" Dick Whittington Beer Trail. Five cask Conditioned Ales on offer Landlord, 6X, Sharps Doombar,& Bee Zone, But I went for London Pride, which was a good choice. Small area outside on the pavement to sit and People watch. Very quie quick service. Had one of the "Specialist Sausages in Roll" Dissapointing! it was advertised as Pork and Red Onion, but instead of the onion being mixed in the sausage all I got was two small pork sausages with half a slice of raw red onion on the top. Might as well advertised it as a Hot Dog. Got a few chips with it (that were not advertised on the menu) for �5.50. Still the beer was only �2.50 a pint. would go back.
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I love this pub. A group of us from work reguarly visit and the staff are always great. They give out free samples of theier sausages about 6pm on a Friday and we end up buying a mixed plate of all the different flavours every time- try the steak and black pepper. A decent South african sauv Blanc for a tenner also!
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Went to the OT with colleagues on a Thursday lunchtime. Pleasant interior. Being a sensible fella and it being a work day I ordered a shandy. This seemed to be about 60% lemonade. We ordered food and despite the place being very quiet it took around 45 minutes for them to provide basic pub dishes like fish & chips. Slow service with no explanations despite us asking for progress reports.
Would just about go again for a quick pint but not if I needed a quick bite.
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Nice place, if you get in at a decent time
Fast service, and a good 'it machine' to have a stab at
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Friendly, charming hostelry with good beer. Busy but service was good and this pub seems to work rather well. Bustling atmosphere in a prime location.
Down-to-earth despite its location and a pub worth a re-visit.
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Situated next to the Duchess Theatre (currently showcasing the excellent 'Buddy' musical), The Opera Tavern is a small, comfortable and altogether charming Nicholson's establishment serving the thirsty pre-show hoards. Up the steep little staircase, you'll also find a little restaurant area for those who like to dine in intimate surroundings. Amongst the usual keg offerings, well conditioned tasty ales were available, Landlord and Black Sheep amongst the more familiar London Pride. Al in all, this is a nice little pub and perfect for a drink before being suitably entertained next door. I somehow doubt last Friday (18th Jan) will end up being my sole visit.
HTM69 - 23 Jan 2008 13:47 |
Went to this and Nell of Old Drury next door. Both Landlords were outside entertaining the punters, they seemed very funny and like laurel and hardy. My co worker thought the baldy one was hunky.Anyway both pubs were actually great with really good beer and top staff, you can tell they're privately owned! We ate in the opera and ended the night in nell of old drury as its open later.We will be back!
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I work on Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych theatre just round the corner and we always go in the Opera after the show. The beer (especially the ale) is well kept and there are constantly new guest beers on. We have got to know the staff well and they are all friendly and helpful. The food upstairs is also of a very high quality as pub grub goes. We used to drink in the Nell (2 doors up) but since other shows have opened in the area it has got so busy with theatre hangers-on and lovey-types that we tried the Opera. To be honest I definitely prefer it. Highly recommended.
anonymous - 8 Jul 2007 00:21 |
Cosy little pub, knowledgeable landlord, friendly enough place.
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Cosy and friendly - a well managed and pub with welcoming, dedicated staff.
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Nice enough pub, for tourists and theatre goers, as such you would never ever ever come here for a night out unless you were planning on a theatre visit.
However, as a pre-show drinking venue I would recommend it completely.
TheGP - 27 Dec 2006 13:44 |
Small one room Nicholsons pub. Lacking in atmosphere and character due to stripping out of all original features then decorating with a bland cream and burgundy.
Five cask ales, including Coach House Squires Gold, which was off. Replaced without any problems by Wychwood XXX in OK condition.
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Looks better from the outside. Really nice barmaid, friendly to allcomers. My pint of Old Hooky was past its best but the toilets were suitably rubbish, and I liked that.
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Small and welcoming pub, with friendly staff. Abbot was selling well. A bit more of a "local" atmosphere than other nearby pubs - highly recommended. Note the splendid bar back advertising the long lost ( thankfully ) Double Diamond fizz of the 70's.
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My only visit to this pub was on a trip to London when i was about 17. There was an ageing THESpian at the bar dressed in wide brimmed hat, cloak and ebony cane. Might have to visit again soon and see if he's still there... he looked to be heading for a long session.
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A Small 1 room pub opposite the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (so expect it to be packed pre-theatre). The original pub was built in 1846 but the present building dates from 1879 and retains some of the original features - etched windows, fireplace etc. There are a few pictures and mirrors on the walls but not enough to make the place feel cluttered. 3 Ales on handpump including a guest beer. Reasonably priced (the Hobgoblin was �2.50). The food looked fine and was, again, reasonably priced. 2 TV's. Very friendly staff (the barman checked to see how my Hobgoblin was and advised me of the other beers they are expecting in the forseeable future). In an area teeming with pubs it is the small details like the peronal touch that makes pubs stand out and the Opera Tavern will definitely be getting a few more visits from me.
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i was very drunk here once...its all a blur but i had a good time..met a tramp or philosopher...
me:whats your name?
tramp person: "ahhh good question
but the question is, who am i?"
yep a trip to the twilight zone moment.
fun
kisskisskiss - 21 Jul 2003 17:31 |
Rather small but cosy pub, at least when I've been there the music was at a volume you can actually hear it. Lots of things to eat! The staff is friendly and the heating works very good. People of all ages. I like this pub ;)
Valer - 9 Apr 2003 22:36 |
Run down mismanaged pub but strangely staff enthusiastic and talkative (probably too so) but refreshingly different to usuall East Europeans in rest of Covent Garden
arturo_morales - 20 Mar 2003 09:09 |
One to avoid - very run down, not very appealing.
Ferg - 13 Nov 2002 14:41 |
