Old Tom's Bar, Square Mile

10-12 Leadenhall Market, EC3V 1LR

Leadenhall Market is a stunning covered market in the heart of the City of London which I'd somehow managed to ignore for five years until my recent first visit. There are a number of decent boozers in and around the market, not least the Lamb Tavern which claims to have origins dating back to 1780.

But underneath the Lamb lies a cosy little secret named Old Tom. Old Tom's Bar to be precise. This secret den is named after a legendary 19th century goose. This entrepreneurial gander managed to escape slaughter and survived until the grand old age of 38 thanks to the goodwill of the market's traders who fed him and let him roam around. That's my kind of goose, and, appropriately, this is very much my kind of establishment.

On our visit we'd only intended to swing by for a quick drink, but the sight of cheese and charcuterie being generously heaped on to platters behind the bar was too tempting to resist, so we settled in our armchairs for a delicious feast, washed down with some lovely wine.

I'm not in this area much, and when I have been I've always struggled to find somewhere up my street. Old Tom's Bar has most certainly filled that gap.

Cosy rating: 9/10 - gorgeous tiled walls reflect the twinkling candlelight and furniture is characterful and mis-matched.
Secret rating: 7/10 - two of us got a seat with no problem on a Thursday night when other nearby pubs were heaving.
Best bits: Fewer suits than many other local establishments, and very friendly service.
Worst bits: Drinks are a little on the pricey side, but you can't deny they have a classy and varied selection of craft beers and wine.

Oliver's Bar, Greenwich

9 Nevada street, Greenwich, SE10 9JL

There's no where else quite like Oliver's, that's a fact. It's 33% wine bar, 33% music venue and 33%....just completely random, and I love it.

The first time I went there (thanks Sian!) I couldn't believe this perfect, quirky place had been literally underneath my feet during all my previous Greenwich jaunts.

An evening at Oliver's usually goes like this: you grab a bottle of wine at the bar at the bottom of the stairs as you arrive, you squeeze round a cute candlelit table in the main room, you drink and you talk the night away...and before you know it you find yourself totally engrossed by some excellent, yet undeniably unique, performers.

Cosy rating: 9/10 - the picture above speaks for itself (and this is with extra lights on).
Secret rating: 9/10 - completely tucked away, down an alleyway and down some stairs. Yes, that's a double down - amazing.
Best bits: Oliver's is truly unique and cannot be categorised.
Worst bits: The candlelit room pictured above is distinctly cosier than the room the other side of the bar.

Karpo bar, King's Cross

23-27 Euston Road, NW1 2SD

Karpo bar is a relative newcomer to the King's Cross area, and if my first visit was anything to go by it has yet to draw in the crowds who will undoubtedly flock here in the future.

This underground bar is divided into two parts - the main bar area is all sleek, candlelit and luxurious, and the other space is down a step and is a separate area filled with little leather booths and cheerful photos of local people covering every inch of the walls, which is a nice touch. You can reserve this separate part of the bar for free during the week for gatherings and dos.

Above the bar on the ground floor is an excellent restaurant by the same name (in fact, both the bar and the restaurant are part of the Megaro hotel located in the same building). The food is a little on the pricey side, but it's a great spot for lunch, and their cakes - available to takeaway - are delicious and extremely reasonably priced. A special shout-out to their carrot cake - officially the best one I've ever tasted.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - not for rustic charm, but if you're looking for a dimly-lit atmospheric bar with a delicious dash of sophisticated opulence, then this is the place for you.
Secret rating: 8/10 - a hidden gem for the time being, but it's right opposite King's Cross Station on Euston Road (you can't miss it - the building with the bright mural façade, next to Barclays), and I can't imagine it will remain undiscovered for much longer.
Best bits: A great range of cocktails at around the £8 mark - not bad at all. They also have an entire menu dedicated to absinthe, if you're that way inclined!
Worst bits: They'll add 10% to your bill for table service, which of course isn't unusual.

Nell Gwynne Tavern, Covent Garden

1-2 Bull Inn Court, Strand, London, WC2R 0NP

I recently visited the Adelphi Theatre on the Strand where I was lucky enough to watch Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton perform in Sweeney Todd. During the interval we managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nell Gwynne to knock back a quick glass of plonk.

I can't think of a more apt place to spend 15 minutes mid-way through a Victorian horror story. Located just outside the theatre's stage door, entering this alleyway pub really feels as if you've stepped back in time.

Sadly you're unlikely to get a seat in here most nights as it is absolutely tiny, but I'd very much recommend an interval visit if you are at the Adelphi - much more character (and cheaper!) than the theatre's own bars.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - Dimly lit and full of olde-worlde paraphernalia.
Secret rating: 5/10 - I must have walked past this alleyway hundreds of times over the years, but never spotted the Nell Gwynne. Sadly, plenty of others have done, and even on a Tuesday night it doesn't take much for this pub to fill up.
Best bits: If you do go here during an interval look out for people dressed in black - chances are they are stage hands or musicians from the Adelphi who have also popped in for a quick interval drink, which also explains why groups dressed in black tend to get served first during this brief window.
Worst bits: The lavatories are located down an incredibly steep and narrow staircase.

Tapster, near St James's Park

3 Brewers Green, Buckingham Gate SW1H 0RH

Like many of the other Davy's wine bars in London (and more to feature on this blog soon), Tapster manages to feel rustic and warm despite being located underneath a rather unattractive office block.

This modest underground establishment isn't going to win any awards for uniqueness, but it is a reliable little drinking hole, with lots of little tables, some closed-off private dining areas and a wide range of wines to choose from.

I really like the Davy's chain, and like all of the Davy's bars I've visited so far, Tapster is a great place to kick back and relax after a long day.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - candles, roses, bare bricks and a very nice vibe.
Secret rating: 8/10 - I expect office workers in the area have this gem to themselves on most nights.
Best bits: If you have a Taste Card you get 50% off food for two people Monday - Friday.
Worst bits: A disappointingly small dessert menu.

Blackfriars Wine Bar, Southwark

80 Scoresby Street, London SE1 0XN

Blackfriars Wine Bar is a very pleasant establishment a stone's throw from Southwark tube station. Why I'd never been here before last week is a mystery that continue to baffles me.

Located in a railway arch at the end of a row of other arches, which house an eclectic mix of local businesses plying their trades, this unassuming bar ticks all the boxes - a nice outside seating area, plenty of tables indoors, a couple of tucked away banquettes and just generally a happy vibe.

We only stayed for a couple of drinks and some nibbles, but I could have quite easily stayed there all night.

Cosy rating: 5/10 - it lacks in the candles department but makes up for it with smiles and niceness.
Secret rating: 7/10 - plenty of seats available on a Thursday night but was by no means empty.
Best bits: Really friendly service and tasty sharing food platters to accompany your delicious plonk.
Worst bits: Some random interior design, but this only adds to its charm.

Joe Allen, Covent Garden

13 Exeter Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7DT

Who said big places can't be cosy? Well, perhaps no one did, but I'm certainly asserting the opposite with Joe Allen. It's a humongous, cavernous restaurant located entirely underground, and is one of those places you can always rely on for a happy, no-nonsense meal.

You enter via a conspicuous doorway on Exeter Street, and be prepared for a pleasant surprise once you've descended the staircase, for it really is much larger than you might have imagined.

With theatre posters covering every inch of the walls, you cannot escape the fact that you're in the heart of London's West End, and it's the perfect venue for a date.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - nicely lit, and despite the large space it still manages to feel intimate.
Secret rating: 8/10 - The first time I went there I was gobsmacked that I'd never heard of it before - definitely one of London's best kept secrets.
Best bits: A big range of set menu offers, so it won't break the bank.
Worst bits: Service is super speedy and efficient - great for a pre-theatre bite to eat, but not ideal if you're looking for a place to linger.

Image courtesy of J Mark Dodds.