The Harp, Covent Garden

Upstairs at The Harp

One of my favourite pubs in central London, The Harp is a hugely popular (and award-winning) drinking establishment. But what I love most about it is the little room upstairs, which not many punters appear to know about (or they just prefer to prop up the bar downstairs).

Stepping into the upstairs seating area is a bit like stepping into your granny's living room, with its pale pink walls, quaint pictures and flowery curtains. It really is a fantastic cosy spot in what is normally such a heaving corner of the city, and the best thing is that it's not trying to be 'kitsch', it just is in the nicest possible way.

The Harp is well-known for its selection of real ales, but another top tip is to try their bargainous sausages - for about three quid you can buy a banger served in a fresh baguette and sizzled to perfection before your eyes behind the bar (but not on Fridays).

Cosy rating: 7/10 - on a recent visit I noticed that they've replaced some of the comfy chairs upstairs with stools in order to squeeze in more seats, but the window table is still there, from where you can spy on the Covent Garden swarms as if in your own front room.
Secret rating: 4/10 - everyone loves The Harp, but if you want to impress someone with your London 'knowledge', enter via the back entrance, accessible from what must be one of the city's narrowest alleyways.
Best bits: The super-speedy service behind the bar, no matter how busy they are.
Worst bits: Upstairs can get a little hot during the warmer months, and the loos are TINY.