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.

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.

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.

The Tiroler Hut, Bayswater

27 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, London, W2 4UA

Oh my, The Tiroler Hut is SUCH a random place. Located entirely underground, this Austrian-themed restaurant is, well, just a bit bonkers really, with waiters and waitresses decked out in traditional outfits and red and white checked material as far as the eye can see.

It's chirpy and welcoming in here, and you can pop in for a huge beer or a Jägerbomb at the bar, or make a night of it and devour some 'Gulasch' or 'Wienerschitzel' in the restaurant, followed by a yummy pastry. But whatever you do, you'll have a blast.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - Very low beamed ceilings - it is a cellar after all - and the walls are plastered with photos of celebrity visitors.
Secret rating: 5/10 - Tourists love it, so do book if you want to stay and eat. That said, the tourists do appear to be confused by the theme - I overheard a table of New Zealanders trying to decide between American and Russian...
Best bits: Hearty Austrian food and live music most nights - although I have yet to witness this I've heard rumours that it involves a cowbell.
Worst bits: The prices. Be warned, it's a fiver for a Dortmunder beer in here (or at least it was for us), and that wasn't even one of their renowned massive steins. Though, to be fair, it was a delicious pint, served in an ice-cold frosted glass tankard.

Le Garrick restaurant, Covent Garden

10-12 Garrick Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9BH

This restaurant is soooo cosy. Occupying a prime corner in Covent Garden, Le Garrick looks tiny from the outside with just a few tables squeezed into the ground floor dining area. Here you can sit, eat, drink and watch the world go by.

But it's downstairs where things get pretty special for we connoisseurs of cosiness, with bare bricks and intimate wooden tables, it really oozes glowy warmth.

The owners of Le Garrick - who have been at the helm for just over a year - actually met each other in this very restaurant when she was the manager and he was a regular customer. How lovely!

Cosy rating: 9/10 - candles everywhere, little alcoves in the basement - definitely a fabulous place to go for a date.
Secret rating: 6/10 - certainly not off the beaten track, this one, but underground feels like a world away.
Best bits: They currently accept TasteCard if there are just two of you dining, enabling you to get two meals for the price of one - very reasonable indeed.
Worst bits: Hmm, are there any? I guess without the discount it's not exactly cheap, but they offer set menus at certain times of day.

The Thomas Guy Club, London Bridge

Plenty more spots like these around every corner

My brother had been going on for ages about how great the Thomas Guy Club bar was on the Kings College campus, just round the corner from London Bridge, but I hadn't been there until tonight. Well, I can honestly say that I am now well and truly enamoured with this place.

Located in a vaulted basement, the bar has tons of seats, and also has a pool table, a telly room, a 'library' and a separate dining area (with loads of really cheap food options - £6.50 for a homemade burger for example).

Now, my brother works for the NHS, which is how he found out about it, but as far as I can make out anyone is allowed in here - you don't have to show any NHS / student ID to get in and it's accessible from Borough High St, but if anyone knows otherwise do feel free to correct me.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - loads of armchairs, sofas, beanbags, corners and bare bricks. Lower lighting would up the rating.

Secret rating: 11/10 - is this actually London's most undiscovered bar? No web presence whatsoever (other than the link above), it was 95% empty on a Thursday night.

Best bits: It's truly labyrinthine in here with loads of bare-bricked rooms, and you really have to make an effort to seek out where to buy a drink.

Worst bits: Very hard to find, so here are some directions: Upon leaving London Bridge station turn left onto Borough High Street. Go down the first alleyway on the left (it's the alleyway where the Old Kings Head pub is). Walk past the pub and directly in front of you is a doorway, which should have a sandwich board outside. Go down the stairs and you've arrived!

The Cork & Bottle, Leicester Square

The Cork & Bottle (image courtesy of HoosierSands)

I miss working in the West End, and The Cork & Bottle is one reason why. It's not unlike Gordon's wine bar on Villiers Street, but the trouble with Gordon's is that, despite its undeniable snugness, it gets so ridiculously busy and it's really hard to get a seat. So instead of highlighting Gordon's, for now I want to share the Cork & Bottle.

It's easy to miss this lovely wine bar, with the side streets of Leicester Square teeming with pizza joints and throbbing bars. But the C&B is a world away from these establishments, and is a great option if you're looking for a welcoming place for a relaxed drink or a nice spot for casual dining.

This is the kind of venue that you can keep up your sleeve for any occasion: dates, a pre/post-theatre bite to eat, after work drinks or lunch with the folks. Grab a table, treat yourself to a glass of bubbly and indulge in a plate loaded with delicious cheese. Lovely.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - It's underground, so plenty of bare bricks and lots of cave-like cubbyholes.
Secret rating: 7/10 - You can normally get a table, or a seat at the friendly bar, but they accept reservations most of the time so never does any harm to book.
Best bits: THE RAISED HAM AND CHEESE PIE. It's honestly one of the best, most mouth-watering slabs of honest food I've ever had the pleasure of eating.
Worst bits: West End prices, but don't let that put you off, it's worth every penny.