Darn. It’s closed down now. Will there never be anywhere cute and fun to drink in Charing Cross? Where will have my illicit affairs?

Big fan of this wine bar. It’s a great alternative when Gordon’s is full to the brim. But it can be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes you can come here and it’s full of people, other times it’s empty and you feel like the staff are listening in on your conversation.

The first time I went in with a friend I was being fussy about the wine. There was something not quite right about it. No questions asked they changed the bottle, to one that was actually more expensive. We offered to pay the extra but they insisted it was fine. Brownie points to them. They also desevre them for doing a nice half bottle of wine. Nice half bottles are very difficult to find.

I like the little coves you can find in here. It’s a perfect place for romantic chit chat. Or hiding from people if you’re having an illicit affiar.

It would also be quite nice for lunch meetings too. But that doesn’t sound nearly as exciting.

I can't believe I've not been to this pub before. Only a stone's throw away from Charing Cross station and within easy walking distance of Embankment and Leicester Square Tubes, this is a non-crowded yet atmospheric pub which should be far more crowded with tourists.

There are very few pubs in the West End which have sawdust on the floor but you won't find the accompanying spit. You will find a very large wine list, an airy and characterful basement and a great hide-away from all of the Picture & Pianos and All Bar One chain pubs nearby.

Saying that Tappit Hen is part of a small chain of Davy's Wine Bars, but still manages to feel cosy. Apparently they have reasonably regular pub quizzes too.

Highlight of the pub for me (even though there was an extensive wine list) was a tasty well-priced organic beer. Sadly I drank too many of them (and wine) to remember the name!