When looking for somewhere to go for drinks, a public loo might not be the first place that comes to mind. However, that is exactly where you'll find WC Bloomsbury, based on Guildford Place. After the success of WC Clapham, which originally opened in 2014, the company have found this old Victorian water closet in Central London and beautifully converted it into a stylish wine bar. WC Bloomsbury also offers a selection of nibbles and sharing plates to go with your drinks, making it not only a great spot to go for a couple of glasses of wine but a fantastic option for a dinner with a difference in Central London.
Once you've entered WC Bloomsbury via stairs which take you underground, you wouldn't necessarily know that you were in what used to be a public convenience, due to the impressive renovation. The cosy yet stylish space features a mixture of banquette seating and booths, while the bar is dimly lit from above. The odd feature from the 120-year-old Grade II-listed water closet has been preserved however, with wooden panels from the original stalls in place and seating made from upholstered former urinals. Owners Andy Bell and Jayke Mangion have also managed to keep the original marble floor and wall tiling.
When it comes to the food offering at WC Bloomsbury, you can expect predominantly small sharing plates with cheese and cured meats at the forefront of the menu accompanied by homemade chutneys and pickles. In terms on the drinks, there are a huge range of different wines from across the globe available by both the glass and bottle. There's no need to worry if wine's not your thing however, as there are a variety cocktails also available at WC Bloomsbury. This is the place to go for drinks if you're bored of the standard London bar.