Reverend JW Simpson

Address: 32 Goodge Street, (btwn Charlotte & Whitfield Sts), London, W1T 2QJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 203 174 1155
Email: info@revjwsimpson.com
Website: view Reverend JW Simpson’s website

Door: Make reservation
Style: Cocktail bar
Food: Bar Snacks
Established: 2012

Reverend JW Simpson is a quirky lounge bar concealed beneath Goodge Street, owned by the same folk behind nearby Bourne & Hollingsworth. Its conceit is that the space was previously the home of a vicar, and it has been styled as if his reverend's abode has been cleared and stripped out. Clever touches include the 'bedroom' which is decorated with pink wallpaper, part-faded to depict where furniture stood against it, including a cross above the bed. The rest of the venue has this same chipped and faded look.

There's no sitting at the bar counter here: its two alter-like stations divided by a large structural column, so table service is the order of the day. Oh, and we should add that the toilets are hidden behind an unmarked panel which you push to open half way down the stair case.

We like the cleaver paper fortune teller cocktail menu - what are you in the mood for? "Paint the town red", after work elixir", "pre-dinner tipple" or "quiet catch up". We are less convinced by the house cocktails which we find low on booze and a little over generous on sugar. However, judging by our Daiquiri classic cocktails are brilliantly executed.

All in all, a good bar with an evidently working formula, good service and a gently buzzy but not too busy atmosphere.