London Guide
Drinking
Covent Garden
1 Coal Hole 91 Strand, WC2; Charing Cross or Embankment tube 
020/7379 9883 Popular Edwardian pub next to The Savoy, which was once patronized – like many of the pubs in the area – by coal-heavers. Take a look up at the high wooden beams and stone friezes as you sip one of the fine ales on offer, or head to the cellar bar for wine. Decent pies, too (Fisherman's, Spinach and Brie). Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am– midnight, Sun noon–10.30pm
2 
Cross Keys 31 Endell St, WC2; Covent Garden tube 020/7836 5185 Stuffed with copper pots, brass instruments, paintings and other curios, this most welcoming of West End pubs attracts an appealing blend of older Covent Garden residents, young workers and tourists – you'll do well to find a seat. Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am–11pm, Sun noon–10.30pm
3 Gordon's 47 Villiers St, WC2; Charing Cross or Embankment tube 020/7930 1408 Cavernous, shabby, atmospheric wine bar specializing in ports, right next door to Charing Cross Station. The excellent and varied wine list, decent buffet food and genial atmosphere make this a favourite with local office workers, who spill outdoors in the summer. Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am–11pm, Sun noon–10pm
4 Lamb & Flag 33 Rose St, WC2; Leicester Square tube 020/7497 9504 Undeniably showing its age (more than 350 years old), this agreeably tatty yet much revered pub, tucked away down an alley between Garrick Street and Floral Street, was where John Dryden was attacked in 1679 after scurrilous verses had been written about one of Charles II's mistresses (by someone else as it turned out). Opening time: Mon– Sat 11am–11pm, Sun noon–10.30pm
5 The Salisbury 90 St Martin's Lane, WC2; Leicester Square tube 020/7836 5863 One of the most beautifully preserved Victorian pubs in the capital, with etched and engraved windows, bronze figures and a lincrusta ceiling. A wide and unusual range of ales, a happy clientele and unusually attentive staff add to the general joy of this place. Opening time: Mon– Fri 11am–11pm, Sat noon– midnight, Sun noon–10.30pm
6 English National Opera Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, WC2; Leicester Square or Charing Cross tube 0871/911 0200 
www.eno.org EnAll operas at the ENO are sung in English, the repertoire is more adventurous (and occasionally includes musicals), productions more experimental, and the cost far less (£16–80); day seats (£10–15), in the balcony, are also available to personal callers after 10am on the day of the performance; standbys (£10–30) go on sale three hours before a performance at for students, senior citizens, under 16s and the unemployed.
7 Royal Opera House Bow St, WC2; Covent Garden tube 020/7304 4000 www.roh.org.uk The ROH is one of the world's leading opera houses and puts on lavish productions of the standard opera repertoire. More innovative productions are staged in the Linbury Studio Theatre. Most tickets are expensive (£30–180), with just 67 day seats (at various prices) going on sale from 10am on the day of a performance; these are restricted to one per person, and you need to get there before 9am for popular shows. Student standby tickets (subject to availability) can be bought for £10 online. In summer, some performances are relayed live to screens in Covent Garden Piazza, Trafalgar Square and Canary Wharf. All operas are performed in the original language but are surtitled.
8 Donmar Warehouse Thomas Neal's, 41 Earlham St, WC2; Covent Garden tube 0870/060 6624 www.donmar-warehouse.com A small central performance space that's noted for new plays and top-quality reappraisals of the classics.