Dovetail Bar Leicester Square is a cocktail-focused venue in the heart of London’s West End, known for creative drinks, a distinctive balcony and its position overlooking Leicester Square. Located at 5–6 Leicester Square, on the first-floor balcony of Empire Casino, it offers a convenient setting for drinks before a West End show, a date night or an evening with friends. Its central location also makes it easy to combine a visit with nearby restaurants, cinemas and other attractions.
What makes Dovetail particularly interesting is its approach to familiar cocktails. Rather than relying only on standard classics, the bar creates reworked versions with different flavours and ingredients while still keeping recognisable drinks on the menu. With its late opening hours, balcony overlooking the square and cocktail-led atmosphere, it has become a notable option for people looking for drinks in this part of London. This guide covers the location, menu, prices, reviews, dress code, Covent Garden venue and what visitors should know before going.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Location
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square is located at 5–6 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7NA, on the first-floor balcony of Empire Casino. The venue is in a particularly central part of the West End, surrounded by theatres, restaurants, cinemas and nightlife. This makes the bar practical for visitors planning drinks before a show, meeting friends after dinner or spending an evening around Leicester Square. Its location is one of its main practical advantages because it can easily fit into a wider West End itinerary.
The venue’s balcony overlooks Leicester Square and is described by Dovetail as having the feel of a Parisian boulevard. There is also an indoor area, giving visitors an alternative when they prefer to sit away from the outdoor space. The listed opening hours are Monday to Wednesday from 5pm to 2am, Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 4am, Saturday from 2:30pm to 4am and Sunday from 5pm to 4am. Dovetail is an over-18 venue and operates Challenge 25, so suitable identification may be required.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Menu
The menu focuses on creative interpretations of familiar cocktails, making it suitable for visitors who enjoy recognisable drinks with a different twist. Current Leicester Square menu options include the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Cuba Libre, while the wider Dovetail cocktail offering includes drinks such as the Pornstar Martini, Espresso Martini, Dirty Martini, Hemingway Daiquiri and Bramble. This gives customers a mixture of spirit-led, fruity, sweet and classic-style options rather than a menu built around one particular cocktail style.
Choosing a drink can therefore depend on personal taste. The Old Fashioned is a more spirit-forward option, while the Margarita provides a fruitier direction. The Espresso Martini is also available in caffeinated or decaffeinated versions, which gives customers some flexibility. For anyone unfamiliar with the menu, asking the bar team for a recommendation based on preferred flavours can be a useful way to choose between the different styles.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Prices
The current Leicester Square menu lists several signature cocktails at £14, including the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Cuba Libre. A discretionary 12.5% service charge is also added, so the final bill will be higher than the menu price of the drinks alone. Prices can change, so visitors should check the latest menu when planning a visit.
For a simple example, two £14 cocktails would come to £28 before the discretionary service charge, while four would total £56 before that charge. The overall cost will depend on the drinks selected and anything else ordered during the visit. Because the venue is in central Leicester Square and offers table service and a balcony setting, visitors should consider the complete experience rather than looking only at the individual cocktail price.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Reviews
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square currently has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 37 reviews on Tripadvisor. Recent reviews commonly mention the cocktails, atmosphere, service and location, with some visitors specifically highlighting the balcony overlooking Leicester Square. Reviews also describe the drinks as creative and the staff as friendly and knowledgeable. As with any review score, the rating represents the experiences of people who have posted reviews and can change as new reviews are added.
The individual reviews also provide useful context beyond the headline rating. Some visitors have praised the Margarita, Old Fashioned and other cocktails, while others have commented positively on the atmosphere and service. One review raised a concern about cigar smoking on the terrace, but the management response clarified that cigars are not permitted and that Dovetail does not advertise the terrace as a smoking area. This is a good example of why reading individual reviews can provide more practical information than relying on a rating alone.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Dress Code
Dovetail’s official information confirms that the Leicester Square venue is over 18s only and operates a Challenge 25 policy. Visitors who may appear under 25 can therefore be asked to provide valid identification. This is particularly important for younger adults planning an evening in the West End, as having suitable ID can prevent problems at entry.
The venue does not publish an extensive formal clothing list on its main Leicester Square information. For that reason, it is safer not to present a detailed dress-code rule that the bar itself has not confirmed. A neat, smart-casual approach is a practical choice for a cocktail bar in central London, particularly if the visit forms part of a theatre or evening-out plan. Anyone with a specific concern about clothing or entry requirements can check directly with the venue before visiting.
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square vs Covent Garden
Dovetail Leicester Square and Dovetail Covent Garden are part of the same bar brand, but they are separate venues in different parts of central London. The Leicester Square location is at 5–6 Leicester Square and features its balcony overlooking the square. The Covent Garden venue is now at 3 Henrietta Street, having moved from its previous Russell Street location.
The two locations can therefore suit different London itineraries. Leicester Square makes sense for visitors spending time around the West End, cinemas and theatres, while the Covent Garden venue is better positioned for people exploring the Piazza and surrounding area. Both focus on cocktails and creative takes on familiar drinks, but the setting and immediate surroundings are different. Choosing between them mainly depends on which part of central London is already part of the day’s plans.
Is Dovetail Bar Leicester Square Worth Visiting?
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square can be a useful option for visitors looking for creative cocktails in a central West End setting. Its location directly on Leicester Square, balcony, late opening hours and cocktail-focused menu make it particularly suited to pre-theatre drinks, date nights, celebrations or meeting friends in central London. Current Tripadvisor reviews also frequently mention the drinks, atmosphere and service, providing additional insight into the experience reported by recent visitors.
There are a few practical points to consider before going. Cocktail prices are currently around £14 for several signature drinks, a discretionary 12.5% service charge applies, the venue is strictly over 18 and balcony seating may depend on availability. Visitors should also check the latest opening hours and menu because venue information can change. For someone specifically looking for a cocktail-focused venue with a Leicester Square setting, these details provide a clear picture of what to expect before visiting.
(FAQs)
What is Dovetail Bar Leicester Square known for?
Dovetail is known for creative cocktails, reworked classics, its balcony overlooking Leicester Square and its central West End location. Reviews also frequently mention the drinks, atmosphere and service.
How much do cocktails cost at Dovetail Bar Leicester Square?
Several signature cocktails on the current Leicester Square menu are priced at £14, including the Old Fashioned, Margarita and Cuba Libre. A discretionary 12.5% service charge is added to the bill.
Does Dovetail Bar Leicester Square have a dress code?
The venue confirms that it is over 18s only and operates Challenge 25. It does not publish a detailed formal dress-code list on its main Leicester Square information, so smart-casual clothing is a practical choice.
Is Dovetail Leicester Square the same as the Covent Garden bar?
They are venues from the same Dovetail brand but are located separately. Leicester Square is at 5–6 Leicester Square, while the Covent Garden venue is at 3 Henrietta Street.
What are the opening hours for Dovetail Bar Leicester Square?
The listed hours are Monday to Wednesday 5pm–2am, Thursday and Friday 5pm–4am, Saturday 2:30pm–4am and Sunday 5pm–4am. Because opening times can change, checking the latest venue information before travelling is advisable.
Conclusion
Dovetail Bar Leicester Square combines a central West End location with a cocktail-focused menu and a balcony overlooking Leicester Square. Its drinks include creative versions of familiar classics, while the setting makes it convenient for pre-theatre drinks, date nights, celebrations or an evening with friends. Current reviews also highlight the cocktails, service and atmosphere, although individual experiences naturally vary.
For practical planning, several current signature cocktails are priced at £14, with a discretionary 12.5% service charge, and the venue is strictly over 18 with Challenge 25 in operation. The listed opening hours also extend late into the evening on several days. Overall, readers searching specifically for a cocktail bar in Leicester Square can use these details to decide whether the venue fits their plans, budget and preferred atmosphere before visiting.
