Reverend JW Simpson, Fitzrovia’s Hidden Gem Bar

Nightlife in Fitzrovia is something else, and while others finish eating at amazing places like Lima, with their great Peruvian food, or finish visiting Oxford Street’s hidden gems, you would do well to pop by Reverend JW Simpson.

This secret bar, nestled under Goodge Street, close to both Warren Street and Tottenham Court Road, is one of the latest places I’ve been given to try out.

I’ve included many pictures in this review, so you can really see what the Reverend JW Simpson is about – the retro grunge decor makes it a really interesting place to visit.

Reverend JW Simpson, Fitzrovia’s Hidden Gem Bar

Let me start by saying that I do not drink alcohol; as such, the menu I have included later in this review is only the non-alcoholic part.

Let me also add that the non-alcoholic cocktails at Reverend JW Simpson are something of another world, with flavors you never encounter when you ask for a mocktail at bars.

The innovative cocktail recipes at this Fitzrovia hidden gem are not something I would have expected, far from it, but this combined with the ‘old French flat’ decor makes Reverend JW Simpson a truly unusual place to visit.

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About Reverend JW Simpson Fitzrovia

Here’s what Reverend JW Simpson says about the place:

Welcome to Reverend JW Simpson, a cosy cocktail bar in Fitzrovia with a quirky design, offering an insight into the life of the former inhabitant. Offering an entirely seated service and with a seasonal menu featuring a combination of incredible ingredients and inventive presentation, Reverend JW Simpson is the go-to spot for date night, as well as offering a perfect environment for catching up with friends.

Entering Reverend JW Simpson is a mission in itself.

I walked past the door twice before I actually understood there was no sign letting you know that the bar is located there.

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When my friend and I found the entrance, we were welcomed by a stained glass piece that echoes the name of the bar, something I found interesting and enticing as I love stained glass, usually found in secret and not so secret churches.

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Reverend JW Simpson Fitzrovia Review: The Atmosphere

The watchword for Reverend JW Simpson could be something along the lines of ‘organized chaos’.

The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and once you arrive down the stairs, you spot a mix of materials and fabrics that all make Reverend JW Simpson something of a friendly spot which also ends up being perfect for an intimate date.

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This is the kind of place where you go with friends to have a relaxed time at the end of the workday, and even if there were many people at the bar, my friend and I both felt that the noise level was significantly lower than in most bars and pubs of London.

Hence my thinking that if you’re planning a romantic date and are looking for hidden gems in London, this place is intimate enough that you will have a great time in my opinion.

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There are only two rooms at Reverend JW Simpson, both moderately-sized, and both with floral pieces scattered around, plush seats in the back room, and mirrors hanging off the walls.

The first room, kind of blue, faces the bars and houses a long table in the middle with single tables on the sides.

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The second room in the back, quite coral, feels even more intimate, almost posh, really.

There are candles lit on every single table at Reverend JW Simpson, which helps give an even cozier vibe to the already cozy bar – if you’ve been here before, you know I love scented candles and candles in general for this reason.

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Going to the toilet at Reverend JW Simpson is another mission, as they’re not downstairs but on the mezzanine floor, with the door hidden in the wall – a detail that made the bar even more interesting.

Everything feels quite instagrammable in this place, even the toilets which gave me a vibe of the Parisian metro – beautiful bathrooms for selfies, if you want my two cents.

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Reverend JW Simpson Fitzrovia Review: The Menu

The cocktail menu at Reverend JW Simpson is London-themed, and what I most loved there is the fact that every detail added to the place’s history.

I love historical places, I love old courtyards and secret streets, and I love when a place clearly answers a ‘why.

Talking to the owner, who was the only person working at the bar that evening helped us understand more about Reverend JW Simpson, and I felt there was something really magical about this place.

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Reverend JW Simpson Fitzrovia Review: What We Ordered

My friend and I ordered two non-alcoholic drinks at Reverend JW Simpson, one orange-based, and one apple-based.

Funnily, while you would expect a very sweet, also juicy type of cocktail when ordering a non-alcohol cocktail in a bar, both of these tasted almost like the real deal.

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I am always open to trying out new things, but I have to admit to always having had some trouble with the taste of orange.

I still wanted to try something really different and ordered the Garibaldi mocktail, which at first, I very much disliked.

However, as I kept drinking, new flavors seemed to roll out on my palate, with an overall good balance between acid, sweet and bitter.

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At first, I enjoyed my friend’s drink more; the Core Values mocktail, with an apple and muscovado cordial, ginger and Everleaf Mountain, already tasted much sweeter.

Just like my own drink, I could taste more and more flavors as I kept drinking, which almost felt like I was drinking a Harry Potter potion, really.

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Reverend JW Simpson Fitzrovia Review: Thoughts

Both the drinks we ordered at Reverend JW Simpson were utterly interesting, and you can really taste when work has been put into the recipes.

These very recipes at the Fitzrovia bar felt carefully-thought, and made me want to go back, especially since the menu seems to change quite often, with new recipes crafted on the go.

If you would like to also order the usual cocktails, it is also possible to ask the bartender as he’s very accommodating.

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All in all, the experience at Reverend JW Simpson was just really cool, with an atmosphere and recipes that are interesting enough they make you want to go back.

For someone like me, who would rather discover new cheap eats spots and bars, the mere fact I will be visiting again means everything.

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The decor in itself allows Reverend JW Simpson to have one of the most aesthetic interiors, with a sophisticated yet trendy atmosphere oozing from the torn wallpaper to the candlelit rooms.

Reverend JW Simpson, Fitzrovia’s Hidden Gem Bar

I’ve lately been given to try out quite a few bars, restaurants and cafes in Fitzrovia, which have led to a newfound love for the posh neighborhood.

I have always liked the Fitzrovia neighborhood, what with its independent shops, charity shops and instagrammable streets.

Tucked under Goodge Street, Reverend JW Simpson is a must visit place, especially if you’d like to surprise your other half with beautiful decor.

Until next time!

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