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Londonderry

Europe

United Kingdom

Nestled beneath the historic arches along Villiers Street between Charing Cross and Embankment Stations, Players Bar and Kitchen offers a quintessentially British pub experience infused with a vibrant live music scene. This hidden gem in Londonderry is renowned for its lively atmosphere, late-night entertainment, and a warm, inviting ambiance that beckons both locals and travelers alike. Whether you're seeking a cozy spot for a pre-theatre dinner or a lively venue to enjoy quality live performances, Players Bar and Kitchen delivers an authentic British lounge vibe with a touch of musical magic.

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The Players Bar,
Villiers St

Hidden under the arches along Villiers St between Charing Cross and Embankment Stations.

Food Times: Mon-Fri 12:00-22:00
                        Sat         18:00-22:00

Live music:   Mon-Sat 23:00-02:30

Closed:          Sun

This place is fantastic, It's one of those hidden away gems which has kinda remained a secret. 

Live music by way of a pianist, plays popular tunes in the performers own inimitable style. Occasionally usually at the weekend a singer will accompany.

Late drinks all week, Quality live music and free to get in...

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This place is a bit of a hidden gem despite it being packed on a Friday night.
It's perfect for when the pub is closed but you aren't ready to go home yet.

Friday night sees Alex on the piano. He will play anything you request and knows all the mainstream songs. You are encouraged to sing along with him - just don't put your drinks on the piano!

It's free entry and the place is open until 3am. Try to get there before 10.30pm otherwise you'll have to queue.

I've always had a good night there.

The only downside is that the website does not say who is playing each night.

Alex is there every Friday night at 11pm.

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This is a great bar hidden away under the arches in Charing X.

It is frequented by the people behind the West End shows/musicals! So lots of  boisterous personalities! 

It has a white grand piano where someone belts out great classic tunes that all the crowd can sing along to.
It has a late licence to suit the show performers and crew.

A great spot for random nights where you can find yourself chatting to the Lion King wardrobe crew in between singing along to Elton John tunes being played on the piano!
Recommend!

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Yey for finding hidden memories!! I went here with some friends years ago and just found it through the wonders of facebook photos :0)

A pretty random bar linked to a theatre so it was full of artsy types, a white grand piano and a guy who would play anything you requested. Definitely worth a trip :0)

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Villiers street isn't short of your after work water holes.  Everywhere you turn there's always a bunch of people standing outside having a drink which adds to the enjoyable hustle of a Friday night in London.  I love it but sometimes you want a place that's a bit more chilled where you can sit and actually talk to the person you're with.  

When I first came here, I thought it was a little strange to go to a theatre bar when you're not seeing a show.  I first started coming here after panto rehearsals (this was years back!) and thought it was quite fitting.  You really wouldn't know to come here for a drink unless someone brought you there before or heard about it - which keeps it nice and quite most of the time and there's always seats!  

They've got a decent collection of wine, beer on tap and spirits.  If you go there often enough, it's worth asking to get the players membership card (free to sign up) which gives you a 10% discount.  

If you're there later in the evenings, it turns into a piano bar and changes the atmosphere completely.

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We came here for dinner because we were seeing a show around the corner at the Playhouse Theatre and the reviews and menu looked good. So I booked us a table. When I arrived, they had a giant sign on the table stating it was reserved for me, so that was a nice touch. They have free wifi, but neither of our phones wanted to connect very easily.

Foodwise, I had a chicken liver parfait to start and sausages with a bean stew and chips for a main. The parfait was delicious, and I worked really hard to dig as much as possible out of the tiny glass jar they served it in. The sausages were slightly dry, but really tasty, and the stew it was served with was incredibly tasty. We opted to skip dessert.

I really liked the venue. The wine menu was pretty average. The only problem was the service. We barely got any attention from our server. To be fair, she was the only one there, but you'd think they would have attempted to do a better job with having people there for when it gets busy. Also, it took about ten minutes for her to bring us the bill after we asked for it. Once we got it, we just left money on the table and left, because trying to pay any other way was likely to take awhile and we had a show to get to!

If I needed a quick meal before a show and had plenty of time, I'd come back. If I had more time, I'd probably try for a more leisurely meal someplace else.

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Ready to take a fun retro trip to the 70's and 80's with an exceptionally good piano player/singer and an energetic, entertainting crowd that knows all the words to songs of that era - even though they were probably born after them? This is the place - and it's worth visiting regardless of your age.

A Brit friend and I were headed to another place on Villers on a Tues. (wish I could remember the name) for a late night catch-up - only to discover that despite the fact it was packed... it threw everyone out at 11pm, because it didn't have a license for past that time.  So...

We ended up here. In a lounge that is straight out of the 70's (swivel round chairs in a dark room, anyone?) The place was packed - moslty with 20-early 30 somethings that stay out that late on a weekday. The young piano player was exceptionally good (and I've heard a few) . He barely took a pause, running through a set without stop of good old,sing-along-with worthy classics. 

The drink options and service was good too... but go here for sheer entertainment value.

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The Players Bar and Kitchen is the restaurant attached to the Charing Cross Theatre. It has a really lovely menu and always seems to be buzzing with people. This can be a little confusing if you're there to see a show and believe everyone else in the restaurant to be seeing the show too yet they're relaxing as the bell for the theatre goes off! We had the chicken which was cooked to perfection and had some wonderful flavours. It came with bubble and squeak which was delicious and there was plenty of sauce to soak it all up with. It did take half an hour to come out and left us rushing for the theatre in order to get inside before the doors closed at the start of the performance, but we got there just in time. 

The service was okay, they could have kept us informed about how long the food was going to take as it was clear we were getting anxious. There were a lot of people that had clearly just come in for a drink and were generally served as a priority to those who were dining in the restaurant. Overall though, the menu was great and the food was delicious. I feel like they should have some small sides that can be ordered and out within ten minutes for those on a tight schedule. Something simple like potatos and grilled vegetables or something like that could go a long way! Overall though, it was great.

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Wouldn't go there again. We went for an after dinner drink and after we bought our bottle and walked towards a table, we were shouted at across the bar about how we couldn't sit there because it was for people eating food (not a sign or indication of this - plus how did she know we weren't going to eat?? - we weren't asked!) - so everyone looked at us standing there with our wine which was just embarrassing. Even though there was 3 spare tables that remained spare for the whole time we were there - we had to stand at the bar for ages. The bar lady was less than happy with the world, kept throwing bottles loudly into the bin, and was complaining to her colleague about something quite loudly. Professionalism in this place is non existent. There are plenty of other places nearby that would have been better. We only chose it because it looked a bit quieter.

Players Bar and Kitchen: Hidden London Lounge & Live Music Near Charing Cross

Nestled beneath the historic arches on Villiers Street, Players Bar and Kitchen offers an inviting escape from London's bustling city life. This cozy venue combines a lively British lounge atmosphere with a rich history of live music and exceptional drinks.

Players Bar and Kitchen boasts a diverse menu that caters to all tastes. From hearty British classics to contemporary dishes, each plate is prepared with care. Indulge in starters like sharing platters and crispy bites, mains featuring succulent roasts and innovative options, and delightful desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Start your culinary journey with options like flavorful chicken liver parfait, perfect for sharing, or crispy bites that set the tone for a memorable dining experience.

Main courses include hearty roasts, flavorful sausages with bean stews, and other contemporary British classics, each crafted to satisfy and delight.

Finish your meal with delectable desserts that include options like classic puddings and sweet treats, ensuring a perfect ending to your dining experience.

A curated selection of beers, wines, and spirits complements your meal. Enjoy a refreshing pint, a glass of fine wine, or a creative cocktail for an elevated experience.

Keep an eye out for special seasonal menus, live music nights, and unique events that make each visit to Players Bar and Kitchen memorable.

Experience vibrant dining at Players Bar and Kitchen in London’s Embankment. Enjoy delicious food in a lively setting. Book your table now for unforgettable moments.

players bar and kitchen

a vibrant and hidden gem in londonderry

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