You might take a glass of wine into the bath with you, but would you sink your Soave inside a public lavatory? At WC Bloomsbury, which opens this November, you're invited to do exactly that.
Located on Lamb's Conduit Street, WC Bloomsbury is a 120-year-old, Grade II listed Victorian water closet on Historic England's 'at risk' buildings register that has been transformed into a sophisticated subterranean wine and charcuterie bar. It's the brainchild of the team that brought us WC Clapham — a similar venture south of the river that opened back in 2014.
The new bar is the result of a painstaking restoration project, which saw original wooden stalls turned into swish booths and even involved upholstering porcelain urinals to create extra seating. Part of the original tiling has been preserved, as have the building's marble floors.
Here you're invited to nibble on cheese, charcuterie and a selection of homemade pickles and chutneys — washed down with a cocktail or a glass from WC Bloomsbury's ever-changing wine list — under the benign gaze of local philanthropist Thomas Coram, whose portrait hangs behind the bar.
There' no word yet on exactly which date WC Bloomsbury will launch, so watch this space. If you're desperate to get tipsy in a toilet right now, though, check out our round-up of former loos you can drink in.
