Oriole, the award-winning cocktail bar, has made a grand return with a new venue at The Yards, Covent Garden. This marks the second permanent iteration of the popular bar, which first opened in Smithfield Market in 2015. The new Oriole combines a plush basement bar with an innovative restaurant offering, drawing on the success of the team’s research and development pop-up, PRELUDE by Oriole.
The venue occupies a stylish basement space reminiscent of the original speakeasy, where guests can enjoy signature cocktails alongside a new á la cartè food menu crafted by chef director Gustavo Giallonardo. This menu, which is available for the first time outside of PRELUDE by Oriole, showcases Giallonardo’s Argentinian roots and celebrates the diverse fusion cuisines of Latin America. Diners can expect dishes inspired by Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese), Argentine-Italian, and regional Mexican traditions. Highlights include Hamachi tiradito with kimchi aguachile, Chicken with soft arepa, mushrooms, and mole velouté, and Coconut tres leches with fig leaf sauce and coconut sorbet.
Complementing the food, Bar Director Samet Ali has created a cocktail menu inspired by Oriole’s namesake, the oriole bird, which symbolises exploration and adventure. The drinks menu features unique serves that draw on global imbibing traditions, with offerings such as the Finca Filadelfia, a complex take on an espresso martini, and the Rio Verde, a tequila punch designed for sharing. These new concoctions sit alongside some of Oriole’s classic cocktails, bringing a familiar touch to the new space.
As with the original Oriole, live jazz, cabaret, and world music provide a vibrant soundtrack to the dining experience, with guests able to book these performances alongside a set three-course menu. Front of House Director Jacopo Correnti leads the team, ensuring that visitors receive the personalised, attentive service for which Oriole is known.
The new location also introduces Oriole’s first in-house bar lab, where the team experiments with cocktail development. Using advanced tools like a centrifuge and an Ultrasonic Homogeniser, they craft clarified seasonal juices and syrups and infuse ingredients to create smooth, vivid flavours. The lab’s cutting-edge techniques are set to elevate Oriole’s already renowned cocktail offerings.
Upstairs, the Bamboo Bar offers a different experience, with a menu focused on aperitivo-style cocktails, including the Odyssey and Chincha Alta, both available on draught. This ground-floor bar pays homage to the classic ‘Bamboo’ aperitif and provides a lighter, more casual atmosphere with a selection of bar snacks such as Octopus Karaage and a Salt Beef Steamed Bun.
The two-story venue, designed in collaboration with Daytrip Studio, aims to evoke the charm of the original Oriole. The basement bar features woven bamboo ceiling panels and a signature tropical wall mural, creating an intimate environment. In contrast, the ground-floor Bamboo Bar is influenced by classic design, featuring cherry red and timber banquettes surrounding a centrepiece bar made from Brazilian quartzite.
Edmund Weil, Director of Speakeasy Entertainment, expressed his excitement about bringing Oriole back to life in a more prominent location. “Rosie and I could not be more excited to bring Oriole back to life in London’s historic entertainment hub. We built the brand into a true destination in an obscure location in Smithfield Market, and now have the opportunity to bring the concept in its new form to a wider audience within The Yards, Covent Garden,” Weil commented.
Jamie Thipthorpe, Director at CBRE on behalf of Longmartin Properties Ltd, highlighted the significance of Oriole’s opening for The Yards. “The signing of Oriole marks a key milestone for The Yards, transforming the destination into a late-night proposition with quality and authenticity at its core,” Thipthorpe stated.
Oriole is now welcoming guests at its new location, 7-9 Slingsby Place, with the restaurant and bar open from Wednesday to Saturday.
