Side Hustle
Covent Garden, London
Bar in London, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Bow Street Cocktail Authority
Why go
Side Hustle is a strong Covent Garden choice for a polished round before theatre, dinner, or a central London celebration. Recognition from Top 500 Bars and the Pinnacle Guide gives it credibility, while easy booking makes it more useful than hype-driven cocktail rooms when plans are late-moving.
About Side Hustle
Side Hustle is a London venue with a smart casual dress code and recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars, where it is listed at #79 for 2025, the Pinnacle Guide, where it holds 1 Pin for 2026. For planning, stay conservative: do not assume a specific menu format, seating setup, price range, service style, or food offer unless you have checked directly with the venue.
The practical case for Side Hustle is strongest when you want a recognised London venue and a smart casual setting. If the wider night includes other stops, Our full London bars guide is the better starting point; if it is only one part of the plan, pair it with Our full London restaurants guide or Our full London hotels guide.
Choose it for a recognised London venue, not an assumed format
Value here should be judged against the essentials: Side Hustle is in London, has a smart casual dress code, carries recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars and the Pinnacle Guide. Anything more specific, including exact pricing, food identity, seating arrangements, or service format, should be confirmed before you go.
Recognition gives Side Hustle more context than a generic listing, but the decision should remain practical. Choose it when those details match the brief. If you are comparing the mood with other named options, consider Side Hustle alongside Cache Cache, Common Decency, Eve Bar, Rules, or The Wild Monkey, while checking current details directly with each venue.
Know before you go
- Best fit: a smart casual London visit where recognition matters.
- Booking difficulty: Check directly with the venue before relying on availability.
- Location: London.
- Price call: Confirm current pricing directly.
- Group call: Confirm seating and booking details with the venue.
If this is part of a longer London search, keep the comparison broad and evidence-led. Side Hustle can be considered alongside Cache Cache, Common Decency, Eve Bar, Rules, The Wild Monkey, but do not assume that any one of them has the same format, price point, booking policy, or seating setup without checking current information.
Located inside
HotelNoMad LondonFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Location
- 28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW
- Website
- hilton.com/en/hotels/lonnmnd-nomad-london/dining/side-hustle
- Phone
- +44 20 3906 1600
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Side Hustle reads like a destination bar transplanted into a building with real civic presence: NoMad London has repurposed the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court, and the converted setting gives the space a classic, historic character. The programme’s specialist focus on agave spirits — and a global Top 500 ranking — elevates the bar beyond a hotel lobby watering hole into something more iconic and refinement-driven. The result is a composed, architecturally weighted drinking room where provenance and craft matter as much as the polished hotel context that contains it.
Best For
Side Hustle suits anyone looking for a purposeful night out in Covent Garden rather than casual tourist drinking. Its location on Bow Street makes it a natural stop before theatre performances along St Martin’s Lane and Long Acre, and the NoMad setting also fits date nights, after‑work drinks and small celebratory gatherings. The bar’s international recognition and focused agave programme attract discerning spirits lovers and hotel guests seeking a considered, destination-level experience close to the West End.
Ordering Tips
The bar’s editorial focus is agave spirits, so treat the list as the main event: ask bartenders about producer provenance and the difference between tequila and mezcal, since the programme emphasises sourcing and regional distinction. Request a tasting approach — small neat pours or a guided comparison — to appreciate variations in agave variety and production. For those who prefer cocktails, ask staff to point to agave‑forward serves that showcase specific producers rather than generic tequila substitutes; the bar’s standing suggests knowledgeable recommendations rather than rote mixes.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant yet intimate with low lighting, high ceilings, and a buzzing atmosphere that turns high-energy when busy.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Hotel Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Background Music
Signature Pours
- Detox Retox
- Oye Como Va
- Fresa y Cerveza
- Jo Meloni
- Ron Ponche
Planning details
Location
28 Bow St, London WC2E 7AW · Directions
hilton.com/en/hotels/lonnmnd-nomad-london/dining/side-hustle
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Common Decency, Notable alternative
- Cache Cache, Notable alternative
- The Wild Monkey, Notable alternative
- Eve Bar, Notable alternative
- Rules, Notable alternative
Bar context
How Side Hustle compares in London
Choose Side Hustle when Covent Garden convenience matters and the night needs a polished room without a difficult booking process. Common Decency is the better cross-shop if the group wants a more nightlife-led feel, while Side Hustle is the safer call for a date, client drink, or pre-theatre round where location does real work.
Cache Cache and The Wild Monkey make more sense when the priority is a more destination-style bar choice. Side Hustle wins on low-friction planning: easy booking, central positioning, a setting that suits celebrations without forcing the whole evening around the bar.
If the decision is atmosphere first, Eve Bar is the better alternative for a more tucked-away cocktail mood, while Rules is the stronger pick when old-London character is the point. Side Hustle is the practical middle ground: not the cheapest round, but a sensible value choice when convenience and occasion-readiness matter more than bargain pricing.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Side Hustle guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Side Hustle
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Side Hustle | London | Top 50 Cocktail Bars UK 2026 · #12Top 500 Bars 2026 · #792026 Pinnacle GuideCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Emerging BartenderCLASS Bar Awards 2026 Winners - Bar Food Menu of the Year |
| Common Decency | London | No published awards |
| Cache Cache | London | No published awards |
| The Wild Monkey | London | No published awards |
| Eve Bar | London | No published awards |
| Rules | London | No published awards |
How Side Hustle London compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Side Hustle have outdoor seating?
If outdoor seating matters, check directly with the venue before you go. Plan around the basics: Side Hustle is in London, has a smart casual dress code, has recognition including Top 500 Bars Best Bars #79 (2025) and Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin (2026).
Is Side Hustle good for groups?
If you are planning for more than a simple visit, check directly with Side Hustle for current booking and seating details. You can also compare it with other named options such as Rules or Common Decency, while confirming current arrangements with each venue.
What is Side Hustle known for?
Side Hustle is a London venue with a smart casual dress code and recognition from Top 500 Bars Best Bars #79 (2025) and Pinnacle Guide 1 Pin (2026).
