I wish I wouldn't review this place because I don't want more/other people to find out about it and ruin the experience ... but goddamn they deserve 5 stars. This place had been on my list for a while now and I finally managed to go over the weekend. And it didn't disappoint ... Freud Café is awesome for a few reasons: - The Cocktails: a massive list is displayed behind the bar so it takes you a while to go through them. They're good .. really good .. and the price is ridiculously reasonable and affordable as well (around £7 for one). The bartenders know their game .. despite the place being quite full, they managed to get the order and make them quickly. - The Music: around 8-9 they turned up the volume and good house and minimal was blasting the place, yet still quiet enough to have a conversation. - The Venue: a hidden industrial basement with some artworks on the wall and quite an alternative crowd. Have I just found my new favourite bar? For this place to be in the city centre where it's either full of pubs or tourist places, is amazing. read more

Place was okay. Not my pick though. Went with a friend and ended up meeting some acquaintances. The drinks are WAY too sugary here. And I like sweet drinks but they used too much carbonation and even cane sugar in the cocktails as fillers. The wine was too sweet as well. We had 2 wine glasses break at our table. Made me think that the wine glasses they provided were super cheap. Friendly crowd. But one of the waitstaff was super rude to one of our acquaintances (granted he did have enough to drink). Even so, the way it was handled was extremely unprofessional. Needless to say, I will not be going back. Much better bars to go to in London. read more

o9.o6.14 Did I tell you how much I wanted to visit London? No, it's not able the drinking but how beautiful this place could be. Not to mention how there are so many artsy people around the city, even a bar can be as artsy as it gets! This bar is just so cute and cozy! It's small but full of laughter. It's not a fancy place to be around, but if you want a casual drinking date with your friends, you should give this place a try. I just love it. :) read more

Freud Café - I like their ice cubes. - Lounges Near Me - London, XGL

With central London changing at a breathtaking space it is so refreshing to find Freud's is still Freud's. Somewhere between my last visit (ages ago) and now they expanded from the famous cellar bar to what used to be an interiors shop above. The main bar downstairs still looks just the same as I remembered it, and gets just as packed making a trip to the ladies quite a challenge. They only have a limited cocktail list upstairs but there's nothing they can't mix in the main bar. The mojito was a bit disappointing though. According to their website Freud has been around since 1986 and I hope it will still be here the next time I pass. read more

Freud Café - Lounges Near Me - London, XGL

Cool spot! Relaxed atmosphere & clientele here. The music was cool & overall this place had a hip feeling with no fuss

Popped into Freud on a Saturday night at around half six on a very sunny London day and the place was still full! It is very well hidden and has a real DIY feel to the whole place. The cocktails are what people come for, and they are pretty damn good. This isn't a place for 'refined' cocktails however, you won't see any fancy garnishes or slimy bartenders practicing their 'flair' - and it's all the better for it. Cocktails are very very very reasonable for Central London. £6 for a mojito - sign me up. On my visit I tried a Boris Tea - cherry vodka, lychee, grand marnier and some other stuff. It was bloody delicious and a steal at £6.50. As I left with the hubby in tow to go and see Priscilla at the theatre (I know - no stereotypes here) the effects started to hit. These are potent drinks so pace yourself. Unless of course you want to get smashed, and let's face it, it would be easy to do at Freud. What struck me most about this bar was the diversity of the clientele. Never have I seen metal rockers stand side by side with city types and some ladies who could easily have been my mum's age! But this democratic atmosphere is what makes the bar a little special. I would've given the place 5 stars but the loos let them down, as did the overall look and feel of the place. The art work on the walls is a little pants to be fair, and the whole place has a little bit of a gloomy gothic feel perhaps. Nevertheless, a great place to start your evening. Honest people, honest drinks and most importantly honest prices. Bang! read more

Freud Café - Lounges Near Me - London, XGL

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The most important thing to do when visiting FREVD is to make a mental note of how to find it again! I've been hunting around for it for weeks after my friend (who's now in Ecuador) first took me for the best Mojito I've had in Soho. I recently found it again and I'm hoping that will be the end of getting lost down the side streets of Soho because FREVD is just too good to loose! Once you come down the metal stairs at the side of the street, you'll find yourself in an intimate, narrow bar, with a relaxed yet cool atmosphere. It's completely devoid of any 'scene' and pretty much anything goes, but you do get the feeling that everyone feels like this is their little unknown, underground gem. The concrete walls, hung with their latest art exhibition, keep an under-the-streets vibe and the easy going crowd sit about on the stairs when all the tables have filled up. They have a good menu of beers and I think the cocktails are constantly good. They like to put a little twist on most, such as the Fallen Angel, a take on the better known White Russian, but made with Frangelico, kahlua, cacoa, baileys and milk. I always have an Espresso Martini (or 5) and although this isn't on the board I've never been told I can't have it and last time I went the bar man even asked if he could substitute the vodka for brandy to see if I liked it. The Mojito's are always a safe bet, with plenty of fresh mint and their choice of brown sugar. It's great on a Sunday evening when everywhere else is closed. It's perfect for having a good catch up with a friend as the mood is very chilled out (they were playing ambient reggae last Sunday) so you can totally relax whilst you knock back the cocktails. read more

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Strong and a wide range of cocktails. And MUCH better prices than the overrated Bar Termini around the corner. Neg? The music is way too loud so even though the setup has lots of places to seat, you have to yell to hear each other talk. Also, avoid sitting near the entrance as it REEKS like piss. The men's loo is right by there as it turns out. read more

Came here to have a drunk time in London and omg, thank you Yelp, you helped make my London trip fun and memorable! This place makes FANTASTIC cocktails and the prices are actually decent considering the locale. They have an impressive drink menu and the execution is spot-on: I wouldn't have believed that I was in the UK with the strawberry mojito I was drinking! I also enjoyed the Freud lemonade - my best friend loved the Cheeky Monkey. We couldn't stop drinking because there are so many cocktails to try. As Lizzie G noted, the bar staff is actually pretty cute. Mmm, another reason why this place scores some stars. I'd be hitting this joint up every week if I lived in London. Wish I could find a place exactly like this where I'm at! read more

Freud Café - Lounges Near Me - London, XGL

I followed a friend of a friend + her friend here and I wouldn't have known it even existed if I tried to find it on my own. You have to go down this iron stairwell to this lil number and it's so adorable. Small but cozy. Just hang around the stoop or the stairwell in the back until a table opens up if it's crowded. What a hidden treasure! They have a huuuge chalkboard with all their special concoctions; with a symbol at the end showing whether the crazy name is a burr mixed drink blahblahblah. Bartenders werent the friendliest but wow, the drinks were sooooo good! It's been awhile since I preferred them girly drinks but these were so delicious! Freud is known for their cocktails so load em up; theyve got the art down! read more

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Sigmund Freud would definitely be proud of this namesake bar. Freud is best known for his theories of the unconscious mind and the defense mechanism of repression, and I'll be the first to say that while you are unconsciously downing dangerously large and potent cocktails you will lose that repressed feeling immediately, if not sooner. He's also known for curing psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst, and I must say, after ongoing dialogue between myself and the hottie bartender, my psychopathic tendencies are definitely at bay. (Helped by the lack of repression, surely through my unconscious inebriation. Gosh this Freud guy was a smarty!) Freud is also renowned for his redefinition of sexual desire as the primary motivational energy of human life, the results of which I'll leave up to your imagination. But the sweltering underground atmosphere aided by flirtatious Cuban music certainly set the mood. I would consider this one of the most romantic spots in central London, simply because of the mystique of the venue. While this small underground bar might have trouble fitting the ids, egos, super-egos of a larger group, it is certainly as legendary among locals as Sigmund himself and it may in fact be Shaftesbury's last hidden local gem. The necessary research alone to find the establishment would bring a proud papa tear to Siggy's eye. Find the bar, grab a drink, and let the psychoanalysis begin! read more

As a New Yorker studying in London during the summer of 2007, one of my favorite nights of the trip was spent at Freud. First of all, I appreciated that it wasn't in the least bit a tourist trap kind of hang out - I preferred to avoid such a fate. When in a foreign country, I try very hard to be as innocuous/cool a visitor as possible, especially when I'm in an establishment I think is sweet. This is probably due to the fact that as a New Yorker I am aware of how trying it can be to enjoy a drink when tourists come barging into your favorite local watering holes. The cocktails were strong, and I don't remember what I had, but strong is always going to be a winner in my book. God bless the English - not to butter you guys up, but y'all know how to drink. Service was also pretty snappy in keeping us liquored up. For New Yorkers, Freud is kind of LES/Williamsburg in terms of vibe/crowd/music. It's a fairly unassuming spot, and once you walk on down the notoriously slippery stairs as the London Yelpers have already stated, you're in a smallish, unpretentious dungeon devoted to the consumption of alcohol. The music was good, and although I don't recall any dancing whatsoever (there wasn't really room for that), I definitely saw some head grooving. It was really quite crowded as it's not the largest basement you'll find, but towards the back it opened up a little. In terms of the crowd, the people were pretty friendly and we struck up a lot of conversations (this was probably due to the fact that my group of friends were 6 or so very attractive ladies - some things need no translation over the pond). Everybody was in a great mood and seemed to be having a terrific time. While my friends and I started the night thinking we'd bar hop a bit, we were having a good drunken time at Freud and stayed there till it was time to start the long night bus ride back to our flats - how we made it, I'll never know. But yeah, if I'm ever back in Londontown and in the mood for some subterranean drinkin', I'm hitting up Freud*. *Not to mention I'll be hitting it up if I'm poor - adding to my night at Freud was finding £20 laying around on the floor. I will expect such welcoming treatment each and every time I grace this fine establishment. Make it happen bro! read more

The cocktails are AMAZING....boris tea is by far the best, well it comes in a pint glass what more can you ask for?I've been in love with this bar for many a year now. A great place for afterwork drinks...good luck getting a table on a friday/ Sat, one for the locals that the tourists haven't discovered yet..hurray!! Toilets are a bit dodge however! ps. the barmen have great hair?! read more

This little hidden cafe/bar is so cute! I almost don't want to write a review for it so that less people know about it and keep it off the map! Take the stairs down to an underground setting -- it's like a secret hideaway. Very narrow and little room to mingle so I don't recommend visiting here with a large group. Best for two to four people. Very lively and the wide array of cocktails. P.S. I always love a good bar staff with a positive attitude! read more

Once you know about Freud's you feel like you're in on a secret. I bet thousands of people walk past this bar every day without ever looking down the rusty metal stairs to see what lies beneath. In all seriousness, on my first visit I thought my friend was planning to murder me... but trust me- shuffle down an oddly quiet street in Covent Garden, risk the slippery stairs, hold your nose against the smell of wee that lurks by the threshold and step in to one of the best cocktail bars in London. Now, as far as cocktails go, I'm not usually very fussed. I've been known to mix vodka, Grand Marnier and Ribena and serve it to a friend as if it was the most loving creation ever made. It wasn't and he was quite ill the next day. If I'm ever going to get educated Freud's is where its going to happen. Watching the bartenders is a real treat. They all clearly know what they are doing in here but none of them act with any of the pretension that often dogs this trade. Classic cocktails and house mixes are all on offer and take it from me, you'll want to try them all! Unfortunately the secret of this place seems to have gotten out a bit and during Friday and Saturday's you might have to fight for your place at the bar. My tip, mid-week drinking! Who cares if people think your an alcoholic, for drinks this good it's worth it! read more

Freud, ah, Freud! This place makes me question myself. Not in a 'shit, I have an Electra complex!' sort of way, but more in a 'why don't I love this place more?' sort of way. Because I should love this place. But I don't. It's troubling. I'm troubled. Reasons to love Freud: - Hidden downstairs, rendering it invisible to tourist throngs - Named after the great Sigmund (presumably?) - Attracting arty crowd which manages to be 'artsy' without slipping into the closely related 'arsy' - Long cocktail list - Not that expensive But why don't I really love Freud? Let's see... - Bit of a sweaty sardine tin. Don't get me wrong, I like dive bars. But I also like to be able to maintain some semblance of personal space if I'm drinking wine or a cocktail. If I want to thrash around in a crowd I'll get some beer at the Blues Bar near Regent St. I don't know why. It's probably just me. - When it's not a sweaty sardine tin, it's dead. I've never found a happy medium. Do I just visit at the wrong times? - The cocktails...aren't that good, or that strong (???). Am I just ordering the wrong things, or have I reached the advanced state of alcoholism where a drink has to be made with ethanol before I'll say 'wow, that's strong'? - Maybe I'm just getting too old and snobby for all this. Jeeves, please book me a table at the Savoy's American Bar. So, you see, I don't really love Freud. I'm sorry. There's clearly some sort of dysfunction here. Hopefully I'll see some improvement after my next appointment. read more

You know in sitcoms the group of characters always have a place that they hang out in? Well if my life was a sitcom, which it very almost is, this would be that place. After a week, day, hour or moment of stress or misery experienced by a certain group of ladies, I know I will receive an email, text or screech down the phone... "Boris, we must see Boris." No, these wonderful ladies are not referring to the joy that is our terrifyingly Aryan major, but a joyous cocktail they serve up here. For less than a tenner, one of these can knock you off your feet and into a happy place, that is damp, with grimy loos and surrounded by your friends happy kinda place. They joy! You may see a few of their reviews on here... show them a good FUC! read more

Think of the most crowded, claustrophobia-inducing, fire-hazardy place you've ever been. Now, add about 30 more people and an inflatable whale, and you've got yourself Freud. Despite being a 'secret' bar that's 'hidden' downstairs on an 'unassuming' stretch of 'Shaftesbury' Avenue, it's clear to me that someone has let the cat out of the bag. The mouse is now at Freud. Other than being the most crowded place on earth, I sort of enjoyed the industrial, basement feel of the bar (though I'm pretty sure that this place is genuinely a basement, anyway). Since the space doubles as an art gallery, there are all sorts of unexpectedly beautiful photography prints hanging around the wall on display. The bartenders here are quite feisty (saw one small Italian barman blow up at a patron who, to be honest, was being a twit, but was just drunk and leaning too far over the bar), and the cocktails are numerous in choice/pretty creative, reasonably well priced (for Soho/Covent Garden) at £5.25-7.00 a pop, and STRONG. With my Loretto Lemonade in hand (containing a WHOLE lot of Makers Mark, Midori, apple juice, and ginger beer), I was pretty set to go for the evening. There were about 4897239812894 other drinks that I wanted to try, because they all seemed very alcoholic and not too sickly sweet, but I guess I'll have to leave that for another visit. The one upside to Freud being a sardine curing-tin is that the crowd is pretty attractive...I've never enjoyed being squished and accidentally brushed up against so much. But that's another story. Ahem. read more

This place is the pits, a subterranean nightmare of epic proportions. Terrible drinks, unimaginative cocktail menu. Terrible music. Terrible atmosphere. Unpleasant staff. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone -- in fact, please oh please do me a favour and STAY AWAY. At all costs! Because then it might be possible for me to get a table every time I go. I, like many others, am not too precious that I won't sit on one of the 2 staircases in the back. Anywhere to rest my rear end and sip on cocktail deliciousness -- and they don't use those silly shot measuring thingers to ensure that we get as little alcohol as possible. Tied for the best mojitos in town, although I'm partial to the Pimlico as well. It loses a star only because it is a wee bit pricey for my tender finances. I might work in Hoxton Square, but I'm no hipster snotbag either; so I like that there's an eclectic mix of emo-hipster-suit-etc. here. No pretenses seems to be the only prerequisite. By miles the best bar in central London...err, I mean, read the top bit - it stinks! Stay away, I'm talking to you! Go to All Bar One, or even the Roadhouse, those are the best! read more

Feels like everything that can be said has been said about Freud's. But I'll add my 5 cent. Loves it! And it's across from Forbidden Planet. Why tell you that? Because the Yelp map listing is wrong and try as I might to decrypt its location from other people's reviews, I had to call to find it. Sure it seems a little pretentious, everyone crowded on top of each other on the stone steps, fur coats and quiff hairdos a-go-go. The one, rather horrifying bathroom. I was in there for a minute or so and someone was hammering the door down. This place will always be packed, you will have to queue for the two bartenders' attentions. But once you are drinking your way through the rather okay cocktail menu, (in my opinion it's nothing ground-breaking) with good friends, then you'll be having a good time. And it's downstairs, I love bars that are downstairs, makes me feel like I'm at Cheers. The music is a blast from the nostalgia train. That song you haven't heard since the late 90s? They play it at Freud's. You get to see the cute dawning of realisation on people's faces, such fun! read more

I don't think I'd have found Freud without someone taking me there on a group evening out, and I'm very glad they did. Slightly disconcertingly HUGE glasses of cocktails (and perhaps it was the wine I'd had beforehand but I got very confused by the little drawings of glasses next to the menu?!) are haphazardly mixed (different barman, different drink, we found) but pretty delicious. And strong. There's a lot of bare concrete which is better than twiddly chandeliers and flock wallpaper in my book! I'm sure they'd call it industrial chic but whatever it is, it's a great environment to drink yourself silly under the pretence of checking the consistency of the cocktails..... (I would never do this. never.) Completely non-pretentious, not full of tourists, brilliant atmosphere and a perfect Friday night bar. I'm not sure why I'm writing this review because I don't actually want everyone to find out about it. read more

This is a cheeky little gem of a bar, hidden by Shaftesbury Ave under ground. Great feel to the place and wikid to drink wine out of a tumbler rather than a wine glass...When I tell my friends about this place, I feel like I am letting them in on an exclusive little club, this place isn't very well known and my first time I met someone there I walked around for 20 mins trying to find it Really enjoyed it here, and the Cuba Libre wasn't bad either. Reasonably priced too. Only problemo is the lack of seating space. I recon this bar would be best on a warm summers eve after a busy day at the office. It is worth the search once you get to Shaftesbury Ave! read more

Cant believe its taken me so long to review Freud's, this bar is one of my big time loves If i was in any way musical i would write a little rap song as an ode to my undying love, but yet, alas, i have no musical skills in any way, so instead i will just have to suffice in saying that it is bloody awesome its small, its dark, there are never enough seats or space to be and the toilets are nothing to wax lyrical about, but i still love it big time as the pros massively out weigh any cons excellent cocktails, cute bar staff, a real mix of people, ever changing art work on the walls and a general good feeling about the place make this bar a real must after years of religiously drinking only the Boris Tea i have moved on to their Tuaca Mule, its the best, believe me, try it read more

Boozy basement of debauchery. Yes, please. Get here early to grab a seat, and you're lucky. If not, just pick a cocktail from the comprehensive blackboard of libations behind the bar and get sozzled. You won't mind that you're standing after a drink or two. Trust me. All concoctions don't appear familiar (ie, no classic cocktails*); all drink names are followed by a listing of their saucy contents; all seem to be served in high-balls; all are particularly potent, pleasantly priced. If you're looking to get a bit squiffy, you could do much worse than Freud. _____________________________ *Although, to be fair, they might have had classic cocktails. I was already drunk when I got here and my eyes were drawn exclusively to things like 'Dr Pepper' on the cocktail board. read more

Freuds is one of those places that you have to know how to get there to be able to get there. Kind of like Godot or that magical island in pirates of the Caribbean. Quite simply, Freuds has the best bar staff in anywhere I've been in London this far, with the exception of some hotels that I would not be able to afford without the kindness of well placed parents of friends. So grab a friend that knows their way around London, put on your black turtleneck sweater or whatever the kids are wearing these days (try 80's hip hop mixed with 90's indy style) and order a long island ice tea. You'll thank me. one of the greatest selling points to this place is the bartenders free pour drinks, and are not afraid to make you a stiff one. I think a pretty accurate description of the place would be a concrete basement filled with people cooler than the Fonz, great tasting drinks and an atmosphere that will make you yearn for an original Warhol of your very own. For all the smugness that there undoubtedly is, I don't think there is very much pretense. The bar is a place where the in-the-know like to come to get a good cocktail. Freuds does this to a tee and although some may say that it has attitude, so do I, and therefore its the perfect place. Personally, if you like tourist bars you should go to them, Leister square is close by, but I will stand by one of the few bars in London that's still not afraid to mix a proper drink. read more

Mm... as most other reviewers have pointed out, the cocktails here are **out of this freakin' world**. I had to sample at least 5 (and, yes, left eever-so-slightly [read: not-so-slightly] tipsy)... man they were good. I can highly recommend their Mojito (just the right amount of Mint and not too much sugar like many other places), and the "Tycoon" (some sort of vanilla concoction that goes down WAY too easily). They can certainly make a mean White Russian, too, if that's your thing. If you're okay to stand maybe 20 minutes first, you shouldn't have a problem finding a seat (by nabbing one when someone else leaves)... uuuunless it's a Friday, in which case all bets are off! read more

Apparently, London's worst kept secret bar. Though being in a basement and not particularly well sign-posted, there never seems to be a quiet night in Freud. The place has always been crowded - backs to the wall, huddled amongst friends, physical contact with strangers, full body brushing while trying to get around the place - crowded. If you feel comfortable amongst a crowd, however, then you may just like it here. Beer and wine are served but the real specialties are the cocktails. Lot's to choose from and they're all laid out on the blackboard above the bar in a Dummies Guide fashion. Each drink explained as to it's contents and even a small diagram showing which size glass the cocktail is served in. A long wait at the bar is quite normal as most punters get their fill with the cocktails and, obviously and unfortunately, these concoctions take longer to knock together. The bar décor is minimalistically cool. By that I mean there is little decoration occurring but Freud display an artists work (usually photography) around the entire bar, all of which is available to buy - or leave it where it hangs, depending on how you feel about it. The gents lavatories aren't entirely secluded and can be easily stumbled upon by someone who wasn't intending to find the gents lavatories. Given there are 60 previous reviews of Freud, I've probably gone over some old ground and I feel confidant that whatever I may have missed out in this review would've been caught by some previous attendee. Not a regular haunt of mine but a watering hole I return to from time to time. It's popular now but don't let that necessarily put you off. TTFN, Ian read more

A top place to get a cocktail in London! I am a fan because they have a very extensive cocktail list, the drinks are big and STRONG and reasonably priced for London (between £6-8 for a yummy concoction) and those that frequent the place are not WAGs or the types of boys that follow them around. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND the 'Jamaican Mule' soooooo delicious, and after a couple you will try to stand up and realise you can't... ;) The place itself is a basement, all brick walls and random artwork always exhibited. It can be a little tricky finding a table, but there is normally somewhere to perch your lazy, cocktail-swigging bum! Heh. The staff are super chilled, and the music is basically whatever they fancy listening to (or whatever you see in their cd collection and ask them to put on) - anything from reggae to blues to punk. For some reason, this is the kind of bar that I prefer going to with one other person, settling down afternoon/early evening-ish, and having a good tipsy (meaningful...) chat. I used to have a hard time remembering where this place was, and could never find it when I wanted to, only when I randomly stumbled upon it. I know where it is now though! Thankfully! read more

I forget how I stumbled upon this place, but I'm so glad I did. BE CAREFUL going down the stairs. If there was one thing I could change, it would be how much of a deathtrap they are. You'll see them just by the side of a cute antique shop on Shaftesbury Avenue. Then, get inside, if it's early then bag yourself a table. The best one is at the very back on the right hand side. Set up camp and enjoy. If you go later than 7pm, it'll be packed and you'll be lucky to sit down. However, it's reminiscent of beatnik basement bar, with people sitting on stairs, sideboards and wherever they can. Very good cocktails in big beakers at great prices, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night. read more

VERY interesting place. In general, the UK is a crappy place for mixed drinks. They're very expensive and made very weak. This place I have to say is the best I've had on this Euro trip. They have a GREAT drink menu on par with the new 'mixologist' trend in the US AND the prices are more reasonable than other local options. IMPORTANT DOWNSIDES: First, it's a dungeon that you'll certainly miss the first time from the street view. The skinny and steep stairs make it a bit claustrophobic especially when it's really crowded. Second, and most importantly, the service is ridiculously bad. I mean worse than the other bad service you've experienced in the UK. I decided the experience was worth getting the crappy service. You'll see what I mean. Cheers. read more

The girlfriend and I were looking for somewhere to grab a cheeky beer before heading to a restaurant booking at 8 and stumbled across Freud - what a great find! We didn't try the cocktails this time but I'm sure we'll be back soon! We also had a debate about whether it was a 4 or 5 star place and because (despite the sticky floor!) it had a great atmosphere and everyone there was having fun, I'm going for the top rating. Looking forward to a White Russian and some mojitos next time... read more

What was the name of that cocktail? It was erm...and tasted like erm..... This place always has that effect on me, I never remember what I've been drinking here! One thing I do remember is that its a great place to knock back some weird and wonderful cocktails before hitting a club somewhere nearby. As I generally hang around these parts I'm often stopping by. Thumbs up to Hannah, for getting me plastered x read more

I have been going to Freud Bar for an amount of time that is beginning to make me feel slightly old. But not really as old and tired as Freud is beginning to look. Where once it's sharp Brutalist design was a look that I loved, the concrete walls are now yellow tinged. Seating looks tired. In short, it looked scruffy. BUT. Drinks are still made well here and the menu is still so extensive it makes my head spin just trying to work out what I want. Drinks traditionally have always been strong here and I was very glad that they still pack a punch. The bar staff were all friendly but as prone as I am to exaggerating a million times about thousands of things, they really did look like they were 14. Must have been taught how to make really good cocktails in primary school. read more

A hidden bar with quirky art on the wall, absolutely fan-quitereasonablypriced-tastic cocktails, a gents toilet outside and a clientele that is just as smug about knowing where to find Freud Bar as you are. Laid back during the week but busy on the weekend (especially Fri night). Get here early enough to get a table and see how many cocktails you can get through. They're really rather good. Just don't Freudian slip on the narrow stairs. (Yes, I went there). read more

This bar is incredibly cool. The waxed cement walls are cool, the art on the walls is cool, doubly so when it's mine, the staff are cool. The cocktails are very pleasant and very reasonably priced. Drink the Loretto Lemonade, it's spectacular both in terms of taste and size. Huge! I love it here and am here a lot. read more

I went here with a friend last week and was pleasantly surprised that this dark little bolt-hole exists in such a busy touristy area. I was only there an hour on a quiet weeknight, so I can't wax lyrical, but yeah, I loved it. Because it is a rough concrete basement it's cool and dark, and it has that damp cellar/garage/shed feeling, which makes it feel like a secret den for grown-up children. The place itself is so unpretentious I wanted to hug it, but in such a small space I can imagine that the clientèle would absolutely make or break the ambience of an evening. read more

Fun little basement bar with a cozy and slightly grungy atmosphere. Their gin cocktails are amazing! Some of the best I've had.

Freud reminds of Le Crocodile in Paris (home of seriously strong cocktails and late opening hours): http://www.resto-de-paris.com/le-crocodile-bar-a-cocktails/restaurant/paris It was busy, small, studenty and served some great cocktails. With it's central location, surrounded by a plethora of crap, this place stands out as a 'thinking' man/woman's choice. I would love to spend a whole evening here and see what happens.... PS I also liked the strange outside men's toilets. read more

Love, love, love the atmosphere and the speakeasy vibe. Especially loving the music (deep/tech house). Down the stairs and soon surrounded by bare concrete and brilliant lighting, it's a joy to drink in. It reminds me of New York, and that's A Good Thing. I'm less sure, however, about the cocktails. Several visits have lead me to conclude that the Diageo tie-up, whilst rendering cocktails cheap(ish) for the area, doesn't quite work. Sure, there's more than enough in the way of spirit variety, but then choice within that? Severely limited. I mean, come on, a handful of whiskeys only? Ultimately my visits to Freud bar betray my love of the atmosphere rather than the cocktails. Revamp the menu, chuck out the collaboration, and hell, even raise the prices a bit, and I'd be here more often than home. read more

What a great find and slightly off the beaten path near Covent Garden. Freud is a shabby chic bar located down a rickety staircase on Shaftsbury Avenue. I really dug the vibe of this place...exposed concrete and high-ceilings matched with an eclectic mix of alternative studenty types as well as lots of foreigners from the continent. Excellent selection of custom cocktails, all a rather reasonable 6 - 8 pounds. Finally a place that makes proper Long Islands in London! For a rather complex set of drinks, the bar staff work quick. Some advice...be careful walking down the narrow stairs and be sure to get there early....it tends to get crowded which leaves little room to maneuver to the bar let alone to find an empty seat. read more