The Institute Bar
Quick info
About The Institute Bar
The Institute Bar is a cocktail bar in London at 20 Bedford Way, run as a student bar for UCL students. Pool tables share the space with a create-your-own pizza menu, which includes a vegan option, so a game and a meal happen in the same room. Cocktails are served at the bar, and jazz nights are part of the line-up. Entry at the IOE end goes through turnstiles, and security staff cover the door. The bar opens Monday to Friday and closes on Saturdays and Sundays. It has been recently refurbished.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cheap pints, pizza deals, outdoor terrace and cocktail deals.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cheap pints, pizza deals, outdoor terrace and cocktail deals.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return for cheap pints, which several call a steal and possibly the cheapest in London, drawing students and after-work drinkers alike. Close behind are the pizzas, described as lovely, decent, and just above average, with a vegan option and a pint and pizza deal, alongside deals on cocktails. The outdoor terrace, the recently refurbished space, and good company also earn praise, and one reviewer says they met very important people here. Food draws the sharpest criticism. One reviewer calls it overpriced and poor and describes terrible customer service when raising it, while another suggests grabbing food elsewhere. One reviewer also reports a security guard shouting at their group at closing time, putting hands on a friend, throwing a drink on the floor, and telling them to go back to where they came from. Other reviewers call the security and bar staff the nicest they have met. A few practical details recur: free water at the bar, and a terrace entrance facing SOAS for anyone without a student card.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return for cheap pints, which several call a steal and possibly the cheapest in London, drawing students and after-work drinkers alike. Close behind are the pizzas, described as lovely, decent, and just above average, with a vegan option and a pint and pizza deal, alongside deals on cocktails. The outdoor terrace, the recently refurbished space, and good company also earn praise, and one reviewer says they met very important people here. Food draws the sharpest criticism. One reviewer calls it overpriced and poor and describes terrible customer service when raising it, while another suggests grabbing food elsewhere. One reviewer also reports a security guard shouting at their group at closing time, putting hands on a friend, throwing a drink on the floor, and telling them to go back to where they came from. Other reviewers call the security and bar staff the nicest they have met. A few practical details recur: free water at the bar, and a terrace entrance facing SOAS for anyone without a student card.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Grab your food elsewhere, but fun nights overall. I met some very important people for me here”
- Google user
“straight up the nicest security and bar staff you could ever encounter, the drinks are amazing at really reasonable prices (cheapest you can get as a london student imo!) and it’s so nice to sit in the sun with all the outside space and get the deals and pizza with friends ! my fav student bar”
- Google user
“Should be a go to for anyone studying around Bloomsbury. Great drinks, decent pizza, and lovely staff!!!”
- Google user
“The security guard at institute bar was the worst man I’ve ever met. He was unnecessarily rude and aggressive at closing time and began shouting at my friend as we were getting up to leave within seconds of him asking. He put his hands on my friend, threw his drink on the floor and threw a girls bag on the floor. He also shouted “go back to where you came from”. This isn’t the first bad experience we’ve had with him. Grey bearded, dark hair, and skinny man needs to be investigated.”
- Google user
“Overpriced poor food, terrible customer service when trying to discuss the matter. Not recommended.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
“Intimate space featuring pool tables & a create-your-own pizza menu, plus cocktails & jazz nights.”
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
- Casual
Show more amenities
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Live music
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Highlights· 1
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 1
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Cocktail bars near The Institute Bar
- 0.4 mi
happy hour cocktails, bottomless brunch, cocktail class
- NQ64 Arcade Bar - Soho4.41,9370.5 mi£10–30
themed cocktails, retro arcade machines, jurassic marg
- Peony Bar @ Opium4.1630.8 mi
craft cocktails, dim sum, old fashioned
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Institute Bar | 4.3239 | — | £1–20 | cheap pints, pizza deals, outdoor terrace |
| The Cocktail Club - Cocktail Bar on Shaftesbury Avenue | 4.51,283 | 0.4 mi | — | happy hour cocktails, bottomless brunch, cocktail class |
| NQ64 Arcade Bar - Soho | 4.41,937 | 0.5 mi | £10–30 | themed cocktails, retro arcade machines, jurassic marg |
| Peony Bar @ Opium | 4.163 | 0.8 mi | — | craft cocktails, dim sum, old fashioned |
The 3 nearest cocktail bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Cocktail bars nearby
More to explore in London
25 places
Cocktail bars in London
Photo: Grind · 4.5 · 4,089 Google reviews
See all 25 cocktail bars in London
