This eccentric, colorful cocktail bar and bistro in London’s West End goes beyond delightful drinks and food.
Mrs. Riot delights visitors even from the outside. The front door is only a sneak peak of the exhilarating ambiance that awaits customers inside.
Covent Garden is known for its chic restaurants, fashion stores and street performers. In front of the St. Paul’s church, a small black door covered on pink flowers takes you to an experience-led restaurant.
Once in, a technicolor pop environment immediately elevates customers’ energy. Mrs. Riot delivers the perfect balance of bright and dark; irreverence and chic.
A warm staff welcomes guests at the reception, walking them throughout a fully decorated hall. At this point, Mrs. Riot is no longer just the restaurant’s name. She is on the walls. She is on the menus. And suddenly, she in your mind too. But, after all, you think, “who is this lady?”
A pink menu informs customers on Mrs. Riot’s story, and offers a variety of food and drink options. It keeps the same aesthetic of the restaurant, mixing pop art and 18th century portraits. From back to front, Margarita, “Rasp-baby” and “Frozen Porn Star Martini” and “Baby Riot” shots.
Mrs. Riot
Catherine Clive was a singer and comedian from London in the 18th century. Known as “Kitty,” the performer was discovered as she sang while cleaned the steps of a tavern in Covent Garden. In the next twenty years, Kitty’s career was very successful, which paved the way for her later encounter with comedy.
300 years later, Kitty is eternized every night at the same place where she once sang as an amateur.
Kitty was innovative on stage and performed in both low-style productions and classics from Shakespeare and Henry Purcell. During the 1740s, however, her career went through a crisis due to scandals involving high salaries.
At that time, her voice also started to age, which contributed for she taking a shape turn in her career as well. Kitty Clive then devoted her life to satire and comedy, becoming the first female comedian and winning back audiences.
Throughout her life, the Londoner championed women’s rights as a pioneering feminist. Kitty died in 1785, but entered history for creating and reshaping stage genres.
Mrs. Riot was one of the most famous characters played by Kitty and has also inspired the name and decoration from the cocktail bar. Almost 300 years later, Kitty is eternized every night at the same place where she once sang as an amateur.
Interior Design
Mrs. Riot is a must-go for those who enjoy experiential restaurants. Its interior is surrounded by Instagrammable spots, references to pop culture and advocacy for gender and sexual freedom.
Undoubtedly, the bar is notorious for its extravagant interior design. Before even getting their food, customers are encouraged to be themselves and interact with all the decoration.
Graffiti, plums and flowers coordinated with strategic lightning are a delight for the eyes. In the wall, edited Kitty Clive’s portraits from the 18th century resemble pop art. Next to the bar, customers can make memories by posing inside a photo booth.
“We wanted to take the happy hour culture to the next level.”
Nick zUPPAR
And all its success is not by accident. Mrs. Riot was designed by the Hollywood film designer Sonja Klaus.
According to owner Nick Zuppar, all the bistro’s corners matter and were designed to evoke emotions on guests. And it required a professional, but also sensitive, touch he knew Klaus possessed.
“We wanted to create a vibrant atmosphere for people seeking a fun night,” Zuppar said in an online interview. “We wanted to take the happy hour culture to the next level.”
The Australian entertainment producer and entrepreneur launched Mrs. Riot in 2021 as a homage to the spirit of Kitty’s character.
Cuisine
As much as customers love taking their cute photos on the picturesque bistro, it is the stomach that will have the final say at the end of the day.
As a cocktail bar, Mrs. Riot has a robust list of classics and also original drinks. A pink menu reserves eight pages to showcase a variety of drinks for any taste. From beers to margaritas to wine to mocktails, the bistro will have a drink just for you.
To accompany your drink of choice, there’s also food options. Home-made pizzas, boneless chicken tenders and fresh-baked foccacaia are all available on the menu. Although less numerous, food options are also delicious.
A 2-4-1 Happy Hour takes place every weekday until 8 p.m., except for Mondays when it is available all night long.
For Manon Fessy, bartender at Mrs. Riot, the bar combines top-quality drinks with an unforgettable experience. Coming from Lyon, France, the 23 year old said Mrs. Riot contributes a lot to her positive experience living in London.
“I love working here: it’s so dynamic and everyone is always so happy,” she said. “I also love getting to know people from different countries every day.”
Manon preparing her favorite shots for customers to try. Everyone who completes a Google review for Mrs. Riot online gets a free shot on their next visit!
She was right. Mrs. Riot receives a lot of tourists visiting London. Fedde William, from south India, made his first stop at the bistro.
“Great food, great music, great drinks… I am loving London,” he said laughing.
Fedde had just gotten to London to visit a friend who lives in the city. That first night, as his friend worked, he went for a walk at Covent Garden.
“I have seen this place on Instagram before coming here,” he said. “It is definitely worth the visit.”
Fedde holding his “Rasp-baby” and wearing a gold, shiny hat before going into the photo booth.
Events
Mrs. Riot is also a hub for free expression, hosting special events like Bottomless Drag Brunch on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and Drag Bingo on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. There’s also a “Mrs. Riot GOT Talent” every Monday night where customers can sing their favorite songs to win prizes. For brunch and bingo, drag queens and kings are invited to join the fun, sing and dance.
From Thursday through Sunday, expect a DJ to hype up the night with some funk, jazz, soul or whatever will fill the place with a good vibe.
Downstairs, a different, almost secret, room awaits singers (or not) for some karaoke. Guests can make a reservation for parties of up to 20 people.
The main room also allows for private reservation for events and celebrations through the website. It’s also possible to check what are the events coming up every weekend.
Among so many pubs and traditional restaurants in the city of London, Mrs. Riot stands out as an immersion experience into cuisine and exhilarating ambiance. Whenever touring around Covent Garden, enjoy the most creative cocktails while also learning about history and art in the most fun way possible. Oh, and do not forget to take pictures in the photo booth on your way out!
Steph Travels 