Gilroy’s Loft

You're walking down Shelton Street in Covent Garden when you spot Gilroy's Loft—a proper Irish bar that doesn't mess about with gimmicks. This is where you go when you want a Guinness poured correctly, not rushed. The space has that authentic Dublin pub feel: dark wood, low ceilings, the kind of place where regulars have their spots and the bartenders remember your order. It's become something of a pilgrimage site for pint enthusiasts in the area, drawing everyone from theatre-goers to locals who've abandoned the tourist traps nearby. The 4.7-star rating isn't accidental—they know what they're doing.