Covent Garden pop-up to pave way for permanent speakeasy

A three-month long pop-up restaurant and bar space from the team behind the Oriole, Nightjar, and Bar Swift concepts is set to open in Covent Garden, paving the way for a permanent location.

Located at Slingsby Place in The Yards, PRELUDE by Oriole will make way for the second iteration of speakeasy concept Oriole, which will reopen permanently in the summer.

The 34-cover restaurant and bar will serve many of the food and drink options that will be available at Oriole’s permanent home later this year, with the pop-up serving as a research and development space for the concept.

The menu will draw from Latin American cooking styles and ingredients with influences from other parts of the world, and will be supplemented by an extensive cocktail menu with a number of signature drinks.

The original Oriole was launched by Speakeasy Entertainment at Smithfield Market in 2015, before closing in 2022 to make way for the redevelopment of the market.

Edmund Weil, director of Speakeasy Entertainment, said: “After leaving Smithfield in 2023, we always planned to revive Oriole with our top employees as operating partners. Finding a new home has proved a long journey, but we are delighted to have settled in within The Yards at the heart of Covent Garden and one of the most happening locations in London.”

On behalf of The Yards, Jamie Thipthorpe, director at CBRE, added: “Oriole is an exciting step forward in our long-term strategy to cement The Yards as a unique mixed-use day-to-night destination in the heart of Covent Garden. This pop-up will be a great addition to The Yards ahead of its permanent site later this year and is a testament to the area and the opportunities it provides for new concepts to thrive. We will continue to work closely with the council, residents, and key stakeholders alike to deliver Oriole’s vision, which we look forward to welcoming to our community.”

PRELUDE by Oriole will open for three months from 13 March.