B-loo-ming ‘eck, we Londoners sure do love a quirky coffee shop, don’t we? This one might just take the biscuit, though. Hidden below the bustling streets of Fitzrovia is a subterranean spot, serving up coffee from inside a former gent’s toilet. What a lovely thought…
Once you sweep the initial image of what was happening down there in its previous life under the carpet tiles; it really is a pretty charming (no toilet roll pun intended) place. The public loo was originally built in the late 1800s but was left unused for fifty years after closing in the 1960s. The space then underwent a serious renovation, and after two years of scheming, planning, sprucing and – most importantly – cleaning; The Attendant was born. And we must admit: it’s scrubbed up pretty nicely.
The original Doulton & Co. porcelain urinals have been repurposed, and make for a rather unconventional (but ever so novel) coffee bench. The Victorian bathroom tiles also still remain.
The Attendant serve up top-notch coffee, made from their very own seasonal espresso blend, direct from the Attendant Roastery. With a food menu full of home-style breakfast, brunch and lunch menus and the highest-quality brewing equipment to make the highest-quality cuppa; it’s no surprise that this little public toilet draws quite a crowd. A bathroom most definitely worth queuing for.
They don’t take bookings but here in London, we’re no strangers to waiting in line to use the bathroom, so what’s a few more minutes, hey?
đź“Ť You’ll find the Attendant at 27A Foley Street, W1W 6DY.
🚇 Nearest station is Goodge Street.