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Category: Restaurants [Edit]
52 St. Giles High StLondon WC2H 8LH
Neighbourhood: Covent Garden
020 7240 8042
- Nearest Transit:
-
Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern)
Leicester Square (Northern, Piccadilly)
Covent Garden (Piccadilly)
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:00 - 23:00
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
3 reviews for First Out Cafe-Bar
All Reviews
So, I didn't know that First Out was an LGBTQ venue.
I just saw 'vegetarian' cafe and decided I needed to visit. I didn't really even catch on to its homo undercurrent until I'd sat down to wait for my food. All I saw was 'soup and salad', and all I thought about was how charming and welcoming the staff behind the counter had been. In a city that is not known for its helpful service industry, First Out's staff had me enchanted from 'What can I get for you?'
I loved First Out for this. Yeah, so it's a cafe that's out and proud; it is outwardly queer in its marketing paraphernalia. But it's welcoming to all. Being a queer vegetarian restaurant, it has the capacity to make one feel doubly unwelcome. I mean, I was a heterosexual woman walking in wearing leather shoes! But homosexual or heterosexual, vegetarian or omnivore, you don't have to worry about measuring up to anyone else's pretensions.
Oh yeah, and about the food... My courgette and tarragon soup and small plate of mixed prepared salads were inventive and delicious. I mean, how often do you find 'courgette and tarragon' soup? And who would have thought to pair beet and green apple in a single salad? Not me. But perhaps it was a bit overpriced at £6.95.
I really love this cafe, for smoothies, for food, for drinks, you name it. It's a staple for the Geys and Lezbots who want a vegetarian nosh upstairs or a drink at the bar downstairs. Although, I've seen a cute little straight family come in and fit right in, so don't be afraid to come on in, heteros! It's a great place to take a first date.
It's usually not super busy during the day, and the offer an excellent array of quiches, salads, curries and desserts. I personally love the Peach-Mango-Raspberry smoothies and the new potato salad.
The bar has reasonably priced cocktails, especially during happy hour. A pitcher of Sangria, Sex on the Beach, Long Island Iced Tea, etc. is only £11 and serves about 4. Only open until 11, it's a nice place to pregame on Fridays and Saturdays or have an after-work drink.
Fridays are Girl Fridays in the basement, and it's nice that there's a place that has a designated space for lesbians to come and meet. Highly recommend for this fact.
First Out is an unpretentious cafe mostly for gays and lesbians. I generally find that gay men and women tend to stick to different venues but First Out manages to somehow keep a good balance going. It's a relaxed and friendly place and situated conveniently around the corner of the busy high street so as not to frighten the homophobes.
The upstairs is more of a cafe area that serves some really good vegetarian food. The menu changes daily. There's also a selection of cakes although, strangely I've never been tempted to try.
The downstairs area is where the bar is so it's a bit more lively. Before the smoking ban, it was incredibly unpleasant as it can be a bit dingy but now that the skies have cleared all is forgiven.
