Blow Out (and about) // The Attendant – a new coffee shop in an old Victorian gents

Now here’s a new opening where I fancy spending a penny.

What: The Attendant – a coffee shop in an old Victorian toilet
Where: 27a Foley Street, London W1W 6DY
Why: Seeing is believing!
Getting there: Nearest tube(s) – Oxford Circus/Goodge Street

When we first heard about the opening of The Attendant on Foley Street – the “espresso bar in an abandoned toilet” – we couldn’t quite get our heads around the concept of coffee being served up in a pissy old carsey.

But seeing is believing, and the venue has had a full revamp (as well as, thankfully, a good old scrub), and many of the original ‘features’ have been artfully preserved.

Put it this way, the coffee cups aren’t the only porcelain to be found underground.

Yup, the original 1890s Doulton & Co urinals are now being used for sitting rather than standing, and food can be ordered through the old attendant’s window. There’s even an original hand drier overlooking the banquette seating.

The brain child of Peter Tomlinson, who spotted the disused toilets, er, to let whilst supping a pint outside The Crown & Sceptre pub, the food is far from crap (sorry, the lure of toilet jokes is just too much). Think blue cheese, pear paninis and the best pulled pork sandwiches, oh my!

Now, instead of drinking pissy coffee from a high street chain, you can drink delicious coffee in an old pisser. Though we might swerve the Gold Blend, ho ho ho.

Visit the-attendant.com or follow @AttendantPete on Twitter