A popular wine bar in central London that has served customers for over four decades has closed its doors for the final time.
Situated in prime position in the centre of Covent Garden’s market hall, if you haven’t dined at Crusting Pipe you’ve probably walked past it.
The indoor terrace restaurant and wine bar, run by wine merchant chain Davy’s, has been a key feature of the busy area for the past 40 years.
It was one of the first tenants in the building after a major redevelopment of the market in the 1980s, which saw the area convert from a fruit and veg market to a shopping and street entertainment hub.
I've spent many happy hours at The Crusting Pipe wine bar in Covent Garden, but it's closing down on Sunday after 45 years. Owners Davy's blame the closure on "changing patterns of use". I'm saddened to see another decent drinking den disappearing. pic.twitter.com/njvzP3C9p0
— simon read (@simonnread) December 17, 2025
As well as serving an array of wines, The Crusting Pipe dished out breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day to hungry shoppers in its covered courtyard.
But on Sunday, December 21, it poured its last glass of sauvignon blanc; its owners blamed changing customer habits for the closure.
A statement on Davy’s website said: “As trading environments and customer habits have evolved, this chapter has now come to a close.
“We remain grateful to the many team members and customers who contributed to the character and success of The Crusting Pipe over the years.”
Meanwhile, a £73 million Guinness brewery, restaurant and visitor attraction has just opened in Covent Garden.
Iconic restaurants and pubs have closed across the capital in recent months. Just last week an Irish bar on Stoke Newington’s famous Church Street closed its doors.
Elsewhere in the city, Hackney’s pioneering zero waste restaurant Silo closed this month, as did the neighbourhood restaurant Saltine in Highbury and Le Colombier brasserie in South Kensington.
Some pubs have started banning Labour MPs in protest over business rates rises announced in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget.
