For years, Covent Garden was a tourist trap of chain restaurants and kitsch, mediocre pub fare. However, more recently, this central London enclave has reinvented itself as a foodie hotspot, home to chef Jackson Boxer’s Henri, the revamped Savoy Grill, and now, the Latin-inspired cocktail bar and restaurant, Oriole.

Located on Slingsby Place within The Yards, Covent Garden, Oriole is created by the group behind the beloved cocktail bar Nightjar and Bar Swift. This is the second permanent iteration of Oriole, designed by local firm Daytrip. The studio, led by Emily Potter and Iwan Halsted, are frequent collaborators, having previously designed Nightjar and the first Oriole outpost at Smithfield Market, which closed due to the site’s redevelopment. They’ve honed an intimate speakeasy vibe in the downstairs space, which offers an Argentine and Nikkei-inspired à la carte menu by chef director Gustavo Giallonardo, with intriguing cocktails to match.

Flavours include Hamachi tiradito with kimchi Aguachile; chicken with soft arepa, mushrooms, and mole velouté; sea trout with Torrontés beurre blanc, trout roe, and daikon fondant; and coconut tres leches with fig leaf sauce and coconut sorbet. To accompany, Bar Director Samet Ali has developed a cocktail menu inspired by Oriole’s migratory namesake, featuring signature drinks such as the Finca Filadelfia, a complex, full-bodied take on an espresso martini with Eminente 7-year-old rum, Del Maguey Vida mezcal, cascara (coffee shell) vermouth, chamomile liqueur, espresso, and coconut horchata foam. Another standout is the Rio Verde, a tequila punch with tamarillo (tree tomato) purée, peach aperitif, and watermelon.

Oriole’s interiors continue the explorer vibe: leafy green leather banquettes are backdropped by hand-painted wallpaper depicting South American landscapes with banana trees and palms. A golden amber tone suffuses the space, from recessed lighting in the coffered ceilings to the rich tones of the wooden bar stools, tables, and chairs. Glass shelving displays objects and curios from exotic travels, such as carved toucan heads and sculptural fish, while tables are oriented towards a small stage where a band performs every evening.

Upstairs, Bamboo Bar is a light and airy departure from the lounge, thanks to its large windows and tall, aqua-painted ceiling. The colours pull directly from the Argentine colour palette, with the turquoise bar taking pride of place, made from Brazilian quartzite. Small wooden tables fan across the interior and burgundy booths are tucked into its corners, and instead of parquet flooring like downstairs, there’s a casual checkerboard tiling.

Bamboo’s has a selection of aperitivo cocktails such as the Odyssey (Don Julio Blanco tequila, pickled pink ginger, Lillet rosé, and timur berry soda) and Chincha Alta (Ketel One vodka, moscatel pisco, apple marigold, absinthe, champagne), plus a selection of small bites.

7-9 Slingsby Pl, London WC2E 9AB

Read next: Outdoor art to enjoy in London this autumn

Brasserie fare gets the gastropub treatment at Henri

Brilliant Corners at 10: designing London’s pioneering listening bar