Worst time to go? The youthfulness of the brand’s cult following means school holidays can be particularly bad, and the queue can grow enormously on bank holidays and at Christmas.
Best time to go? Mornings.
Tasty fare
Pitt Cue Co, 1 Newburgh Street, W1
If this BBQ meat joint had more than six tables there wouldn’t be a constant line of people outside but something suggests they like the look of having a buzz. In the February snow, punters shivered under umbrellas in the line.
Who’s queuing? Converts who liked their van on the South Bank.
How long? Stretching 15 metres and 40-60 people.
Worst time to go? If you arrive at 6pm, you’ll be waiting for a spot at the bar, never mind a table.
Best time to go? Queues are shorter earlier in the week, and a 5.30pm arrival should guarantee a quick table.
Access all arias
Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, WC2
The 67 day seats sold every day draw big queues when popular shows are running, like the Royal Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet (until March 31). They’re cheaper than pre-booked seats (£20-£50) and are normally the only way of getting in if you didn’t think of it months in advance.
Who’s queuing? Ballet and opera fans on a budget.
How long? The stewards manage the queue and encourage anyone behind the 70th person to try another time. Successful buyers often wait more than two hours.
Worst time to go? There are queues for the day seats from 8am on average, so by 9.45am there will often by too many in the queue to make it worthwhile joining. When the seasonal “booking periods” begin, there are also big queues of opera-goers keen to bag specific seats.
Best time to go? Apart from for the most popular shows, arriving before 7am should be fine.
Burger craze
MEATliquor, 74 Welbeck Street, W1
The burgers at this New York-style diner have persuaded some punters to wait for two hours outside.
Who’s queuing? Trendy foodies.
How long? From 30 minutes to two hours.
Worst time to go? Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 7pm and 8pm.
Best time to go? Before 6pm-ish you can usually walk straight in.
Italian victuals
Spuntino, 61 Rupert Street, W1
Restaurateur Russell Norman says the queues that used to snake out of his other ventures, Polpo and Polpetto, “upset me”, so his Italian-American outlet at Spuntino is designed for waiting. Visitors can queue alongside a special shelf, and order drinks and snacks while they do so. Norman says he even queues himself — “it is very democratic,” he says.
Who’s queuing? Soho creatives.
How long? Ten to 15 people normally wait about half an hour for a table.
Worst time to go? It starts to get busy from 5.30pm, and the next few hours can be tricky.
Best time to go? It closes at midnight, so arriving after 10.30pm increases your chances. Singles and couples are sometimes fast-tracked to the 26-stool bar ahead of bigger groups.
