|
|
|
|
»Serenity Now«
43 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL
Howson
last updated on 24-09-2008:
I quite like Bar Kick. Everybody likes table football, everybody likes beer. It’s win win. The only downside would be the fact that it gets so packed that you often have to wait ages for your turn at a table. This is hardly tragic, though. See aforementioned beer.
The bar downstairs, which I ventured into for a friend’s comedy night, is smaller and rather more intimate. It’s for grown ups. The comedy night was phenomenal, though (as usual, I admit that there may be a slight bias here, as I knew each and every person that was on).
Also, if you happen to be wandering down Shoreditch High Street at lunchtime, I’d wander in. The portions are huge and the food is excellent. I had a chorizo and bean stew thing that had me slumbering at my desk for the rest of the day. Always a plus.
(This is a last minute addendum, but just realised this review is under the wrong bar. This is a review of Bar Kick in Shoreditch, as opposed to “Cafe Kick”, which is in Exmouth Market. Thus the confusion.)
1 person thought this review was helpful
34 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DX
Howson
last updated on 24-09-2008:
A very cool pub. The chairs upstairs are so massive and comfy, you find yourself doing a messy adolescent sprawl, limbs all over the place. There is a wide selection of great beer and, while I understand from the reviews above that some people have had issues with the staff, I thought everyone that worked there was really friendly, helpful and generally on the ball. Perhaps I got lucky.
Downstairs, the animal print rug gave me cause for concern, but it all kind of works. Edgy decor, no? The live music was great - folksy ballads at their best. (I may be somewhat biased about this, as I was there to hear my friend). The rather mouldy damp smell is a bit hard to ignore, though.
The food was well cooked, extremely filling stodge. If fish finger sandwiches and sausages and mash literally swimming in gravy are your bag, you need look no further than the Slaughtered Lamb.
1 person thought this review was helpful
103 Walton Street, London SW3 2HP
Howson
last updated on 24-09-2008:
This is a nice little bar. The decor is hardly inspired, but it’s reasonably pleasant, although the circular white couches seem to be trying a bit hard for “trendy”. And failing.
The drinks are very reasonably priced for the area and the cocktails are delicious. On the night I went there, though, there was only one girl on the bar. As the place got quite full and she was expected to do table service (clearly, one cannot carry one’s own champagne), the poor thing was rushed off her feet and the wait for your drinks was a bit longer than I would generally deem acceptable. However, the mellow vibe and the fact that she was quite clearly doing her best kept even the bolshiest patrons sweet.
The music is a mish mash of laidback R’n’B, “old school” and a bit of Latin. Once again, not generally my taste, but it works.
In conclusion, Vendome is an ideal stop for a few (too many) mid week drinks. It is also only a hop and a skip away from Boujis is you wish to carry on the evening’s festivities.
1 person thought this review was helpful
93 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RD
Howson
last updated on 07-09-2008:
The Griffin is a little grotty, slightly smelly and extremely cool. It’s a proper pub, with no delusions of grandeur. Situated on Leonard Street, it is smack in the middle of Shoreditch “galleryland” and extremely popular as an after work drink spot, so it gets quite rammed and most of the clientele are at least vaguely 'arty’.
There is a pool table at the back, which you have to practically edge around to get to the tiny, single serving loos (ladies, be warned, the probability of a fifteen minute wait is high, so start queuing early) and a small canopy type affair out front to shelter the nicotine addicted from inclement weather. The tables are small, the chairs mismatched and the bar service erratic, but pleasant. The music is anything and everything from Sade, to the Smiths, to Spandau Ballet, and then back again.
Basically, it is either your sort of place or it isn’t. It is a full two and a half minutes from my work and I am extremely fond of it. Oh, and you can get a pint and a doorstep sandwich for £4.50 - as an early lunch, this has proven to be a surprisingly effective hangover cure. Classy.
1 person thought this review was helpful
323 Old Street, London EC1V 9LE
Howson
last updated on 06-09-2008:
Cocomo is fabulous. I love the overstuffed cushions, mirrors and tassels - it all gives one the impression that one is in a Moroccan souk. A souk where they have Jukebox Tuesdays and play a lot of The Smiths. Fabulous!
The bar staff are very friendly, offer advice (apparently, the milkshakes are an unwise choice) and always seem to be having a really great time. They also make excellent cocktails - I recommend the mojitos.
1 people thought this review was helpful
330-332 Brockley Road, Brockley, London SE4 2BT
388 New Cross Road, London SE14 6TY
|
|
