Fluid bar, Barbican, London

I should like Fluid a lot more than I do. How could you not love a bar with sushi, Japanese-themed cocktails and Space Invader machines?

My main problem was the complete lack of atmosphere in the basement/club part of the bar. It was still empty when I left at midnight. I felt a bit sorry for the DJ actually. This is such a shame, because a decent club bit could turn Fluid into one of those places you could spend all evening in. As a friend of mine said, you'd think Fluid was the worst bar in the world if you stayed downstairs.

However. The cocktails are lovely and I found service to be very speedy. There's also an abundance of sofas and seats, so you won't be left standing by the bar until it's very busy. I think I'll give Fluid another chance if I'm in the area, but I won't be planning a trip there anytime soon.

A nice place to get some drinks instead of to go to the Fabric nearby. Often Live music by a DJ, bar waiter are nice even if busy and prices are correct!
The Japanese menu looks good, but I did not get a chance yet to try it…
Big sofas where you can relax & talk.
According to my experience, the main dancefloor is downstairs…

Any bar that has classic arcade machines in the corner is a winner in my book. Came in here last night, ordered a pint of Asahi and got straight onto the Street Fighter II. Ryu vs. Ken - and you’ll be pleased to hear that Ryu triumphed with a punishing “shoryuken”. Anyway, back to the bar….

Fluid is located on 2 levels. Upstairs is quite chilled - lots of comfortable sofas, bar area, aforementioned arcade machines and a small DJ area. Downstairs is geared a bit more towards dancing and at first sight looks a bit like a sushi bar! DJ Jamie Melvin was on top form last night and the crowd was friendly and young. I think the rule of thumb in these parts is “If you can’t get in to Fabric, go to Fluid.”

Fun times.

A very nice pre party or after party joint. Great sushi too!

Brilliant. But lets just make clear now that if you give me a drink and then a pacman machine I’m pretty much yours for life. I’ve got a lot of affection for this place since it has both. I’ve also got a lot better at Space Invaders since I was introduced to it. Space Invaders is really hard when you’re pissed.

There are big seating areas, djs and pretty Japanese girls behind the bar. There’s sushi as well, if you like that kinda thing (Siany does NOT).

I’ve had birthdays in here and nights of drunkeness that only the people there could find funny. But aren’t they the best nights?

The only downside? The club downstairs is horrid and sweaty. Unfortunately, it’s the only way to get to the loos. Stay upstairs and dance in there instead. No one’s going to stop you.

I’m more than happy to start a Qype Space Invaders tournament too…

This is a nice little bar with a great selection of Japanese drinks and a fantastic Japanese food menu. Both are priced very reasonably.
The music upstairs can be quite loud as the night goes on.

Looking like a japanese sushi bar with big glass windows, Fluid is a welcome change from over-crowded sweat-fests. There seems to be a trend for these places, interestingly lit far-east influenced bars with affordable drinks and funky furniture.

Downstairs there is a cellar room where you can dance the night away and get as sweaty as you like, and upstairs big leather sofa arrangements. At the risk of sounding old and grumpy, the dj-ing upstairs was a little loud - to the extent that my voice hurts a little this morning - but there is a pac-man machine in the corner so you can game away all night if you fancy a break from the shouting.

Funky affordable clubbing in a cool and quiet area of London. Have a go.

This is really good place for a fun night out with some friends. Music styles consists of house, hiphop, and just some crazy electro stuff that is just good fun to dance to. It is fairly small and the dancefloor is not great but you can still have a good old boogie. Drinks are not that expensive, you wouldn’t be breaking the bank. The toilets are really quite disgusting, but hey, so are most of them in clubs like this! However, always a fun night out.