SJQ was my introduction to Dalston, and what an intro it was!…read more As you enter SJQ, there is a welcoming and cozy bar area done up with junky knick knacks and general kitsch. There is an uncoordinated random seating area with no theme to the decor. The basement level is an intimate performance area, where you're very likely to not get a seat. We had to make do with floor seating, but it was nice. The performance wasn't a jazz recital though. The crowd is enthusiastic and keen; all very respectful of the performing artists, and mostly in awe, just like me. The staff is friendly and efficient, cleaning up quickly and quietly in the midst of the performance. The best part about the performance is that it is free, but I have heard that they have had an occasional cover charge in place. Fair enough. The cocktails are relatively cheap at £7.50, definitely worth trying. No beer on tap, but plenty of bottles, along with cider and a range of wines. To sum up, SJQ makes for a great evening, and the unique atmosphere will make your trip to Dalston truly memorable. Not to be missed for the world!

Great hipster atmosphere, great drinks, cool bartenders.... Winning!read more

So we got a recommendation to visit Shoreditch from our waiter at dinner. So we headed to…read moreShoreditch but didn't get a location to hit. So we got off the tube and started walking and found this place. Absolutely love this little bar. Decor was cute... lighting as well. Music was so bomb!!! We met great people that night.

When all other bars are cramped on a Friday night, and you don't wanna stand on the sidewalk…read morefreezing hoping your drink will warm you up from the inside, this might just be the right place. At least it was for us, and we were lucky to hit Happy Hour at around 6:30pm on a Friday. £10 for a bottle of wine (which is usually £25) seemed logically so wrong compared to the price of a single glass of wine, but I guess there's no logic about Happy Hour, so I'd say - Enjoy!

We showed up late, 930pm and had no problems ordering food which came out quickly. We tried a tofu…read morebowl that we've been talking about since that night. The tofu had a teriyaki/soy flavor to it that was seriously so good. If you've been to the USA, it reminded us of BiBi Bop...but even better. If you're not here for food the bar was very diverse, there was something for everyone and quite a few infused liquors. Also, there's a basement for live music.

An honest, well looked after, chilled out, arty bar…read more I used to come to the road trip way back - and whilst it hasn't changed much, the reason why I stopped coming here has gone - which used to be the unpleasant smell. I'm not sure what it was, but this place smells fine now. This is a lovely little characterful venue, bar staff are friendly and they now have a lovely little menu (to go with their little kitchen), with big apple hot dogs and burgers. Look out for the deer skull lampshade and look around for the little details like the fringes on the stools. They also have a very long happy hour, all Sunday and Monday I believe and every day for a good bulk of time. One offer being 2x cocktails for £10. Although I wasn't very happy with my margarita's, I could have done with far more ice and more lime. Although they were very kind and rather than make me both at the same time, made the second after I had finished so it would be fresh. There is also a good selection of bottled beers and a few little artisan beers on tap. A nice little stop off venue, usually good music, chilled crowd and a nice 'arty', quiet-ish place to talk to friends. Watch out for gigs downstairs too - it's a nice little music venue.

2 for 1 cocktails-yes please! My girlfriend and I went to the Dirty Martini on a Thursday around 7…read more One would think it would 11pm on a Friday night as it was an all out party!! They had a dj playing and everyone seemed to be having a good time. We were seated in a nice area with comfy couches. The drink menu was-- a lot. Maybe 100 different kinds of drinks (all fancy :) ) to choose from. Thankfully, the menu was actually quite detailed and provided guidance on each drinks sweetness and strength. (I like sweet fancy drinks that are not too strong.) Great time at the Dirty Martini! Since I love a fancy drink, this place was a hit for me. Great for cocktails and conversations!

Good place for cocktails but they are quite pricey! Best time to go is during happy hour…read more. The interior inside is quite nice and modern and the bar is the attraction piece. The seating area we were placed at was quite dark and not alot of light.. i had to actually hold up the menu to the light from outside.. The place plays good music but unfortunately not alot of space to dance. I went for my friend's birthday and we were dancing alot but not alot of space to move and also NO AIR-CON! We had to fan ourselves with the menus which wasnt good and the music should have been turned up alot louder as we couldnt hear alot of the music coming out of the speakers. But yes i would go back but only for happy hour!

I really love this little bar in Brixton Market. I've been a couple of times - it's very well…read morepriced, the cocktails are great and I like the atmosphere. It's pretty chilled out, with basic (but interesting) decor, like tables made from suitcases. And they have a good selection of board games. The cocktail menu regularly changes, and the drinks are well thought out and inexpensive. This time I had the Strawberries & Cream which was only £5 and came with a lollipop! If you're looking for a little place in the area and don't want to spend a lot, this is the place!

This was my third visit to Seven and as always I was pretty pleased. In the markets of Brixton is…read morehas that home made Brixton vibe, everything's a bit mismatched and half put together, but it works. The cocktails are very reasonably priced here from £5-£7.50, much better than some of the "fancier" joints in London and the staff will wait your table so you don't have to queue at the bar. On this occasion we had the strawberries and cream which was perfection and only £5. Can't get much happier than that.

Oh yelpers... hidden stairwells, gays, cocktails... if you've been keeping up with my hot lists,…read moreyou know that this is the way to my 5-star affection. Be on the lookout for for the NBS sign, because we were absolutely baffled at first as to where this place actually exitsted (76 seems like a fairly straightforward number, but the entrance isn't off marchmount...) Great cosy little bar that suits the locals in the know. NBS has some well-crafted cocktails that packed quite a punch and a chilled out atmosphere. There's a couple of small little private caves with mini flatscreens and pillows if your group wants to be a bit away from the crowd, otherwise plop down on one of the cushy leather sofas and sip the night away. We were there on a Sunday night so it was pretty quiet, though we were told that it does pack up a bit more on prime nights. All in all, the NBS is a great little bar that delivers exactly what you would expect from this neighborhood.

It's 5pm, I'm starving and tired…read more Simon - What are you doing tonight? Eric - Damned if I know. You? Simon - Come out with my friends and I. Eric - Done. Two hours and an unappetising avocado and chicken pesto sandwich from Pret A Manger (that's a review for another time) later, I met my friend at The New Bloomsbury Set. There was a lovely blast wall of air-conditioning as soon as I walked down the stairs and entered the bar. It is small and minimalistic and comfortable. Those things don't always go hand in hand but Jez has pulled it off somehow and I thank him for it. If you take a look at the wall on your left as you enter you will see three little alcoves that look like they may have been storage space at one time. I didn't have a chance to ask but they've been gussied up as a nice little chill out space. Throw pillows and carpets make these little spaces nice and cosy but don't completely alienate you from the rest of the room. They have a full bar with a wonderful drink menu and plenty of beers to suit a number of tastes. It's a safe bet that you're in good hands unless you only drink odd things like 20 year aged mescal. I have a light hearted warning to pass on about the hall outside the bathrooms. There is a disco ball and coloured lighting so beware. A dance party might just break out. If you happen to be looking for a nice, intimate place to have a drink and relax then I highly recommend The New Bloomsbury Set.

Lovely bar, I felt like I was in an american speakeasy! The lighting was perfect, great decor,…read morethere is plenty of seating and I loved the music. I sat at the bar as all the booths were taken and the staff were really friendly and never let my glass go empty, which is really appreciated as the bar was full. No waving down for another round here! I stuck to the gin cocktails and tried the Bouquet Garni & Stone 75, with Stone 75 being my favourite. The barman was able to offer advice when choosing, so helped me decide on what was best for my taste. So it was perfect. There is a pool table at the front of the bar, which my friend and I had a play at, which was quite cool, you don't often get a pool table in a nice bar and people generally had one game and sat down, nobody hogged the table. I will definitely be returning and it was a great result to discover this place on my first visit to the area.

And, your welcome - because BELIEVE me after a visit to original sin you will be saying thank-you…read moreand singing this joints praises. Hands down my new favourite bar in London (and that is a BIG statement) the staff are absolutely fantastic they know there stuff back to front and inside out. You can order from the well thought out menu or they will whip you up something freestyle to your liking. I have never encountered such incredible mixology, service and genuinely enthusiastic staff. However after 2 tasty tipple I would not suggest trying your hand at the old school pool table - your not going to win there. I almost don't want to post this - just to keep this wee place all to myself!

Scarfes Bar is expensive and exclusive but absolutely worth it. We came on a Saturday and had to…read morewait about 30-45 minutes to be seated. The bouncer was quite lovely and chatted with us about his favorite drinks and how the bar got its theme (beyond the namesake, of course). Vibes inside were great. Comfy seating, live jazz, quick service, and walls covered in Scarfe's art. Bar snacks were good. When we went, the menu was themed by the Heroes & Villains personas of iconic English figures like Paul McCartney, Richard Branson, etc. Featuring art on each page of the menu, of course. Every cocktail was great and very unique. One I got came with a cracker filled with goat cheese as a garnish. They are way more intricate than what you'd expect from the menu. Definitely would recommend to lovers of cocktail bars and unique experiences!

There is a reason that Scarfes Bar is listed as one of the top 50 bars in the world. Actually,…read morethere are a few reasons: 1. The cocktails and mocktails are flawless. I don't drink alcohol, so I've had my share of afterthoughts; here the mocktails are given just as much care as their alcohol laden counterparts. 2. The ambiance is just so. The vibe is cosy drawing room cum old-fashioned, members-only club complete with comfy chairs, marble topped tables, and a fireplace. The featured artwork by Gerald Scarfes is delightful. 3. The service is top-notch: Friendly without being intrusive, extremely knowledgeable, confident. 4. Great live music.