Square Meal’s bar seeker extraordinaire Keith Barker-Main doesn’t do London drinking by halves: on any given night, you might find him dabbling with Dirty Martinis in deepest Clapham, playing the Jailbird in Kentish Town or mulling over Mayfair’s newest mixes. Need to find out where to drink and where to ditch in the capital? Read on for the latest Barker-Main bar verdicts.
Catford Constitutional Club (above)
Where: Catford Broadway, SE6 4SP
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘This creaking pile (abandoned for more than 20 years) has been transformed into a modern social. Thankfully, the food and alcohol selection isn’t remotely shabby…’
Click here for Keith’s full review
The Coborn (below)
Where: 8 Coborn Road, E3 2DA
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘Young’s repositioning of The Coborn hasn’t been unanimously lauded by locals, but at least the old girl hasn’t been converted into flats. Hold that thought while sipping a pint from Meantime, Camden or Truman’s.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
Dirty Martini Clapham
Where: 67 Clapham High Street, SW4 7TG
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘It feels like an airport lounge at New York’s JFK, circa 1958. Enjoy generous flavoured Martinis such as winter pear, chocolate, spiced blackberry, mango and chilli, or blood-orange and vanilla...’
Click here for Keith’s full review
El Ganso
Where: 59 Broadway Market, E8 4PH
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘Sip cracking cava (from £5.50 a glass), chilled Catalan rosé, light and lively organic Mariona Alicante Bouschet (£24), or florid white Rioja from a 50-strong wine list.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
The Horse and Groom Fitzrovia
Where: 128 Great Portland Street, W1W 6PS
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘A beautiful boozer, comprising public, snug and saloon bars where reasonably priced wines, five ales on tap – from owners, Samuel Smith of North Yorkshire – and around two dozen bottled beers are served.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
The Horse and Groom Shoreditch (above)
Where: 28 Curtain Road, EC2A 3NZ
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘This old Shoreditch alehouse is now colloquially referred to as the ‘disco pub’. The rickety Georgian boozer’s twin dance floors get hectic and steamy at weekends when house, funk, garage and rare groove rule.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
Jailbird
Where: 300 Kentish Town Road, NW5 2TG
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘We didn’t warm to this bare, bland, boring blood-red mirrored box, although Picklebacks, Brooklyn lager and £5 Margaritas and Mojitos may keep some boys happy.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
Love Die Late (above)
Where: 114 Great Portland Street, W1W 6PH
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘Modern mixes include Land of Grace (Diplomatico Reserva rum, aged white port and clover honey) and various Slings and Sours all at £9. In all, a fascinating Fitzrovia indie.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
Terrace Bar at The Chesterfield Mayfair (below)
Where: 35 Charles Street, W1J 5EB
Barker-Main in bite-size:
‘A cracking cocktail list, prepared by suave chaps in crisp white tuxes, provides amusing innovation alongside affordable classics.’
Click here for Keith’s full review
When we said Keith doesn’t do drinking by halves, we weren’t kidding: click here for even more Barker-Main bar tips.
This article was published 27 May 2015