Apples & Pears

This imaginatively reconfigured corridor – a former mobile-phone shop done out in washed brick and Granny Smith green – boasts a lounge bar, secret beer garden and a dark, intimate clubby DJ bar (available for private hire) down the ‘apples and pears' (stairs). The area's nefarious reputation is plundered for well-crafted ‘tiddlywinks' (drinks) such as Jack the Ripper and RCR Kray (‘a couple of ‘rum ‘uns' with spices, lime and Coke). Hackney carriage (a bourbon sling) continues the Cockney charm offensive, as do cocktails served in teapots. Elsewhere, an exotic Banglatini (spiced rum, watermelon, chilli and lemon) represents today's Brick Lane. Simply add wine from £15 a bottle, plus ‘pint and a pint' offers, laddish bar snacks including wedges and nachos, and an upright ‘Joanna' (piano) – should you fancy knocking out a ‘stewed prune' (tune).