The Exhibit

Still one of the better spots on the Balham social scene, The Exhibit attempts, & almost manages, to be all things to all comers. The bar on the ground floor is designed for casual drinking & meeting with friends. It doesn’t burst with character (that comes from the clientele), but the cocktails are on the button – the list is more impressive than the beers or wines – & bar snacks offer ballast by means of cod & chorizo fishcakes, dips & suchlike. Upstairs, the Med-style restaurant has been replaced by a new diner, where burgers, steaks, ribs & weekend brunches hold sway (plus salads, & a few main courses such as Jack Daniels-glazed salmon). One floor higher is a cinema, seating just over 20 people: ideal for private screenings.