Firefly City

Standing in the shadow of the Old Bailey, this outpost of Balham’s Firefly is a multi-storey pleasure dome decked out with red banquettes, sultry lighting & gilded mirrors. The basement room is a hive of revelry come payday – although the CAMRA clan won’t find much to cheer about when it comes to the names on the taps. Run-of-the-mill lagers are the order of the day, so it’s worth checking out the rather more exciting possibilities on the cocktail list – from textbook bloody Marys to pick-me-up espresso martinis (a mix of Russian Standard vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur & espresso). There’s also a fairly priced selection of wines & fizz, too. The bar upstairs offers a predictable array of sharing platters & stomach-lining platefuls, including fish & chips, fancy burgers & lasagne.