Hive

Does the Hive buzz? Well, in part. This well-attired spot off Brixton’s main drag is half calm ground-floor restaurant & half lively first-floor bar. Begin the evening with some capable Mediterranean-inspired cooking: pea & chorizo soup, say, followed by a spiced salmon burger with garlic fries, then a chocolate mousse with almond biscotti. Sit on the small street-side terrace if weather permits. Afterwards, head upstairs for some cocktails & tunes from the DJ. An imaginative drinks list includes the likes of Bambi’s apples (Havana Especial rum, Manzana Verde apple liqueur, fresh ginger & maple syrup). A two-for-£10 offer on cocktails runs from Sunday to Thursday, which means a three-course meal, half-bottle of house wine & an upstairs creation from the mixologist will leave you with change from £30.