The Market Bar

When the Market Bar launched 20-odd years ago, it was an overnight sensation adopted by Rasta dreads & wheeler-dealer yuppies. The appeal was obvious: stripped floorboards, a reclaimed back bar, ornate mirrors, open fires, old church candelabra casting a soft light – not to mention Nick Kamen in the corner with Sade, whose latest sultry groove wafted out of the speakers. Heck, it even had an opium den turned Thai restaurant upstairs. All these years later, nothing much has changed at this original style bar/gastropub: it’s simply that the rest of the world has caught up. So celebrate this Portobello fixture’s survival over a Beck’s, Red Stripe or maybe a Moscow Mule, then nip above for some tom yum & noodles. The market is an institution & although Sade’s been replaced by funk & garage, the 46-year-old Nick Kamen might still be in the house.