Shed

If you spot a subtle but persistent photographic theme at this distinctive Haggerston bar-café-wine-shop, then congratulations, you cultured boozer, it’s deliberate. That’s because it’s part of Shed London, a new-build space where creatives can hire out photo studios and desks.

Think of it as a cool office canteen for the area’s budding Nick Knights and David Baileys. If that all sounds a bit too arty, fear not. The space is clinical, and it looks as much like a gallery as a bar. But it’s not unfriendly. Staff were welcoming, and they care about their wine, regularly changing the well-curated menu and bottles to take away. I tried a very good organic French red from Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s Clos Saint Jean, smartly chilled for a warm evening.

Sweet touches abound, such as big, brown, stubby glass water bottles – the sort that would once have contained chemicals. They make you think of harried ’70s photojournalists, labouring away in rooms bathed in red light, waiting for their killer shots to appear.

Beyond wine, the rest of the menu is limited but interesting, with coffee and snacks during the day, craft beers and ciders at night. Give it 20 years, I reckon, and the kids will be scratching their heads over a bar themed around the inner workings of Instagram.