Time Out rating:
<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
User ratings:
<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
Rate this
Time Out says
Fri Mar 4 2011
Close to Clapham Common, next to the Picturehouse and set slightly back from the chavalcade of chain bars on the High Street, is a new vinyl-clad venue on Venn Street (hence the name).
The site that formerly housed Gilt has been remodelled into a rock and roll drinker bedecked in bare brick with splashes of neon, its walls adorned with retro album covers, flyers, music memorabilia and other bits of pop paraphernalia.
Even the gents toilets have been given a musical makeover with bawdy album covers featuring boobs and babes and ranging from Burt Bacharach to Bolero and Boy George.
Spread over two levels, its leather couches and velvet stools are usually filled with a typically comfortable-looking and not overly rock 'n' roll Clapham crowd. The whole place feels a little too designed and deliberate, like an English rugby player with a tattoo, and needs some serious scruffing-up.
But while it lacks the authentic down and dirty vibe of, say, a Dalston dive bar, the drinks more than delivered. Cocktails cover twists on some classics and tongue-in-cheek kitsch with options including the AC/Daiquiri, the Pina Colada and the Raisins ‘n’ Apricots made with apricot-infused Woodford Reserve bourbon and Pedro Ximenez sherry.
It's good to see a broader view of beers too with Brewdog’s Punk IPA and 77Lager available alongside Estaminet, a crisp pilsner from Belgium, and a kriek (cherry) beer. There are no eating options as yet but food, according to the staff, will be served from late March/early April – the plan being to serve US-style pizzas.
Each night, apart from Monday when it’s closed, there’s a different take on the tuneage. Tuesdays is indie night and 2-4-1 on cocktails. while it gets lively on Friday and Saturday nights. There's even live music on a Sunday.
Comments & ratings