Bars & Pubs

Very much a weekend venue, this compact, keen-to-be-cool cocktail bar is still searching for a market during the week - something a 2008 relaunch under new management aims to address. The monthly wine tasting and mixology nights are a start, the latter consisting of cocktail classes for beginners. The resident musical duo on Tuesday nights has injected life into proceedings too. And though the friendly staff can't be faulted, the slightly awkward ground-floor space still feels like an unsolved puzzle. The cosier, characterful basement full of sofas and mirrors is the perfect antidote. Here an inbuilt DJ booth provides the soundtrack for lively Friday and Saturday nights.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9