Al's Café Bar

With its huge windows overlooking Exmouth Market, Al’s is at its best in summertime when chatty punters spill out on to the pavement by the pair of cheery classic red phone boxes. Inside, a blue ceiling bedecked with faux art nouveau chandeliers contrasts with bright red walls and exposed metal ducting. Seating is an eclectic mix of red chesterfields, black leather sofas and utilitarian chairs, reflecting a similarly eclectic clientele: gaggles of women, media blokes and arty types sporting thick-rim specs. The bar (an imposing slab of concrete) is a shrine to continental booze, particularly wheat beers such as the caramel-tinged König Ludwig – though the friendly bar staff are as happy to serve you a cocktail or a coffee. On busy nights there’s a downstairs bar that some find bunkerish, but we think is a cool concrete den brightened by illuminated 1960s images.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008

Services:

Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: high chairs
Function room: Function room
Music: DJ 10pm Thur-Sat; free
Outdoor tables: 12, pavement
TV: TVs

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