Bars & Pubs

The choice at this South African bar is staggering. Some 75 cocktails, more than 100 wines (a third of which are available by the glass) and 20 beers (nearly all bottled) are offered in a contemporary interior decorated with safari images. Behind is the restaurant proper, but decent bar food includes lunchtime salads and sandwiches (chicken caesar wraps, £7) and booze-soaking evening snacks (satays, spring rolls, koftas, £9). As well as all the classics, slick and professional staff fix excellent cape martinis (£7.50) of cape gooseberries mixed with apricot jam, sultana-infused Whitley Neill gin, orange bitters and cranberry. Beers (£3.50) include Windhoek, Savanna and Castle from southern Africa, wines an Ormer Bay fair trade chenin blanc (£4.70/£17.50) and a Brampton shiraz/viognier (£29) of similar provenance.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9