Bars & Pubs

Hidden down a quaint alley, and seemingly frozen in 1984, the Retro Bar is one of London's most eccentric gay bars. A framed black and white photograph of Boy George, circa Colour by Numbers, hangs above the jukebox. And what a jukebox: Grace Jones, the Buzzcocks, Visage, the Associates and a smörgåsbord of 1980s compilations. If the nostalgic soundtrack gives you a warm glow, so will the cosy decor: red and gold flock wallpaper, creaky wood floors, red leather love seats and more pop icons lining the walls (Adam Ant, Marc Bolan, Siouxsie Sioux, Sid Vicious). On our visit, Duckie hostess Amy Lamé held court at a table in a corner, white beret tilted just so. The themed nights are appropriately offbeat: there's a poptastic music quiz on Tuesdays (on one evening, the entire pub joined in to sing the chorus to the Carpenters' 'Yesterday Once More'); on Thursdays, amateur DJs can show off their record collection; every year there's a tongue-in-cheek Eurovision night. Upstairs, there's a quiet bar with more sofas and tables - an excellent venue for dates, catch-ups or reminiscing about the good old days when Boy George preferred a cup of tea to sex.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9