Bars & Pubs

Numidie's ground floor bistro is one of south London's most cherished cultural retreats, and this subterranean cocktail cave is the jewel in its crown. As upstairs, the marriage of French and Algerian influences couldn't be more harmonious - from the Jacques Brel poster on the peeling red walls to barman Hamed's globe-trotting musical mixes, which deliver plenty of African and Middle Eastern promise when jazz bands aren't treading the boards. Hamed is also a dab hand at inventing cocktails - his Berbere Fruit Cup (£5.50) mixes eight-year-old Wild Turkey with fresh lemon and orange juice and maraschino - plus there's a reasonably priced wine list alongside Kronenbourg on tap and Leffe, Casablanca and London Pride in bottles.

Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9