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Aquum
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© Nina Kathryn Claridge
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By Ben McFarland
You'll find Aquum on the High Street of Clapham, otherwise known as the holding chamber between school and the university of life. It's an ill-conceived exercise in over-the-top ostentation guarded by intimidating-looking sorts and drenched in the kind of bling that lost its shine back in 2002. Sparse and stark with white walls, cheesy chandeliers and ultra-violet lighting, with all the charm of a Dubai hotel foyer designed by a footballer’s wife.
While most bars have one cocktail list, Aquum feels the need to have two – and they even have names. The drinks and prices on the ‘Moonlight’ menu are stiffer than those on the ‘Sunset’ menu. If confused, and you won’t be the only one, order a Negra Modelo, Mexico’s best beer. The food involves tapas-style sharing platters at £19 a throw.
There's not much entertainment, apart from insipid bounce-and-boing R&B. Best relocate to the mezzanine-level VIP room for the prime seats, but only if you’re a very important person. The regulars are mainly the diamond-earring crowd, haughty Hugos and laydeez with a good line in tottering.
‘Where and when did it all go wrong?’ And that was them asking, not me thinking aloud.Time Out London Issue 2017: April 16-22 2009
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Details
- 68-70 Clapham High Street, Clapham, SW4 7UL
- Area: Clapham
- Tel: 020 7627 2726
- Book online
- Category: Bars & Pubs
- Travel: Clapham Common tube
- Times: 10am-3am Mon-Thur, Sun; 10am-4am Fri, Sat
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I won't ever go back here. Was there late on a Saturday, and the atmosphere was awful. Nasty crowd, just waiting to kick off.
Awful & tacky. That white leather looked bad enough when it was new, but it is already looking tired. I'm sure people will get bored and move on soon enough.
Masha - I think your bad experience has helped the venue. The last few times I have been the food has been delicious and the service greatly improved. I also love the terrace, perfect for the sunny days and ideal if any of your friends smoke! I live in the area and this has become my favorite watering hole! I would definitely recommend.
I went hear for breakfast and have never been back since, the service was TERRIBLE. There was 7 of us, so you would think they would be jumping at the chance to squeeze money out of us. But no, our drinks order (a few cokes and coffees) came 30 minutes later with the coffees being cold. The food we ordered came after an HOUR and the food was also cold and completely inedible. Having said that the waitress said we didnt have to pay, and apologised profusely, she then begged us to come back for a drink in the evenings and said that they are much better as a 'cocktail bar'.
I popped into this bar early on a Thursday evening, had a quick bite to eat and a couple of glasses of wine. I found the deco beautiful you couldn't fault it! The food was gorgeous. Down side it will attract people who THINK their so cool !
The food as very nice altho the portion sizes were minute..my meal came with 9 chips....has no happy hour and there is not a good selections of drinks.
Tacky, pretentious and expensive
Went to this bar for the first time on Saturday night, so over the top for Clapham High Street,....deco and clientele that i found the all thing quite entertaining...