Bars & Pubs

By Ben McFarland

This fun and friendly rock ’n’ rollmops Swedish music bar on sits on the outskirts of the City near Liverpool Street, down the road that’s cornered by Dirty Dick’s.

It makes the bold, and somewhat bizarre, claim to be the ‘happiest place in London’. It’s certainly not the hippest place in London, with decor that’s more ’80s soft rock than death metal.

The black lacquer bar and floor, portraits of guitar legends on the wall, gleaming pillars and shiny new sofas are just waiting to be scuffed. As rock bars go, it’s more Sharon Osbourne than Lemmy.

Ironic imbibing can be had with tequila sunrises and Long Island iced teas on the cocktail menu alongside rock-themed concoctions. Beer boffins beware, the draught Adnams was in poor condition on our visit, so we opted for Asahi and a bottle of Bishops Finger instead.

Rocking out is hungry business, but fans of the Swedish Chef from ‘The Muppets’ will be disappointed to discover that the menu doesn’t feature ‘chocolate mooose-mooose’ or ‘chicky in da basky’.

Swedish specialities include meatballs, pickled herring, wild boar, caviar and beef Rydberg, which is a luxury hash with mustard cream.

A smattering of Scandinavians, plus some wide-striding, boot-and-tight-jeans-wearing, paunch-carrying rock types pack in for the pinball, pool and a generously stocked Wurlitzer jukebox.

Every so often it hosts a Scandinavian-themed event, such as a crayfish party involving beer, schnapps and the deliberately noisy slurping of crayfish shells.

Time Out London Issue 2040: September 24-30 2009