• Bars and pubs
  • price 2 of 4
  • Battersea
  • Recommended

Review

Cartel (CLOSED)

3 out of 5 stars

A mezcal, tequila and taco bar in Battersea.

Advertising

Time Out says

Please note, Cartel is now closed. Time Out Editors, February 2019.

Mezcal and tacos are achingly, unavoidably ‘in’ at the moment, so it was a surprise that Cartel – a Battersea joint specialising in both – was near empty on my Thursday night visit. That might be because the box of a room (dominated by a spacious bar area) is clearly designed for buzzy weekend boozing. But it was more likely down to the dreamy alt-country music being blasted out at high volume, courtesy of a guitar-twiddling chap on the floor. A shame really, as it’s a pretty nifty place: bare-brick walled, with faux Mexican ephemera dotted about, and party-ready.

This is primarily a place for knocking back cocktails (or straight spirits – there’s a hidden mezcal tasting room that staff can grant permission to), and the drinks are good. Pasión del Mezcalero was warming, citrussy and heady with alcohol while a Tommy’s Margarita (with agave in place of triple sec) was a zesty foil to the food, the highlights of which were moreish chorizo-stuffed quesadillas and brilliant mango-topped and pulled-pork-piled corn tacos. Excellent booze food, basically. Modish it might be, but Cartel mostly hits its target.

Details

Address
517-519 Battersea Park Road
Battersea
London
SW11 3BN
Transport:
Battersea Park rail.
Do you own this business?Sign in & claim business
Advertising
London for less
    You may also like
    You may also like