A tiny venue with a big following, this unassuming local has made a deserving impression on the capital’s bar map and continues to claim more than just laid back Claphamites as fans.

The Venue
Come out of Clapham Common tube and Bar Local is just a hop, skip and a... Oh you’re already there. The venue is more than just small – it’s so local it can feel like your living room. The upside is that even with a handful of punters, there's a palpable party atmosphere. The space is also used well – huge aerial photographs of the local area span one wall, the DJ booth is tucked away at the back and there are even a few seats squeezed in to rest those dancing feet.

The Atmosphere
The weekend brings floor-filling house DJs, classic cocktails and modest prices, ensuring this is the main crowd-spiller of Clapham. The clientele of Bar Local can be spotted crowding outside the front door, the open windows, the corner of the street – all because this cosy bar boasts a genuine friendliness and they would rather be here than anywhere else.

The Music
The regular DJs that hit the decks at Bar Local on the weekends are surprisingly good considering the relatively diminutive nature of this DJ bar. There’s a definite house skew and provides a great soundtrack for a night out partying. Thankfully, the funky house and RnB that seems to pervade so many bars and clubs in London is happily absent here.

The Food
Superb burgers (often with weekday deals) from the Clapham Burger Company, bar snacks that fill the hole that a beer won’t, and tasty Sunday roasts make Bar Local a value-for-money venue for food with a side helping of fun.

The Drink
Monday to Thursday there are always decent drink deals at Bar Local. Welcome the week with Monday’s 2-4-1 mojitos (priced at just £6 the rest of the time) or celebrate with Cosmo (£6) night on Wednesdays. Although cocktails undoubtedly rule the roost here, unusually for such a venue you can get a decent draught beer from just £3. It’s hardly a CAMRA spot, but it’s enough to please lager lovers. If beer and cocktails don’t hit the spot then opt for a glass of reasonably priced, decent quality wine.

The Last Word
Bar Local is a great little place for a big night out. However, in amongst the fun be prepared to find plenty of toe-treading and rib-squashing.

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