Barcadia is a late night bar in Kingston and one of the more upmarket venues in the town. It offers a funky experience, which is a welcome change from the usual student bars often found in the area.

The Venue
Barcadia is conveniently located a stone’s throw from Kingston’s National Rail station and there are a number of 24-hour bus services outside. The decor is sleek but quirky with a variety of seating options; bar stools, tall tables and armchairs.

The bar is quite small, providing an intimate experience. Upon entering, you have the bar on the right, outdoor area on the left and dancefloor in the center. The outdoor area is covered and decked - much appreciated by smokers. It avoids the shunned feeling of standing in a designated alleyway juggling an umbrella, lighter and cigarette, which seems to happen more often than not in clubs in London. Standing outside, you can still hear the music and feel involved in the bar environment whilst enjoying being in the fresh air.

The Atmosphere
The clientele here are friendly, as are the door staff and bartenders. The bar is popular for after work drinks as well as a big night out. The vibe is social and the bar offers areas to chat with friends as well as a dancefloor. Barcadia gives you the experience of a London bar in Surrey, and depending on the night and time you can have an intimate drink with friends or dance to house music.

The Music
The music played at Barcadia is, on the whole, house but DJs play different styles from night-to-night. If you’re looking for house music then this is the place to go as it avoids the commercial music that is found in Kingston and offers quality tunes from resident DJs Jason North, Amy Brown, Ed Breiling, Curtis White and James Essex. All nights aside from Mondays are different genres within house, including tech, tribal, electro and sexy house. Mondays bring you alternative music with the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, Killers and Arctic Monkeys.

The Drink
The drinks are more expensive than other bars in Kingston, but this is a pay off for the improved experience. There are a number of cocktails for you to choose from including the delicious Toblerone (frangelico, vanilla vodka, creme de cacao, cream and honey), all priced at £7 along with Champagne cocktails and martini cocktails.

The wine list is not extensive but there are seven Champagne options ranging from a Lanson black Label for £39.95 to your Cristal for £220. On certain nights they offer jelly shots for two pounds, which are always good fun.

The Last Word
Definitely worth a visit, you’ll most likely find yourself coming back. Barcadia is comfortable, well decorated, plays quality music and always brings in a good crowd.

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