A lick of paint and refit of wooden floors has tried to revive what was once one of Brixton’s most notorious playgrounds.

The Venue
Out of Brixton station and a few minutes’ walk up Atlantic Road you’ll stumble across the Beach Bar, tucked away on the outskirts of the market.

A run of the mill late night DJ bar, you’ll find that place names can be misleading, like expecting to find a zoo animal in Elephant and Castle or a place of worship in Temple. Although you’ll hardly be expecting to find the sands of Copa Cabana washed up on the back end of Coldharbour Lane, a set of bland wooden tables, minimal bar, and an overall featureless decor hardly make you feel like slapping on the sun cream.

The Atmosphere
The former Tongue and Groove was a stomping ground for local partygoers with an ear for seriously good soulful house. These days, you’re more likely to find a group of office workers out for those well overdue Saturday night drinks or inebriated folk who seem more interested swinging themselves about a barren dancefloor than recognising any kind of talent behind the decks, which is fine, but only if that’s all you’re after.

The Music
A saving grace at Brixton Beach Bar is the music, which heads up a cocktail blend of deep soulful house, Latin, Afro and broken beats, funk and a sprinkling of classic hip hop and RnB for good measure.

The Drink
You would expect the drinks at Beach Bar to be on the reasonable side considering the bar’s local feel, but with cocktails at £6.50 a pop and spirits ranging from above the £6 mark, the drinks have no holiday feel.

The Last Word
For a place that once made its mark as one of Brixton’s best kept secrets, it’s a shame that a refurb has done nothing but damage Beach Bar’s reputation. However, if you fancy a late night cocktail and drunken shimmy and you’re in the area then stagger on down.

venue information venue map view london review add a review