The Horse and Groom may be a little out of the way to pop in for a quiet pint but it's more than worth the effort for a visit at the weekend.

The Venue
The space at the Horse and Groom is decorated well, if perhaps pandering to the staple Shoreditch style. The fittings are original and typically pub-like but everything has been covered with black gloss and grey matt paint to bring it up to date with generation strange. The furniture is obviously leather chesterfield throughout and if the pub wasn't such an awkward distance from Shoreditch it could really tempt you in to relax during the day. The tables are a hotchpotch with chessboard prints on wood and other mixed, low oak surfaces on which to rest your drink.

The upstairs of the bar is of a grimier flavour - the tables and chairs may be present but after seeing the sweat that covers the walls on a packed Friday night you might want to think twice. There is a second bar, too, but remember it’s cash only.

The Atmosphere
The Horse and Groom attracts a young clientele, for although it originated as a traditional pub it’s now more of a late night weekend destination following a refurbishment. The people are all typically Hoxton and, due to its slightly smaller reputation than most in the area, there's not a stag do in sight. The nights here have a genuine appeal. People come here for the music, beer and each other, rather than the approval that they think they're getting by drinking here. On a Sunday, you can enjoy the community feel of the place with a roast during the day, followed by a Tropicana club night in the evening to help you forget about the far from tropic outside air.

The Music
As well as Sunday's Tropicana night (which is free entry) Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are filled with club tunes. Generally you should expect house and electronica - nothing techy or minimal but a fairly Balearic inspired sound to keep the smiles on people’s faces. On Thursdays it opens until 2am and Friday and Saturday until 4am.

The Drink
The bar is well stocked in all the major spirits, but if you're looking for something different then there's a little on offer. If you're out to embark on a big night then the emerald green of Absinthe may sparkle from the shelf and catch your eye. There is J and B, wild Turkey, Jack Daniels and Jamesons whisky but the Makers Mark is a special tipple of premium bourbon - sink it straight, hold the coke.

There is a selection of ales that rotate and a number of draught beers to wet the palate with one of the best line ups of any pub in the area - Budvar, Staropramen, Stella and Peroni are all there to be pulled.

The Last Word
The Horse and Groom has put a lot into its weekends and it’s become an excellent place to choose over the more trodden bars in the area.

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