As Essex bars and outer London clubs vie for customers, If Bar gets it right. Even Kelly Rowland thinks so – she ‘put it down’ at her own club night here.

The Venue
If Bar is a restaurant, bar and club complex that has just undergone a £3.5 million refurbishment – and boy does it show. This place is simply stunning. It’s an amalgamation of crazily designed areas all joined by the desire to look impressive. One bar area is decked out to look like a dark bat’s cave, in contrast to another space with branch-like divides, a muted blue colour scheme and designer high stools and booths. Then there’s the LED dancefloor (classier than it sounds!) and the more laid back dining and bar area with a neutral colour scheme. And you must check out the garden, even if it’s the winter and you’re not a smoker. Here you’ll find a huge 1000 square metre space with mini golf, giant chess and beautiful fountains. It’s the kind of place you’re more likely to find in an exotic holiday location rather than Ilford. A wonderful surprise.

The Atmosphere
During the week, salsa, comedy and live acts are commonplace, and If Bar has a decidedly laid back appeal that’s geared up towards the locals. At the weekend this all changes and this turns into a large club with upbeat tunes and a big party crowd. It manages to walk the line between its various facades very well and their purpose never seems confused or awkward, which is to their credit.

The Music
If Bar has regular club nights playing everything from RnB and funky house through to club classics. They also host big-name DJ nights with ticket prices in excess of £10. However, their biggest coup to date was getting X Factor judge and all-round superstar Kelly Rowland to host one of their events. Yup, it doesn’t get much ‘cooler’ than that round these parts.

The Food
They have a large menu on offer at If Bar, although the strange mix of mezze dishes, nachos, pizzas, spaghetti carbonara and lasagne isn’t particularly appealing – more of a Jack of all trades than anything particularly impressive. Still, with most of the dishes priced at under £10, it certainly is a cheap dinner.

The Drink
Three white wines, three red wines, two roses and three sparkling options make up the decidedly unimpressive wine selection, although with almost all of the bottles coming in at under £15 you won’t end up maxing out your credit card. A few cocktails extend the selection, although syrup features heavily and the quality is questionable. Bizarrely, the best part of their drink offer is the delicious choice of milkshakes, which include biscuit and cake shakes, smoothies and chocolate bar shakes. Yes, they do taste as good as they sound!

The Last Word
The setting at If Bar is simply gorgeous and although the food and drink isn’t quite up to the level of top central London clubs, if it’s good enough for Kelly Rowland…

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