The chilled out atmosphere of a pub meets the style of a bar at Potion; an easygoing local with no airs and graces. It’s the ideal place to pop into after a hard day’s graft if you don't have much cash to splash.

The Venue
Set in the heart of Fitzrovia, it’s hard to miss this large corner-positioned bar. The sprawling Potion Bar is set across three floors. The ground floor is a simple, laid back area with three well-placed flatscreen televisions and plenty of seating. The bar won’t have you waiting long even at happy hour and it won’t be so busy that you’re squashed into your fellow punters’ elbows - though the black bar stools are a little small, so you may feel like you’re perching rather than sitting back and relaxing. Upstairs is available for private hire and is a quieter dining space, whilst downstairs is a club-like basement with cavernous seating areas and ample space for a late night dance.

In the summer, the outside seating area is great for watching the world go by with a smooth pint of Guinness, and there’s even another flatscreen TV facing outwards so you can watch the box whilst you bask in the sun.

The Atmosphere
The bar stools, glowing cocktail bar and high tables may be all the ingredients for an upmarket bar but the atmosphere begs to differ. With happy hour taken up by equally happy post-work drinkers, the atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and very much like a cosy pub, only without the soft furnishings and bad music. The bar staff are eager to please and never keep you waiting to quench your thirst, whilst the loud music has everyone in good spirits - even if you can’t hear what they’re saying.

The Food
The menu at Potion is impressive for a bar, ranging from salads to seafood platters. There are lunchtime specials offering such offers as a half price drink with a main meal. Prices are reasonable, with a delicious charcuterie platter serving 3 to 4 people at only £16.50, or bar nibbles starting at £3.50. The food is not spectacular but you won’t be coming here for a slap-up meal; the homemade beef burgers, sausage ciabattas and simple tagliatelle are easy meals that accompany your evening drink.

Their large portion of nachos is great value to share, covered in salsa, guacamole and sour cream and is only £4.95 - the flavours are a little spiceless but it’s a decent evening snack with your glass of wine. Most main meals are £6-£7, which isn’t bad for Central London and the portions will leave you fully satisfied.

The Drink
There’s not a lot missing from the drinks list at Potion Bar with Corona, Tiger and Becks on offer for just £3. Beers on tap start at £3.10 and include Guinness, Heineken, Old Speckled Hen, Amstel and Peroni, and they also have London Pride bitter for £3.

For £4 you can get the party started with shooters, with intriguing selections such as the Apple Crumble (whisky, apple schnapps and Baileys) and the Death Drop (tequila, chartreuse, absinthe and tobasco) for those feeling adventurous. Potion Bar has a fairly decent cocktail list, with martinis costing just £5.50. Their signature Potion cocktail doesn’t look too appetising with its green syrupy appearance, but tastes of alcoholic apples and is surprisingly pleasant. Their more exciting cocktails include the Southern Dancer, a delicious pink drink for the girls containing Southern Comfort, vodka, peach schnapps, passion fruit and cranberry juice. With a strong cranberry juice flavour, the Southern Comfort is pleasantly subtle. If you prefer the classics then the mojito is so strong in its citrus sourness that it leaves a sting in your mouth.

The Last Word
Potion Bar is ideal for a post-work night out on the cheap. Who knew Fitzrovia could be credit crunch friendly?

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