SimmonS combine the look and feel of a granny’s living room with unpretentious house party fun at their unique little King’s Cross teahouse and bar.

The Venue
Just past King’s Cross station lies SimmonS, a teeny bar with oddball furnishings and kitsch, cool accessories. Red patterned armchairs are eccentrically mixed with wicker chairs, wooden tables and some very funky purple patterned wallpaper. A collection of lamps of all shapes and sizes are displayed along the venue’s upper shelving and an impressive collection of empty beer cans (crossing borders and eras) fills a large bookshelf. Claustrophobes beware - this place is short on space. Big groups might have difficulties sitting together during peak times, although there is another tiny room on the floor below with more seating and equally interesting decor.

During daylight hours, SimmonS plays the role of a teahouse, but as night falls expect a bar with music. DJs spin a variety of tunes on weekends in a fittingly compact booth. Thursday nights host myPod, a night that gives an opportunity for guests to play their favourite iPod tracks. DJs on other nights, including the intriguingly-named Mighty Spider, spin electro, house and indie, a mix that tends to blur musical boundaries.

The Atmosphere
SimmonS brings in a varied mix of laidback after-work professionals and King's Cross locals. The vibe here is very relaxed as visitors pack themselves around tables and indulge in conversation and drinks. The service is friendly and efficient, but can feel a bit chaotic at times. Despite this, SimmonS feels warm, welcoming and familiar, as if you’re visiting a house party at a friend’s flat.

The Food
Fresh and scrumptiously iced cupcakes (£1.50) are available to order with drinks, pairing perfectly with a cuppa but also splendidly with a cocktail. Fresh sandwiches may include the chicken, pesto and mozzarella (£3.00), and toasties (£1.50) are also available. SimmonS offers a range of retro classic bar snacks as well, including caramel popcorn, Tunnocks caramel wafers, pork scratchings and more, all for around 50p-60p each.

The Drink
Beer fans are in for a treat, and those who aren’t too keen on beer might be swayed at SimmonS. Beer on tap includes the uncommon sight of Tiger (£3.70) and there is a wide array of fun and fruity beers served by the bottle. From a selection of about 8-10, the Floris Passion (£3.20) is a passion-fruit-infused beer that mixes the flavourful tang of its namesake fruit. Lindemans Pecheresse (£3.90), a Belgian peach beer, is a popular choice and really tastes of ripe, sweet peaches.

Tea cups aren’t reserved just for the tea at SimmonS. Cocktails, traditionally served in Martini glasses, are served up in delicate cups and saucers. Try the crudely named Sex with a Lad cocktail, a yummy mix of Amaretto, Frangelico, lime, orange and sugar shaken on ice and served in a pretty tea cup – not laddish at all but a big hit with the girls and boys in attendance.

Wine is also served by the glass (£3.50 for a small glass) and by the bottle (£10-£12), and the selection varies day to day. If tea is more your thing, SimmonS serves pots (£1.75) all day and night in a wide variety of herbal and traditional flavours. Dainty tea cups and saucers make their appearance again with tea orders.

The Last Word
A quirky and friendly little venue that blurs the boundaries of teahouse and bar in order to show that cupcakes, pots of tea, cocktails and fruit beers need not be mutually exclusive.

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