Why anyone would walk past some of the most interesting bars in Central London to go to chain-pub-esque Strawberry Moons is surprising - and yet they do, because the place is rammed with drunken after work party types several nights of the week. Check out the low, low prices and you'll soon see why.

The Venue
Strawberry Moons shares street space with the Ice Bar, Momo and a whole selection of other funky bars and restaurants in the glorious enclave that is Heddon Street, just off Regent Street. Attractively lit by twinkling fairylights in winter, the exterior of Heddon Street feels like London ought to feel. However, go in to Strawberry Moons and you could be in any pub in any town in the UK. It's big, with a dancefloor, neon lights, and faux-chalk board signs. However, the floor is cracked, some of the seats are a little worn, and it could do with brighter lighting (although the dimness probably hides a multitude of sins).

The Atmosphere
From being a reasonable place to grab an unaffected drink early in the evening (with a cheap as chips happy hour), the atmosphere changes as the night creeps in and the music is turned up. More and more people arrive, packing the joint out, and it turns from an OK drinking hole into an astonishingly cheesy, slightly unpleasant and sweaty club. And, unless you're a student, don't go on Wednesday (student night). The students aren't the problem: it's the staff, who wrench your glasses off you at 9pm on the dot (whether there is drink in them or no) to replace them with plastics.

The Music
Cheese, cheese and more cheese. Expect Bon Jovi tunes mixed in with power ballads and old school 80s classics. However, it's kinda fun if you want a no-frills boogy and don't take it too seriously.

The Food
The grub at Strawberry Moons is OK - sharing platters for a tenner are a good bet. But it's not really a gourmet joint, and to give it credit, that's not what it positions itself as either.

The Drink
There’s a huge selection at Strawberry Moons, catering for all tastes. The cocktail menu is almost bewilderingly huge, but the cocktails themselves are mediocre at best. Even the traditional ones - like a mojito - are strangely lacking in taste, sugar being the dominant flavour. Beers served without head is never a very good sign – but for this part of London, the prices are very, very low.

The Last Word
Strawberry Moons isn’t worth a special trip: but it’s also unlikely to go out of business any time soon thanks to the hordes of after-work types who flock here.

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