Modelled on an American-style pool hall, this Shoreditch hideaway has style to burn.

The Venue
One of a city-wide chain of pool halls, the Shoreditch Elbow Room is situated on Curtain Road, with comprehensive travel links, especially since the recent opening of the East London line. A prime piece of real estate, the entire front of the buidling is made of glass windows, allowing patrons a panoramic view of Shoreditch life.

Inside, however, sombre mood lighting is the order of the day. The walls are treated throughout with classy wood panelling, occasionally interrupted by leather-lined portholes. There is seating for groups of all shapes and sizes, with leather sofas, chairs, ornate bar stools and knee-height tables littering the dining area. In between crenulated metal pillars, modern artwork lines the walls, surrounded rather jarringly by old-fashioned gilt frames, and elsewhere pot plants and flatscreen TVs abound.

The vast space snakes from the main entrance, round the central red bar, past the main pool area, and into further seating space serviced by an auxiliary bar. Several professional-level pool tables are laid out on different levels with consistently murky lighting, providing groups of friends with a much sought-after level of intimacy in which to hone their skills.

The Atmosphere
Attracting a decent cross-section of City folk and Shoreditch scenesters, the Elbow Room can at times seem too large for comfort during the sparse mid-week, but fills up considerably as the weekend approaches and the pool aficionados turn up. It’s probably best to pre-book a table to avoid the rush, with prices ranging from £6-£10/hr and a £20 deposit required. Televised sport is also a major draw, and sizeable areas can be cordoned off for parties wishing to watch all the crucial matches.

Even if there’s no room on the pool tables, there’s always space to spare for those eager to get a bite to eat or catch up with friends and co-workers, and the venue works well as a brief port of call during a night out. The music is invariably funky as hell and conducive to a party atmosphere, and the staff are a lovely bunch who offer excellent service.

The Food
Slightly pricier than many nearby outlets, the food at Elbow Room comes in generous portions but tends to underwhelm. Satisfying appetizers such as rustic chips, nachos and chicken skewers are your best bet, costing anything between £3-£6, and can be upgraded to platters for large groups (£10-£12). Fairly standard-issue burgers are also available in a number of guises, including vegetarian, chicken and even bison meat, for around £8.50.

The Drink
There are a wide range of drinks available at the bar, and with a happy hour coinciding with off-peak pool hours, the fare on offer is generally quite good value-for-money. Cocktails (usually about £5.50) are expertly prepared and delivered to your table, and there is a large selection of draught and bottled beer (£2.50-£4).

The Last Word
If its pool and a burger you’re after, you can’t really go wrong with the Elbow Room. It’s a long-standing Shoreditch institution, and rightly so.

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