The ViewLondon Review
64th and Social claims to have the smallest kitchen in London. And what do you do with the smallest kitchen in London? Produce delicious, well-priced steaks, of course.
The Venue
Located on a prime spot on Clapham High Street, think black on black and you get an idea as to the colour scheme of this brooding bar. There’s no mistaking it, despite a sizeable upstairs seating area and downstairs dance floor, the main bar area is narrow and a bit of a squeeze on a heaving Saturday night. Book one of a handful of comfortable booths if you want to settle in for the evening. In the summer months on rare warm days the front floor-to-ceiling windows are flung open and a couple of benches outside are popular.
The Atmosphere
64th and Social is one sexy little bar but it delivers on everything it promises. That’s why a thriving crowd of attractive Claphamites descend on it in their droves, dancing in the narrow aisles and canoodling in booths. It’s a laid back crowd, but one that likes to get glammed up, although you won’t feel out of place in jeans.
On Thursdays, incredibly polished live acts take to the stage, playing a mix of toe-tapping tunes. At the weekends, food isn’t served and the party atmosphere takes hold with a mix of dance and commercial tunes played by a DJ.
The Food
This is how to put together a bar menu. One page is all you get and they offer only steaks - and excellent steaks at that. For prices under £15 for a steak dinner, it’s hard to ignore.
You start by choosing the cut of meat – an 8oz fillet or 12oz rib-eye or sirloin are all equally good quality. They’re cooked perfectly to specification – the medium-rare is delightfully pink throughout the middle. Next, choose ‘the starch’ - a handful of potato-based options. The garlic mash is a good choice; it’s creamy with a strong aftertaste of garlic that melts in the mouth. Just beware the baked potato if you’re counting the calories. It isn’t, as you might expect, the healthy option, covered as it is in sour cream, but then who cares when it’s so good? Sides keep it simple: the sweet cherry tomatoes are cooked so they’re just warm and soft; the Portobello mushroom is large, warm and full of deep, earthy flavours. Finally, select a sauce. The foie gras butter is the highlight here, with a strong, meaty undertone and a buttery texture that complements the steaks well.
The Drink
Although 64th and Social offer wine, beer (including a decent Asahi on tap) and champagne, the cocktails are the star and they’re well priced at £6.50-£7.
Helpfully, the bar has reduced its old lengthy bar menu to something more succinct. Charmingly divided up into categories the Bartenders’ Choice, Weirdos, Wall of Fame, Innovations and Confectionary, they deliver on quality. Try ‘Weirdo’ Breakfast at Kevin’s (bacon-infused Four Roses bourbon, angostura bitters, Canadian maple syrup and orange oils; £7) for a drink that picks up on the classic American flavours of smoky bacon and sweet maple syrup. Genius. And if you prefer something more girly the Confectionary offering Sexual Chocolate (Cariel vanilla vodka, Cointreau, Briottet white creme de cacao, sugar, fresh watermelon and flaked white chocolate; £6.50) is sweet, easy to drink and has a strong hit of watermelon. The bar staff here care about what they do and have a passion for it. A passion that charmingly shines through.
The Last Word
64th and Social is a great little find along Clapham High Street. Not just for locals, it’s worth making the trip.
64th and Social has been reviewed by 15 users