156-158 Fortess Road,
Tufnell Park,
London,
NW5 2HP
(020) 7485 4033
The ViewLondon Review
Let’s be honest, there isn’t a great deal of exciting nightlife going on in Tufnell Park, which is why the opening of this good-time bar/live music venue is rather a big deal.
The Venue
Located opposite Tufnell Park tube, Aces and Eights is an easy find. From the outset it looks like a dark, moody, mysterious building, as it is painted black and only has its neon signs lighting it up. However, when you step inside, you soon realise that it is a supremely cool rock and roll bar that looks more NYC than NW5.
The bar is very welcoming, as it has high-back red velvet stools for you to sit on. Behind these you can see a large collection of whiskies and bourbons, and one look at the menu confirms the fact that Aces and Eights is a very much a whisky bar. Once you take in the beauty of all the drinks on offer, if you look upwards you will see some frilly bras hanging from the ceiling and a pillar opposite has pictures of cut-out naked ladies. This is definitely a boys’ paradise.
Apart from the bar stools there are wooden booths upholstered in red felt, which are spacious and very chilled. In the future, the downstairs section will be home to live music and comedy. It is a big expanse and will showcase up and coming bands.
The Atmosphere
Locals and people with an appreciation for classic rock music are Aces and Eights core crowd. Customers can choose tunes from the bright neon jukebox, where artists such as Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Ike Turner rub shoulders with more contemporary artists like Beck and Queens Of The Stoneage. On weekends it can get busy, but ultimately it maintains a cool and laid-back attitude at all times.
The Food
There are two choices for food at Aces and Eights: pizza or salad. The salad is more than likely to appease the ladies and start at £3 for a Pomodoro Cipolle (tomato and onion) and go up to £4.50 for an Insalata Tricolore (mozzarella, tomatoes and avocado). Pizzas, however, are £7.95 for a 12” and £15.95 for a 16”. Presented on a circular wooden board, they are packed full of topping and piles of melted cheese. The only slight niggle is the blandness of the sauce. If there was more of it with a bit more seasoning, it would really make the pizza come alive.
The Drink
Even though Aces and Eights is primarily a whisky bar, it still has drinks to suit all. The bourbons start at £3.20 for a Heaven Hill, and go up to a fiver for an Eagle. The single malts have fun names like Peat Monster and Bruichladdich, both £3.80, but if you are a connoisseur of all things malt, then the Suntori (£7) may tickle your fancy.
When it comes to the cocktails (£7-£8), you may be in for a surprise. Although they have the usuals, there are a few interesting additions to get your mouth watering. The Parma Violence is based on the old-skool sweet Parma violet, and with one sip you are taken back to your school days. But watch out, this drink is lethal, so drink it slowly.
Beers on tap are mostly the norm but with one notable addition: Blue Moon (£4.10), which is an American wheat beer.
Happy Hours take place every day and include 2-4-1 on selected cocktails and four bottles of Sol for a tenner.
The Last Word
With its great drinks and outstanding concept, Aces and Eights provides a much-needed injection of life into Tufnell Park . And once the live music kicks off, it will be permanently buzzing.
Aces and Eights has been reviewed by 5 users