All Bar One - everyone knows it and chances are you have one down the road from where you live or work, but the Canary Wharf offering is always crammed with office workers out for something safe. But then, you don’t always need original after a hard day, do you?

The Venue
Unusual for Canary Wharf, this place actually lends itself to friendliness and sharing. There are a few tables for small groups but the main focus is the large communal wooden tables that dominate the floor space, with wooden benches attached. There’s nothing worthy of much note here - the usual All Bar One decor resides with clean lines; vast amounts of wine in columns, nestled behind the large centralised bar; and the ever-present blackboards, cluttered with scribbles of the latest food offers.

The only truly captivating thing about this venue is the location and how it offers such a good outdoor section. Located right by Canary Wharf Jubilee Line station, by the dock, there’s a long section of outdoor tables, parasols and heaters for smokers and those out to enjoy a drink in the summer. This isn’t great for those wishing to walk past as, in good weather, the entire walkway around the station and dock is filled with office workers enjoying wine and beer. Based as it is next to equally popular Smollenskys, the outdoor hum creates a holiday feeling in the summer that you won’t get anywhere else nearby.

The Atmosphere
The usual cold, chain bar feeling of, not only All Bar One but also Canary Wharf, would prevail were it not for the outdoor seating and ample room for congregating. This area exudes a huge party vibe on a Thursday or Friday night, especially in the summer months. With a little imagination you can picture yourself with your ruby red merlot, soaking up the rays in some European courtyard (were it not for the large presence of suits everywhere you look). The cheerful banter between groups creates a bubble away from the nonchalant rudeness that infects the sterile Canary Wharf.

The Drink
There’s nothing particularly exceptional about the drinks on offer at All Bar One. Once you’ve been to one you’ve been to them all. But you can get a decent drink here that does the job of washing away all those stresses endured at the office. With the usual suspects on draught, they also have a few of their own favourites thrown in for good measure: Birra Moretti and Paulaner - Italian and German offerings – are good choices, most noted for their wheaty and crisp flavours respectively. With an above-average selection of wines for a chain and some decent spirit options, this is one of the few places in Canary Wharf you can spend an extended evening and not break the bank.

The Last Word
One of the few establishments in Canary Wharf that, when purchasing a drink from the bar, doesn’t make you feel like you’ve been turned upside down, shaken vigorously, and robbed of the entire contents of your pockets, without a bye or leave. Well worth a visit on a hot Friday afternoon.

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