The vibe at Arch 635 matches its underground, hidden location and it's a good alternative to the High Street. Tucked away on a side street, this is an unfussy place to have a drink and a dance with friends.

The Venue
Arch 635 is different from most watering holes in Clapham – with its black brick walls, eclectic furnishings and no-frills feel, this is a place you’d expect to stumble across in Shoreditch, minus the too-cool-for-school attitude. The venue itself is long and narrow. A football table fills a space just inside the door, keeping the guys entertained until the DJ starts and the bar fills up. Take a few more steps towards the back and you’ll find yourself at the bar, smack-bang in the middle of the venue. It’s brightly lit, high and relatively large for such a small place, making it pretty much the centrepiece of the venue. Further towards the back, long, wooden tables with bench seats line the walls, while the DJ can be found tucked away in the corner. There’s also a private room, known as the stage bar, through a door at the back where comedians and bands regularly perform and private functions can be held. They also pull some decent names – comedian Felix Dexter played an intimate gig here recently.

The Atmosphere
This place is cool. Too cool, in fact. If you’re going on a quiet night, such as a Wednesday, be sure to bring your coat. Even with the trains constantly going at top-speed overhead, the place is barely warmer than the chilly night air outside. There is plenty to look at, however, from the random mix of eye-catching indie paintings on the walls, all by south Londoner George Morton-Clark, to an interesting skylight in the roof and metal sheets on the walls in the DJ’s den. As for the people, there’s no shortage of men in their twenties, who mingle around the football table and where, conveniently, the female toilets can be found.

The Drink
There is plenty to choose from at the very reasonably priced bar. Beers start at £3.55 for a pint of Fosters, while Amstel and Strongbow will set you back £3.70 and Kronenbourg or Sagres a bit more. The selection of bottled beers is vast, including Sol, Heineken, Tiger or Sam Smith’s Organic Ale (all £3.50). The wine list is not as impressive, and if you only want a glass, not a bottle, your options are further limited. A bottle of house red or white will cost you £13.50, while rosè is slightly more at £14.50. Sparkling wines range from £22 to £43, for a bottle of Moet NV. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu (£6.50-£6.75) offers some interesting flavour combinations such as the Happy Ending, a mix of Jagermeister, peach schnapps, Blue Curacao and lemonade. Some old favourites include mojitos and caipirinhas.

The Last Word
Arch 635 is an alternative, edgier place to grab a drink and bust a move than most of its Clapham High Street counterparts. It’s certainly not perfect but it’s not trying to be, and that’s its biggest appeal.

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