West India Quay,
Canary Wharf,
London,
E14 4AX
0872 148 2408
The ViewLondon Review
Set back on the West India Quayside, you will find the stylish warehouse conversion that is Bar 38.The VenueBar 38 is a small chain of bars run by the Scottish and Newcastle brewery. Aesthetically this bar has got it so right. It offers a very appealing waterside location with an extensive outdoor terrace. The inside has all the traditional features you would expect from a warehouse conversion. Its brightly coloured seats coupled with Scandinavian pine tables are complemented by its traditional wooden beamed ceilings. Drinking and dining can be enjoyed al fresco come rain or shine thanks to the canopies and outdoor heaters, and it’s a great place to sit and view Canary Wharf in all its glory.
The AtmosphereBar 38 is anything but relaxed: the pretentious vibe it gives off is certainly its downfall. This is a bar that, even with its high status look, doesn’t quite make the grade in terms of creating the right atmosphere. On a week night it’s filled with the young, high-powered twenty-somethings of Canary Wharf. This is a bar that is noisy with a capital N, loud music united with chatter and laughter mean it’s definitely not the place for a quiet drink. However, weekends are a far more sedate affair.
The FoodThe food at Bar 38 is, by far, its best feature. The menu is typical of a chain bar, offering the usual burgers, bangers and mash, fish and chips and pasta (think an upmarket wetherspoons and you’re almost there.) Meal prices are very reasonable – the majority of main courses cost under £10, which is well worth it. The food is high quality, well presented and is great for a lunch date.
The DrinkBar 38 suffers from the same flaw as many of its Canary Wharf counterparts: expensive drink prices. That said, it’s not as overpriced as some of its neighbours and they do have a Happy Hour where the prices of wine, beer and cocktails are dropped. The wine list is long and varied and the usual beers are available on tap, including Carlsberg, Kronenburg and Stella. For something a little bit different, Bar 38 also offers a nice range of cocktails.
The Last WordWith its picturesque surroundings and fine food, Bar 38 has the potential to become one of the Docklands premium bars. If you like the Canary Wharf vibe and don’t mind the pretentious nature of the clientele then it’s a good choice for the area.