There are those that say Streatham’s coming up in the world, and they’re probably right. It may still be more shabby than chic, but the boom experienced by Balham and Clapham, won’t take long to take over SW2 and SW16, especially the more genteel enclaves of Streatham Hill.

Bar 61 - The Venue
You can see that Streatham's fortunes are changing in the lifestyle bars now starting to colonise the High Road, as well as in the Illy coffee bars now making an appearance. But sometimes it’s not the newcomers that count as the hidden gems consistently drawing the punters in night after night. Bar 61, a characterful tapas bar in a slightly unlikely location, is one such gem.

Bar 61 - The Atmosphere
Dimly lit, with rustic objets dangling from the forgivably fraudulent roof-beams and a pleasing collection of old posters and signs cluttering the walls, it exudes a welcoming, laid back and really rather Spanish feeling.

Bar 61 - Food and Drink
There’s a good wine list, mostly by the bottle, and the tapas portions are very generous – it's best to start with a few, and order more as necessary. Patatas bravas, a staple, was surprisingly moreish, and both the prawns and the sardines bigger and more delicately cooked than you’d expect. The pollo al ajillo was a little short on garlic, but the ensalada tricolor was fresh and generous.

Bar 61 - The Last Word
This isn’t haute cuisine, but rustic, honest Spanish tapas, and it’s all the better for the lack of pretension. If you’re lucky enough to be local, don’t pass Bar 61 by; if not, perhaps this little gem is something South Londoners would prefer to keep to themselves.

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