Bringing some much needed heart to the Fulham Road, the aptly named Bartique is a boutique bar with none of the pretension and snobbery you might have come to expect from Chelsea. Oh and the bar staff breathe fire - seriously!

The Venue
Located in the heart of Chelsea, this self proclaimed ‘style bar’ does exactly what it says on the tin. A large frontage beckons you in off the upmarket Chelsea streets and does so with aplomb. Large windows line the front, which are opened up in the warmer months, creating a holiday air. The attractive logo (a mirrored ‘b’ and ‘q’) is the first thing that greets you through the single door, and sets the scene for what’s to come.

Inside, an attractive, stylish and rather small bar greets you; however, the optimisation of space makes the cosy area seem infinitely larger. The central, gleaming bar stays firmly in the spotlight thanks to attractive lampshades, providing most of the light in this dimmed bar. A neutral colour scheme is classy rather than dull, and dark mirrors across one wall add an interesting and subtle touch. Seats are kept around the outer edge of the bar and allow for couples and small groups to snuggle up against some of the most comfortable cushions to have ever been found in a bar. Settle in for the night and you’ll be forgiven for losing track of time. All in all, they’ve deftly walked the fine line between practical and stylish to produce an attractive bar to appeal to the Chelsea set.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the real selling point of Bartique. Sure, it’s a great looking bar, but without the atmosphere it would just be another pretty face in Chelsea. Luckily, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The staff are friendly, warm and efficient, able to comfortably deal with a heaving crowd whilst finding time for a smile and a moment of cheeky banter. Don’t be surprised to see the owner and manager chipping in behind the bar, schmoozing the crowd and keeping the good feeling high. Oh yes, and they breath fire occasionally… Be sure to ask to see the clever trick, adding a whole new meaning to the term ‘flare’!

The crowd themselves are friendly and laid back, out to have a good time. Sure, they fit in with that Chelsea look and style, although a lack of strict dress code mixes things up. Make the effort and you’ll fit right in. The doorman, although a little foreboding to look at, is much friendlier than at many bars and clubs across London. All in all, the friendly charm from the staff has an inevitable effect on the crowd.

The music is especially worthy of note, being a funky soundtrack to keep you bopping, played at a level so you can still hold a conversation. Becoming steadily upbeat as the evening wears on, it’s cleverly chosen to reinforce the already upbeat crowd and create a party atmosphere that isn’t lairy or try hard.

The Food
Bartique doesn’t let a small thing like no kitchen stop them from providing incredible food at reasonable prices. Instead, they order high quality Japanese cuisine from their neighbouring restaurant Yumenoki. Costing anywhere from £3.50-£32 depending on the size of the dish and ingredients, you can eat just a snack or have a full meal. From edamame, guoza meat dumplings and prawn tempura to assortments of sashimi and sushi to more specialised dishes like the spiky maki, you’ll be hard pushed not to find something you fancy.

The Drink
The drinks are where Bartique really excels; cocktails are where it’s at here, which may surprise you judging from the small cocktail menu. Here it’s all about quality and consistency; but never fear, you can order any cocktail you fancy - whether it’s on the menu or not. Alternatively, tell the bar staff what you like and they’ll create a bespoke cocktail on the spot, even on a busy night!

Looking at the prices, you’ll be forgiven for being a little dubious. £7.50-£8 a cocktail is remarkably low for the area, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The cocktails are enough to rival bars that charge almost double that. Highlights include the Tique Beach (vodka, watermelon, peach puree, vanilla sugar, lemon, lychee juice and vanilla liqueur), which is an exquisite drink with sweet undertones cut through with the delicate balance of almost creamy vanilla flavours. The Gigalo (gin, orgeat syrup, fresh lime juice, mint), originally created for Valentine’s but kept on the menu after it proved a success, tastes like an upmarket twist on the mojito, with subtle mint tones in a light, refreshing cocktail. The Frosted Summit (lemongrass vodka infusion, mandarin Napoleon liqueur, pomegranate, lemon juice, sweet chilli sugar and a white sugar rim) is a little heavier than the others but no less delicious. The sugar around the rim adds a delicate sweetness to the fruity cocktail, and the sweet chilli sugar is an interesting twist, made in-house. All in all, whatever you order, the quality is consistently high and will leave you sizeable change.

If cocktails aren’t your thing then there are a handful of well chosen wines. You can also purchase bottles of spirits if you’re in a group and wish to splash the cash. However, the piece de resistance is their Champagne offering. Cristal is SO 2007, this year it’s all about Ace of Spades, which Bartique serves (unheard of in London at the moment). At £450 for a bottle of Ace of Spades Rose, it’s not cheap, but then nobody ever said cutting edge was cheap!

The Last Word
If you’re after a stylish night out in Chelsea but with a charm you rarely find in this neck of the woods then Bartique is for you. Quality cocktails and high energy behind the bar make it hard to beat.

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