The Asda of Cosmopolitans, Screwdrivers and Bellinis - Belushis provides cheap cocktails in a no-frills atmosphere. You won’t even have to trek to Zone 6 to find one: this cocktail paradise is located right on Fulham Road.

The Venue
The large windows of this corner venue allow you to take a good look into Belushis before stepping in: a lot of their furniture - including the bar - are made of metal, giving a light retro-futuristic effect to the room, increased by a wall covered with posters. You can sit on stools with high tables around the bar or in the elevated seating area, whilst a couple of couches allow for a more relaxed evening. The many screens display sports and other events.

The Atmosphere
The very low prices attract a young and loud clientele: virtually everybody is well under thirty, which is to be expected since Belushis belongs to a youth hostel chain. Most seem to be young Londoners dressed very informally meeting up from far flung parts of town. The venue and its customers are non judgmental so if you have to, walk in without hesitation. However, if you are above thirty you may be better off elsewhere, unless you’re really desperate for a cheap cocktail.

The Food
Young, easy and uncomplicated, the menu at Belushis is made up of bar snacks and light bites (£4-£10) including tapas, nachos, tortillas, sandwiches, seasonal salads (£6.80-£7.50) and homemade fresh beef burgers (£5.30-£8). The bacon and avocado or seared chorizo salads are appetising whilst the Texan style steak, chilli con carne and lemon and herb chicken are a bit heavy.

As far as the burgers are concerned, you must be endowed with very adventurous tastebuds to try the Aussie Works with pineapple, egg and beetroot or the Hawaiian Chicken with bacon, cheese, pineapple and mayo. The Mexican Salsa Burger, in comparison, is a much safer choice.

The Drink
The choice at Belushis is quite vast but do not expect a list of complicated cocktails: their selection is made up of classics, from Sex on the Beach to Frangelico Caipiroska with some house mixes including their trademark ingredients. Other cocktails are less known but still of well established tradition, like the Slick Willy (Kahlua, fraise, vodka, cream). The prices are quite unbeatable: during regular hours, a glass is £4 and a bucket is £11, reduced to a mere £3 and £9 during the long Happy Hour.

Beers and wines are available, too, even if they aren’t as popular as the cocktails: prices, once again, are really modest with small wine glasses priced at £3, large ones at £3.75 and bottles a mere £10.50.

The Last Word
The big asset of Belushis is definitely the very low prices of their cocktails: unfortunately, this does not vouch for great food, spectacular drinks or an elegant atmosphere. If a cheap martini is what you’re after and you do not have anyone to impress, you may have found your heaven.

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