The Camel and Artichoke is a smart looking, traditional fronted bar situated on bustling Lower Marsh, a stone’s throw from Waterloo train station and Lambeth North tube.

The Venue
Tucked away on unassuming Lower Marsh with its quirky character shops, bars and restaurants, sits the Camel and Artichoke. Blink and you’ll miss it, the twinkling fairy lights that frame the huge front bay window should just about grab your gaze.

Situated on two floors, the ground floor rectangular shaped bar is littered with dark wood tables and chairs. Large gold gilt framed mirrors dominate the cream and green walls and tea light candles adorn the tables and every available ledge. By the entrance, there are several brown leather sofas. The wooden topped bar occupies the middle left. Upstairs is a much cosier affair with ruby red walls, enormous leather sofas, couches, tables and chairs of various heights and sizes and a bookshelf. The heated patio garden is a popular feature with smokers in the winter months and is perfect for some alfresco dining during the summer.

The Atmosphere
The Camel and Artichoke gets very busy on a Friday night with the after work crowd, but the vibe remains relaxed and friendly. This bar is frequented by 25-35-year-old local office workers with a few stray commuters and theatregoers mixing it up. Service is swift and the drinks are delivered with a smile by the young, attentive bar staff.

Sport is a feature downstairs with two large plasma screen TVs showing Setanta Sport but the sporting action does not dominate. At the foreground is cheesy pop music of the Grandmaster Flash, ELO, Blondie and New Order mould, but it’s played at such a level that it’s still possible to hold a conversation without having to shout to be heard. In fact, it is the post-office banter and laughter that is the most striking feature of this place.

The Food
Food is served all day Monday to Saturday. Standard mains take the form of homemade burgers (£6.80-£7.95), sausage and mash (£6.80), fish and chips (£6.80), jacket potatoes (£4.85) and lasagne (£6.80) so no surprises here, but there is an appetising specials menu. Nibbles take the form of nachos topped with melted cheese (£3.95), chilli nachos (£4.50) and larger combo plates of deep fried seafood (£4.95), spicy chicken (£4.95) and a vegetarian option (£4.50).

The Drink
Real ale lovers will be pleasantly surprised to find Greene King IPA, Abbott Ale and Old Speckled Hen available on draught for £2.95 but aside from that, the drink is fairly standard. You can expect the usual spirits and mixers and draught beer like Fosters, Carling, Kronenbourg, Heineken, Amstel, Guinness and Strongbow (£3.10-£3.25 a pint). Bottles of Corona, Becks, Peroni and Budvar are available for £3.25 and a bottle of red or white wine will set you back a very reasonable £12.95.

The Last Word
The Camel and Artichoke is a friendly local bar, quite typical of many in South London. It doesn’t have a vast drinks list, but what it lacks in its drink selection is more than made up for by its happy, down to earth atmosphere.

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