2 Empire Mews,
Streatham,
London,
SW16 2ED
(020) 8835 7070
The ViewLondon Review
A seriously cool music and comedy venue just off Streatham High Road, Hideaway isn't particularly easy to find, but if you follow the big orange keyhole, you’ll be in for a very pleasant surprise.
The Venue
The clue is in the name – Hideaway is a mini adventure to find. Situated just off the High Street, you need to follow an orange keyhole sign (which is the emblem of the venue) and head down a flight of stairs into an alleyway. Walk along this passage and you’ll find another sign directing you to the venue. As you open the door and tentatively make your way towards the hole in the wall, you will be greeted by a person who will let you in, once you have paid the entrance fee. Inside, you are firstly bowled over by how swanky and lovely it is. The whole experience makes you feel like you’ve found a secret club, a rare thing, indeed.
The first thing you notice is the stage area and the ubiquitous keyhole symbol, and then the sheer size of the place hits you. There are an array of tables positioned towards the stage so that you get a good view of the performer, but if you want a more informal, relaxed experience, there is a section which is made up of large, comfy leather sofas. The bar area is sectioned off behind glass allowing people to sit and socialise whilst still enjoying the performer.
The Atmosphere
Before any of the performers come on, the vibe is low-key and supremely chilled. Light jazz is played softly, enabling people to talk at a comfortable volume. When performers enter the stage, the atmosphere changes and it has a spark to it. Typically you will find couples in their mid-to-late thirties, who are interested in an evening listening to some of the best music around, without being herded around a club like cattle, and the staff aid this experience as they are highly professional and very discrete.
The Music
The Hideaway hosts live music and comedy nights, with the program including the leading lights from the worlds of jazz, soul, funk, Latin and RnB, so they’ll always be something worth seeing when you visit. Recent guests include one of the UK’s most highly regarded female jazz singers Lianne Carroll, soul starlet Natalie Williams and Arakatuba, a Brazilian 6-piece band.
The Food
The menu changes regularly but it tends to have a gastro pub theme to it. Starters include homemade soup of the day (£3.95), a goat’s cheese crostini and a trio of salmon (both £4.95). The goat’s cheese is gently warmed and when you place it in your mouth it just melts away. It’s a wonderful feeling and one that works extremely well. The trio of salmon – seared, poached and smoked - is professionally presented and tastes great. The poached is fresh and clean; the seared has fresh basil oil dribbled over it and the fish is soft and luscious, simply flaking away with ease; and the smoked salmon tastes of the highest quality. The accompanying potato and avocado salad adds an extra element to the dish.
The mains cost £9.50 for a Moroccan-style vegetable tagine, £10.95 for a chef’s pie of the day, £11.95 for a char-grilled tuna steak and £15.90 for a rib eye steak. The tagine looks and smells sensational. Even before you take a bite, the aroma of the spices makes your mouth water with anticipation. The vegetables are so tender and the combination of rich tomato and spice hits you all at once. It is a fantastic dish if you want a comforting feed. The steak is also cooked to perfection. The meat is tender and just glides through the knife. It is served with a garlic and herb butter which makes the steak even more tantalising. Even the chips, which are thick and chunky, are lightly crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
Desserts, all £4.50, range from chocolate fudge and hazelnut brownie, lemon cheesecake, and apple, pear and berry crumble. The latter is served with a small jug of hot custard and the crumble itself is soft yet crunchy, with just right amount of sweetness. It is beautifully cooked and the ultimate comfort food.
The Drink
The Hideaway has an impressive cocktail menu, with concoctions starting at £6.50. A lot of classics are present: Capirinha (£6.50), Mojito (£7), Cosmo (£8.50), Martini (£6.50), Bellini (£8.50) and Kir Royale (£9). But there are also a few creations by the Hideaway team. The Keyhole (£8.50) tastes exactly like Tooty Frootie sweets. It has a sweet basil leaf floating on top and is like a fruit punch, tasting predominantly of raspberry and kiwi. It’s a drink which is sneaky in that its strength is disguised by its sweetness.
There is also a small wine selection and the house selection, La Fete Blanc and Rouge, is £4.70 a glass and £13 a bottle. The red has a strong spicy smell with hints of blackberries and it goes well with the steak and the tagine. Other wines include the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (£6.10/£18) and Australian Shiraz (£16 the bottle). There are only three fizzy options to choose from: Prosecco (£22), Veuve Joubert Reserve Speciale (£39) and Perrier-Jouet (£49).
For those who like a pint there are five on tap: Guinness (£3.30), Kronenbourg Cold (£3.40), Fosters (£3), Heineken (£3.40) and Strongbow (£3.20), which are reasonably priced. For those who fancy bottles there’s Corona, Amstel, Stella and Birra Moretti to name a few.
The Last Word
If you want a an evening in the company of some of the world’s best jazz, soul and world music artists, whilst receiving outstanding service and food in sumptuous surroundings, then make a trip to Streatham – it is definitely worth it.
Hideaway has been reviewed by 36 users