This Hoxton venue was one of the first of its kind in the area. Today, it’s more popular than ever.

The Venue
Located on Hoxton Square – as the name suggests – this modern-looking venue has barely changed its image since it first opened and today it really blends in alongside a swathe of similar bars across Hoxton. There’s loads of glass – the back of the bar area is entirely made of glass and it is great for watching the comings and goings at the nearby circus training centre, while the front glass section opens out on to decking, which is perfect for smokers and fab in the summer months. Inside, the sleek warehouse-style conversion is divided into a few sections – there’s a bar area full of sofas and stools and a really long bar; a more formal dining area with booths and tables; and a spacious back room with a stage area that plays host to DJs and bands in the evenings. Each section has a bar to ensure you’re not queuing too long for drink.

The Atmosphere
As one of the first sleeker bars to spring up in Hoxton, this venue had a reputation for attracting hip young media types who worked nearby or were attracted to the area’s ‘edgy’ drinking scene. Today, as the area’s become more saturated and the number of similar establishments has increased, the crowd has become a lot more diverse, too. Expect to find everyone from locals after a bite to eat and a drink, suited workers who’ve ventured out of the City on a Friday and Essex girls on a ‘big night out’, to people who have just visited the venue because there’s a band they want to see. It’s definitely no longer the hipster stronghold it once was.

The Music
The back room plays host to various DJs and bands and the music can vary considerably depending on the night. Expect to hear everything from the latest chart tunes to old skool tracks you forgot even existed and obscure electro beats. Former acts have included Vampire Weekend, Maria & The Diamonds, Fleet Foxes and Field Music.

The Food
Food is available in the bar area from 11.30am everyday. You can also sit in the dining area if you want a more formal meal. The menu is varied and includes a wide range of English, American and European favourites – everything from a full breakfast to tortilla wraps, Hoxton burgers and meat from the flame grill. There’s even a selection of fresh fish dishes. And if you’re just after bar snacks, there are all the favourites, including nachos, chicken wings, potato wedges and onion rings. Prices are pretty reasonable – you can pay anything from a few quid for a bar snack to nearly £20 for a decent-sized meal.

The Drink
The bar is impressively stocked. Draught beers include Red Stripe, Guinness, Stowford Press Cider and Erdinger, while the bottles include Hoegaarden, Westerns Premium lager and Bombardier bitter, as well as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Goose Island IPA and Modela Especial to name a few. They’re priced at about £3.20 for a bottle or £3.50 for a pint, which isn’t too bad for modern-day Hoxton. If you’re after wine, you’re looking at spending around £16 for a decent bottle (pinot grigio or cabernet sauvignon). It’s worth spending a couple of extra quid if you’re getting a bottle, as the cheaper choices aren’t that nice. Cocktails are a fairly standard £7, and the list includes all the favourites - mojitos, Singapore slings, whisky sours and caipirinhas.

The Last Word
OK, so it’s not as hip as it might once have been and ladies are more likely to get their bum pinched than complimented for looking cool, but for crowd-pleasing tunes, a good choice of drinks and a great location, this venue shouldn’t be knocked.

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