The ViewLondon Review
All the right ingredients but badly put together; Imbibe has the potential to be a lot more than it currently is.The VenueA large, well-planned space, Imbibe has the potential to be a great bar but is let down by bad interior design and furnishing choices. The grotty wooden tables and uncomfortable school-style chairs may have been aiming for kitsch, but teemed with a dingy interior and odd assortment of foam stools and ex-office style sofas, it falls far short of funky.
On the plus side, as one of the few places in the area with a substantial outdoor area, Imbibe is the perfect choice for summer refreshments. There's plenty of seating to accommodate the masses and sufficient shelter in preparation for the inevitable summer rain.
The AtmosphereStagnant and uninspiring, the sparse lunchtime clientele made up of office workers and the odd local reflect the banality of Imbibe. Remains of the night before attack your senses upon entering the bar as the odour of stale beer and disinfectant fill your nostrils, resulting in a dirty, unwelcoming atmosphere.
The FoodImbibe is worth visiting for the fat chips alone. When they say fat they mean FAT; one potato serves four chips and four chips will probably be enough to fill you.
Aside from the chips, Imbibe offers pub grub dressed slightly smarter than the norm, almost on its way to gastro fare. Burgers are served homemade with generous fillings but soggy baps are not a great accompaniment and the lone burger in the middle of a huge plate could do with more salad for company. With some minor hiccups that could easily be ironed out, Imbibe has the potential to offer great food that's excellent value for money.
The DrinkThe drink selection is typical of this type of venue, but the menu's swing towards value for money as opposed to quirky concoctions and pretentious attitude is a refreshing welcome. A good pint of premium lager such as Staropramen can be enjoyed without fuss, and the full spirit selection and competent cocktail menu ensure all tastes are catered for.
The Last WordPossibly more than adequate for providing after work drinks; as it stands, Imbibe is not quite good enough to visit just for the food, which is a pity as the menu sounds rather exciting. There's still room for improvement.
Imbibe has been reviewed by 8 users