The ViewLondon Review
Since it opened in 2000, Inigo has been a firm favourite amongst the people of the area and it’s easy to see why.The VenueOnce an old man’s boozer on South London’s busy Wandsworth Road, the conversion of Inigo into a DJ pub hasn’t meant it’s lost any of its spit-and-sawdust ambience with many original features retained and none of the tacky chandeliers, rococo mirrors, smoked glass and all the other trappings that mark many chain bars’ attempts at originality. No, this is a much more comfortable affair with shabby sofas, scarred pub tables and a distinctly unpretentious appeal.
The AtmosphereYou will be throwing shapes: Inigo is not for wallflowers - the tables proving a particularly popular spot for dancing, not to mention the bar itself. The sound system’s well above average for a venue this size, and the overhead DJ cam gives punters a unique birds eye view of all the antics on the business side of the decks. Things may get a little hectic at times with both bar staff and DJs cutting loose and busting a few fly moves, making a busy weekend night at Inigo not one for the faint hearted. Those commendably affordable bar prices don’t help keep a lid on the party atmosphere, either.
The MusicAnd this is all to the good, as unlike many of its glossier neighbours in SW11 and SW4, this place really rocks. By this we don’t mean electrohouse-by-numbers played to a bunch of Hooray Henries braying incessantly at each other; it’s a real party at a mate’s house vibe. Not just any mate’s house, either: your music-loving, hard-living friend - the kind whose parties have you booking Monday off work in advance. Friday and Saturday nights could see you throwing shapes to the likes of Eric Prydz, Yousef or Nic Fanciulli, while a full calendar of midweek nights range from DnB to breaks to funk.
The DrinkIt's probably a good thing that they don't offer cocktails here; for one thing, the Clapham cocktail crowd is not who they're aiming at, and in any case it would put pressure on what's already a busy bar. There's an extensive shooter menu, though, plus 1664, Fosters and Guinness on tap and Stella and Sol in bottles. Prices lap well below the Soho watermark - that's in sharp contrast to many other South London bars who have been quick to claim West End privileges as their own.
The Last wordThe charm of Inigo is that it’s still, at heart, a pub – and that’s what has people coming back time after time. You’ll be hard pushed not to fall for its charms.
Inigo has been reviewed by 14 users