14–32 High Street,
Croydon,
CR0 1YA
(020) 8603 0870
The ViewLondon Review
Cheap drinks, cheap girls, cheap venue. This Lloyds bar isn’t the classiest place to grab a drink, although it’s a good pre-club bar for Croydonites to get tipsy before hitting the dancefloor.The VenueWedged between Reflex, Mojama and Tiger Tiger - a few of Croydon’s clubbing hotspots - sits Milan Bar. This is a popular venue due to its proximity to the clubs, making it an easy stumble from drinks to dancing (if the police vans around the area don't put you off).
The venue is spread over two floors, with a lounge-club area downstairs and lots of seats upstairs for groups of friends to fill up a table with empty glasses before moving on. The decor is very dull, with a tacky print carpet, generic cheap wooden tables and chairs, and a strange terracotta colour on the walls, which was supposedly chosen to create warmth. Unfortunately, the lack of light destroys that possibility.
The AtmosphereMilan Bar is always filled to bursting at peak times, with everyone from clubbing chavs looking to get pissed to couples looking for a romantic drink (and failing) and anyone who hates the depressing pubs in the area.
The people of Croydon are a fun loving bunch, however, so the atmosphere is lively and buzzing, especially later on in the night when everyone’s had a few too many sambuca shots. The staff seem bored and uninterested, but the people on the table next to you may be friendly, if a little too friendly.
The DrinkThe aim of Milan Bar is to provide cheap drinks for Croydon’s youth, and if you check out the prices this really is one of the cheapest places to drink in the area. The cocktail list is simple and sparse, but good value for £7.17 for a pitcher or £3.50 a glass. The wine list seems extensive, but the selection is extremely low quality; however, this is reflected in the price with some bottles priced as low as £7, giving customers a great way to get tipsy fast.
Popular mainstream beers are available with some different ones thrown into the mix, and spirits are basic, although a double is more than affordable.
The Last WordMilan Bar – like all of the bars in the Lloyds chain – is an ideal place to get the night started. There are enough cheap drink deals to suit all tastes, leaving more money for the cab home after a late one.