180-184 Earls Court Road,
Earls Court,
London,
SW5 9QG
(020) 7370 5358
The ViewLondon Review
One of the side effects of straitened times is the sense of nostalgia that it creates and even the pretty and privileged aren’t immune. Suddenly the holidays home from boarding school, holed up in the billiards room after pillaging the contents of the drinks’ cabinet seem like halcyon days. Whatever happened to the innocent fun of home-alone house parties all those years ago? It’s enough to set even the most well-bred upper lip aquiver. Miss Q’s mix of posh pool, sexy live music and fun DJs hasn’t arrived in Earls Court a moment too soon.
The Venue
American speakeasies were certainly never this luxurious but the overtones work well in the subterranean space. At the back of the bar, pool tables perch atop Persian rugs, live bands rock out in the far corner, Dolly Parton classics come courtesy of the DJ located close to the illuminated multi-coloured glass dance floor, tea chests are piled high and cherry blossom patterned wallpaper snakes over ceilings and walls in rich jewel tones. Seating is plentiful and well thought out - heavily embroidered Oriental-style fabrics cover seats arranged in pairs around the pool tables and there are plenty more seating options including Chesterfields and banquette seating close to the two bars on facing sides of the room. However, for intimate dates you can’t beat the semi-private booth that’s crying out for fun and flirting.
The Atmosphere
Pillowy of lip and slim of thigh, at Miss Q’s the rock chicks check their Rolexes, close one artfully smudged eye to cue up the ball and hustle the skinny-tied suits to an impromptu pool tournament before hitting the small dance floor area. Chatter is friendly, the emphasis is on fun and at weekends the nights dart into the early hours of the following day with a devil may care smile and barely a backward glance.
The Drink
Cocktails are so skilfully mixed and reasonably priced at £6 that it’s sorely tempting to stick to them and never explore the other drinks available. There are plenty of classic cocktails that will appeal to purists (including Bloody Marys, Margaritas and Manhattans) but the more experimental recipes really capture the personality of Miss Q’s. Spring Break teams El Jimador Reposado with pineapple juice and banana liqueur whilst their twist on the famous Americano (titled Miss Americano) mixes Campari, Rosso, Beefeater gin and soda water with a drop of rosehip syrup.
The wine selection won’t leave you out of pocket either. House white and red is just £3.70 per 175ml glass or £14.95 a bottle. The most expensive options are only a few pounds more at £5.60 per glass and £19 or £20 a bottle for the Californian Pinot Grigio and Chilean Pinot Noir respectively. As for the Prosecco (£5.50 per glass) it’s already proving to be a popular alternative to Champagne (Lanson Brut Non-Vintage at £8 per glass or £45 a bottle).
The Last Word
Cocktails and cult films, pool and pinball, DJs and dancing, live music and late nights, Miss Q’s is one seriously sexy sister. Shhh...this is one subterranean secret worth keeping in the family.
Miss Q's has been reviewed by 8 users