Treasured by many as one of the few bars in this neck of the woods with an inkling of personality, Project Orange is a scruffy yet ballsy bar with decent rock roots.

The Venue
Unless you live up that way, there are few reasons to turn right out of Clapham Junction train station to head up St John’s Hill. Amidst the strange rundown collection of outlets you’ll find here, is a bright orange beacon signalling a funky little bar that is worth the few minutes’ walk.

Project Orange is a quirky, grungy den with bands scrawled in green marker pen across the windows - The Ramones, The Kooks, Nirvana, Bloc Party, The Doors and more - affirming the serious indie and rock leanings of this venue that plays host to live bands every month. Lit with green and red spotlights, like you’re on stage at a rock concert, the log bar, camouflage hangings, pot plants, and the odd Zulu-type statues and masks all lend a jungle-guerilla feel to the decor. From the grinning skull with sunglasses and flaming red hair that sits behind the bar to the cymbals hanging from the ceiling and the graffiti scrawled on the walls, this is a far cry from the chains and bland venues that dominate the surrounding area. Open until 12pm on Thursdays and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, there’s also a small bar downstairs that can be hired out for private parties.

The Atmosphere
If you want to get away from the ‘look at me’ types, Project Orange is the place to go. The crowd is casual and made up of students, alternatives and chilled out locals. On weeknights, when it can be quite empty, the soundtrack of screaming rockers and the large screen playing music videos can be a bit full on but when the late night and weekend crowd kick in, it’s a busy party with a steady soundtrack from the bands whose names adorn the front window.

The Drink
‘97p to the government in tax – oh dear!’ apologises the handwritten label on the Budweiser tap. Similar notes on the other pumps – Carling, Grolsch, Anchor Steamer, Fruli and Guinness – helpfully highlight how much of your pound is headed straight to the government when you hand over your cash (pints start from £3.15). There’s a refreshing selection of bottled international beers and tipples starting from £3, including Stiegel and San Miguel, American brews Samuel Adams and Blue Moon, and the old tequila-meets-beer favourite Desperadoes, but not a huge selection of wine. Spirits with mixers start from £3.30.

The Last Word
For a good taste of youthful anarchy played out to a hard rock soundtrack, Project Orange is refreshingly different and a welcome addition to an area of London where unique nightspots can be hard to find.

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