Conveniently located on the corner of Shoreditch High Street and Rivington Street, this site of many a failed venue has finally and firmly found its feet with the ever-popular Dragon Bar.

The Venue
Although Dragon Bar is only a stone’s throw from its former abode (on Leonard Street), the venue couldn’t be any more different – say goodbye skanky New York Lower East Side hang-out and hello stylish, cool and sophisticated East London bar. A judicious amalgam of saloon bar, hunting lodge and cocktail bar, Dragon Bar’s well-crafted interior reeks of testosterone, from the heavy metal doors, steely structural features and cool grey stone walls to moody lighting and statement stag horns that dominate the entrance.

There are bars both upstairs and down, with the downstairs one operating during busier periods only. The basement with its intimately organised leather sofas and chairs, and virtually non-existent lighting is the loungeier of the two and makes for a decent date setting.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is reflective of the way in which Dragon Bar is one for East London local residents rather than the visiting hordes that fill the streets of Shoreditch every weekend. It is guaranteed to be consistently busy right from its daytime opening up until late-night closing, and lends itself well to a spot of lunch as much as stiff cocktails on a Friday night. Despite how packed out it can get, particularly at the weekends, the staff are always incredibly helpful and good-natured.

The Food
Tantalising aromas from the kitchen hit you as soon as you walk in and the food definitely tastes as good as it smells. A daily-changing gastro-style selection of around 5-6 mains are priced at £9.50 to around the £14 mark, but if you fancy something lighter there are plenty of substantial bar snacks on offer, including nachos, a selection of hams, cheese and breads, beef burgers and a steak sandwich. Sunday dinners are also popular, with a nut roast costing £9.50 and whatever meat they're serving on the day stretching to £12.50. From 12pm-5pm during the week, lunch costs an impressive £5. Great if you work in the ‘hood.

The Drink
Give or take a few pence, the drinks prices are in keeping with the local average and three types of draught lager - Becks Vier, Grolsch and Zatec - cost £3.10-£3.70. A spirit and mixer is just under £4, and everything on the cocktail menu is priced at £7. The bar can be slightly limited on cocktail ingredients but the Espresso Martini comes highly recommended.

The Last Word
There’s little wonder why Dragon Bar, day or night, is never short of punters and remains a popular choice for inhabitants of the area. All aspects of this place are spot on making it one of Shoreditch’s best bars.

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