Located on the corner of Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Road, Verge is perfectly placed to offer something for everyone in the East End. But is its geography a blessing or a poisoned chalice?

The Venue
Verge is about as unspectacular a place as you'll find in the increasingly design-dependent East. There are no giant rubber sculptures, no novelty urinals, no Oriental entrees - and the bar is much better for it. What spartan decor there is works; it's all in the right place and it aids the bar's universal appeal. Verge, with its unfussy vibe and focus on decent drinks and impeccable service, hopes to pull in all-comers, from the trendy indie kids in Hackney, through Victoria Park's media professionals to the working class staple of Bethnal Green. The bar is packed most evenings, and you can tell why: the mix of inoffensive yet respectable music, great cocktails and more-than-friendly staff help make Verge a vital stop off on any tour of the area.

The Atmosphere
As you'd expect from a bar where most seats are sofas, the atmosphere in Verge is relaxed bordering on sedate. It does get livelier later on but it’s still a lot more chilled out than a lot of its neighbours further up the road. If you're looking for a rocking bar to start festivities it might not be for you, but as a laid-back lounge for those first few after-work bevvies, or as a place to procrastinate, it works perfectly. The bar staff, as previously mentioned, are nothing short of charming and will go the extra mile to ensure the night goes smoothly, and that any cocktail glasses are summarily replenished. The music ranges from trip-hop and house, to golden oldies and indie greats like The Cure and Talking Heads.

The Drink
Rather than bombard its clientele with yards of cocktail options, Verge makes do with 15 - enough to get you thinking but not for too long. Every cocktail is priced between £6.50 and £7, so it's a fair bit cheaper than the self-styled connoisseurs like nearby Lounge Lover and Beach Blanket Babylon. There are plenty of old favourites on show such as the Mojito and Caipirinha, but if you want to go for an authentic taste you could do a lot worse than the Brick Lane Marguerita, a spicy mix of chilli, mango puree, lime juice, tequila and Grand Marnier. It's definitely one for the boys, but the way the chillis gently slap the back of your throat is worth the price alone. Another great on offer is the Pomito, a pomegranate take on the classic Mojito, which has a strangely moreish taste. Other good originals include the Effen Blind (cherry and vanilla vodka, cherry and raspberry purees, cranberry juice and bitters), an extremely sweet and girly number with a refreshing hit which is bettered only by the Sailor's Daquiri (Sailor Jerry rum, lime and cloudy apple). Seasonal drinks include Pimm's Ginger Smash (Pimm's, bitters, mint, lime and sugar) and Refresher (think of the retro sweets but made out of Grey Goose, vanilla syrup, lemon, apple and cranberry), both of which should become great summer hits. In short, the cocktails here can hold their own against similarly priced competition not only round these parts but in London as a whole.

If cocktails aren't your bag, draught beers include Kronenbourg, Guinness and Amstel, all £3.60 a pint, whereas a summery pint of Bulmers sets you back £4. Bottled options range from Peroni, Corona and Bud (£3.50) to oddities like Vedett and Moosehead at £4. The wine list isn't too adventurous, weighing in with three whites and reds and just the one rose, all priced between £14 and £18 a bottle, and for those with a dispensation for the high life, you can go for the Christian De Montaille NV Champagne at £40 a pop.

The Last Word
Verge threatens to be boring, but isn't. Its interior may appear unremarkable to some but, in truth, it's just a toned-down lounge bar which doesn't pretend to be anything else. Its position means it’s almost guaranteed footfall, but the great staff and even greater cocktail menu ensure that Verge has got a lot more to offer than its address.

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