54 Commercial Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
E1 6LT
0871 971 5481
The ViewLondon Review
So named because it's located on 54 Commercial Road, Bar 54 doesn’t quite measure up to its more hip and happenin’ neighbors just up the road.The VenuePart minimalist, part eclectic, Bar 54 has no coherent style or theme. The space is bright and void of any substantial decor except for the sparse array of tacky one-offs, including multi-colored neon lighting, silver geometric mirrors, and plastic bar stools. There is an open kitchen near the simple (almost unnoticeable) front door, which feels more in tune with a takeaway shop rather than a higher end restaurant and bar. Its one redeeming feature is an unexpectedly nice toilet, which is lit with candles and offers heated towels.
The AtmosphereThe staff at Bar 54 is friendly and attentive to its laid back, somewhat older clientele. Nothing about this venue is particularly interesting or chic, which doesn’t make it a good place to go for a special occasion or before a big night out, and the lighting is too bright to create the right ambiance for a romantic date. It’s only really appropriate for a casual dinner with friends or family.
The FoodBar 54 offers Malaysian and Modern British dining. Its one page menu consists of a selection of dishes with misleading and complicated sounding names and descriptions. But the food itself is actually very basic and does not justify the above average prices. If you do find yourself ordering dinner here opt for the special, which does seem to be a little tastier and elaborate than what’s on the regular menu.
The DrinkThe drink menu consists of a fairly large choice of wines. But if it’s cocktails you’re looking for, don’t expect anything beyond standard.
The Last WordThere’s nothing bad about Bar 54 per se, but with so many other cute venues to eat and drink only a few minutes away, there’s also no reason to seek it out.
Bar 54 has been reviewed by 5 users