Table football plus a myriad of bottled beers plus Shoreditch hipsters equals a fun soccer bar.

The Venue
Bar Kick is, as you may have guessed, a football-themed boozer. But no replica England shirts or Rooney posters are glimpsed here. More like a continental cafe in style, you feel you’ve walked into a football-loving retro-furniture-collecting Frenchman’s place - which is better than it sounds. No two chairs are identical and the walls hang with South American cigar adverts and esoteric, continental football memorabilia. It’s on two levels, both of which fill easily when a match is on telly.

The Atmosphere
Shoreditch High Street is a phrase to strike fear into any young boy’s heart, and, hey, you’ll find asymmetrical haircuts and ironic t-shirts here. But you’ll also find tanned Europeans playing table football and enjoying themselves mightily. Be warned: the crack of goals scored shall punctuate every conversation. The barstaff are as friendly as any you’re likely to find in the East End. And bring a cattle prod if you wish to find a seat when the match is shown on one of the few screens. That, or arrive early.

The Food
Trendy organic munchies includes usual gastro fare such as salad lyonnaise, and a nice selection of European-informed sandwiches. Tasty stuff, and prices are what you’d expect in an East End bar. Not cheap, but no mugging is necessary, either.

The Drink
There’s a great selection of continental bottled beer. Some Bar Kick original cocktails, too, such as the ‘Sweet Mexican Kick’ - a mix of gold tequila, pineapple juice and coconut syrup with a float of grenadine. As with food, prices aren’t cheap, but you won’t drop dead in shock at the expense.

The Last Word
A football bar with a twist. Great beers. Fun crowd. Just get there early if you want to watch a match, and make double sure your wrists are supple enough for the inevitable games of table football.

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