Barrio is tucked away in the heart of Battersea Village by the Thames - a hidden gem for those in the know.

The Venue
This intimate bar was fully refitted in spring 2007. The decor at Barrio is simple with its red and black scheme, white walls and white tiled floor. There are black leather sofas on either side as you come in and a black banquette running along the left-hand wall with the bar opposite. At the end of the room is an upright piano with two turntables perched on it for DJ nights. The toilets are at the back and sport sun and moon symbols respectively - so take your pick.

The Atmosphere
The owners exude friendliness and make Barrio what it is. The bar draws a cosmopolitan crowd and it’s not unusual to see single females sitting at the counter or reading a paper at a table. The music here is always top notch - it’s the focal point of the square - and in the good weather when the tables are outside and it’s buzzing, you could be in Rome or Madrid.

The Drink
Barrio serves Kirin and Red Stripe on draught (around £3.10) and there are bottles of Mexican beers - Modelo, Bohemia, Pacifico and Modelo Negro (£3.20). There’s a good cocktail list and the favourites are mojitos, caipirinhas and, of course, margaritas, which are some of the best in town. Cocktails cost around £5.95 each and the signature one is Carlito’s Way - New Zealand 42 Below vodka, Midori, sours, grenadine and fresh blackberries and kiwis, all blended and served up in a salt-rimmed Margarita glass. The bar’s tequilas include Patron, Centenario and the superlative Don Julio - both Blanco and Reposado (eight-month aged). They have just introduced an impressive new wine list, which consists of mainly European and South American bottles, such as the soft, fruity and floral Argentinian Finca La Linda Viognier, which costs £4.40 a glass or £15.80 a bottle.

The Last Word
A friendly, cool intimate place which embraces all comers, Barrio is one of London’s gems and has remained a local secret for long enough.

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