For a hard night of partying City-style, Mustard Bar and Lounge is the ideal spot.

The Venue
Nestled in a detached two-storey building, Mustard Bar and Lounge is hidden away in a courtyard near St Paul’s Cathedral. Finding it isn’t easy, but once you do, you become part of a privileged group of people in-the-know.

On the ground floor, the decor contains Moroccan and Middle Eastern elements with elaborately carved wooden tables matched with comfortable chairs with exotic upholstery. They also have a shisha lounge just outside. Here, under a white marquee, you can sit on black panton chairs or stools covered in cow skin.

The first floor, which has two outdoor areas, is just as stylish. Dimly lit and split across two levels – one is members only - the decor centres around curtains of brass beads. Ultra contemporary tall black tables furnish the area opposite the bar, whilst low couches and wall benches are used in the members area.

The Atmosphere
Populated mostly by City workers, Mustard Bar and Lounge provides much more than the classic pint after work and this is reflected by the crowd. There is a general party atmosphere here, helped along by a DJ. Those coming here for drinks, plan ahead. With Superman-like efficiency, City girls transform out of their work clobber into something more suited to a night out here. Think understated glamour.

The Food
The ‘finger and fork’ menu (£15 per head) allows you to pick and choose from different small dishes. These include sundried tomato parcels, oriental dim sum, crispy salmon brochette, minted lamb koftas and finger food. A short evening menu is also available and includes burgers (£6-£6.50) and sharing platters (£6-£14.50). You can choose from a Mediterranean vegetable and mozzarella burger, a Cajun Latino chicken burger or nachos.

However, the platters are by far the best option with a choice between the tempting vegetarian option (including falafel, vegetable sausage, and sweet and sour pot stickers), a meat plate (lamb koftas, spicy chicken wings, pork wrapped in bacon, beef meatballs) and a fisherman’s platter (white fish goujons, Thai battered king prawn, calamari rings and more).

The Drink
Cocktails are priced at £6.50-£8 and many are reduced to £5 during the daily happy hour (every day, 5pm-7pm). You can choose from classics like the mojito, caipirinha, Kir Royale, or opt for their signature cocktails. The Mustard Dipity (gin, vanilla liqueur, creme de cassis, cranberry juice, lemon and sugar syrup) is bitter sweet with acidic notes.

The wine list comprises two dozen whites, reds and roses, with bottles priced at £12-£38 (a few are also available by the glass). There is also plenty of Champagne, starting at £35 for a bottle of Mercier Brut (£9 for a glass), rising to £180 for vintage Krug and £290 for the ubiquitous City favourite Cristal.

Quality spirits and liqueurs complete the list. Have you been hit by the recession? Opt for a beer (£3.10-£3.50 for draughts and £3.30-£3.50 per bottle) with a choice that includes Kronenbourg, Amstel, Corona, Peroni and San Miguel.

The Last Word
Hidden away with an underlying feeling of exclusivity, Mustard Bar and Lounge provides a party atmosphere in the kind of unpretentious stylish surroundings that are a rarity in The City.

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