426-428 Streatham High Road,
Streatham,
London,
SW16 3PX
(020) 8764 3985
The ViewLondon Review
A venue that describes itself as a ‘cornerstone of the community in Streatham’, The Waterfront offers locals a relaxed watering hole.
The Venue
The Waterfront is a large, corner-positioned building that catches the eye courtesy of its white and maroon exterior. Inside, despite being a proud independent bar, the decor is more chain-like in appearance. A neutral colourscheme, plenty of simple wooden tables and chairs strewn across the space, and a large dark bar acting as a centrepiece, are complemented by flashes of foliage and plenty of windows. However, some inspiration has been employed with nice prints of famous stars from Jack Nicholson to Marilyn Monroe. More impressive is the sizeable decked outdoor area with plenty of benches complete with parasols and pretty flowers.
The Atmosphere
As with most of the venues in Streatham, The Waterfront mainly attracts locals with many of these being younger patrons in their twenties, although not exclusively so. Despite its chain bar aesthetic, the service is more in line with what you’d expect from an independent bar with a genuine friendliness you only get from staff who care about where they work. Every month they host a comedy night alongside occasional themed events and happy hour evenings.
The Food
The food at The Waterfront shows some care and attention has gone into their offering and instead of the same old burgers or overpriced gastro fare, they have a selection of Italian dishes. Most of the starters come in at less than a fiver and cover everything from antipasto to stuffed mushrooms. Mains include a choice of salads (all for under £10) or ciabatta sandwiches (less than £5) depending on how hungry you are but it’s the pizza selection that most catches the eye. With a large choice of mozzarella-based pizzas on offer, mainly priced at less than £10, the menu also includes some more unusual selections like the Maggiore with mozzarella, tomato, chorizo, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes. It goes to show that this is a bar that relies heavily on repeat custom and tries to ensure its punters are kept happy. This is further underlined by the fact that they offer free food delivery to locals as well.
The Drink
There’s an above average choice of white and red wines at The Waterfront with old and new world options covered and all of the bottles are well described on the menu to make your selection as easy as possible. There are also a couple of roses, sparkling wines and champagnes to choose from. The cocktails can’t live up to the quality of many of London’s better cocktail bars but for the price they’re above average for a bar of this type. The Strawberry Bubbles (cava with wild strawberry Fragoli) is just £6 for a pleasantly sparkly, slightly over-sweet cocktail that slips down easily. Similarly, the Toblerone(Baileys, Kahlua, butterscotch schnapps, Absolut vanilla, Amaretto and milk) for £6.50 tastes dangerously like a creamy milkshake and will be gone in two gulps or less. If they’re a little girly for you then a pretty standard selection of lagers includes a decent Amstel or Kronenbourg or draught.
The Last Word
The Waterfront is an above average neighbourhood bar that prides itself on offering locals a pleasant place to drink. An aim it certainly achieves.
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