The ViewLondon Review
Hidden under the railway arches at the bottom of Clapham High Street is one of the best late night bars in town – Arch 635.The VenueUnsurprisingly, Arch 635 is one big arch. The roof curves over the space with exposed brick, and there’s occasionally the rumble of a train passing overhead (the Eurostar travels across here). Comfy leather chairs scatter the bar, and a roomy dancefloor takes pride of place. There’s a big screen (biggest in Clapham, apparently) for watching big games, and table football for weekend afternoon lounging.
The AtmosphereThe crowd at Arch 635 is friendly, cool and funky - just like the bar itself. Most drunken revellers on Clapham High Street make a beeline for meat market Infernos, leaving quite a different vibe and clientele here. There’s always space on the dancefloor and, despite the small size of the bar and the low ceilings, it doesn’t feel too cramped or sweaty.
Weekdays are a more chilled affair, and weekend afternoons even more so - punters can relax with the papers and a Bloody Mary in a hassle-free environment as long as they like.
The MusicDJs set up on Fridays and Saturdays and play a mixture of funk, house and disco to keep the crowds of partygoers entertained.
The DrinkThere’s a good cocktail list at Arch 635 with classics like caipirinha and Long Island Iced Tea, as well as a well stocked bar and plenty of beers on tap and by the bottle. The prices are pretty good for London, especially for uber-cool Clapham.
The Last WordTruly a hidden gem - with the extra bonus of no charge to get in and enjoy its delights - Arch 635 is a winner in all categories.