The ViewLondon Review
Located on Penton Street, Islington, the 6-year-old Chapel Bar is so much more than you imagine. Yes it’s a trendy, cool, hip bar in the heart of Islington, but it’s also open for weddings and wedding receptions, corporate functions, birthday parties, media showcases and all the obvious club nights!The VenueThe venue is sumptuous, with large black leather sofas all around the edge of the downstairs bar and smart square leather squat stools to match on the opposite side of the tables - so not to get in the way of the upstanding drinkers on a busy night. The walls are freshly painted grey, which isn’t as dull as you might imagine, just classy and contemporary - working in the sparkly black granite bar beautifully.
The bar itself is fantastically ornate with chapel window shapes carved out of the wood right across the length. The same shape carries on the general theme of the bar (hence the name) throughout: the archway that leads to the dancefloor, the mirrors in the toilets - you get the gist. The dancefloor is at the very end of the room in its own space, so if you prefer to sit or stand in a quieter area you don’t have to fight your way through the dancing crowd. Upstairs is where the Chapel really stands out from the crowd, with their amazing terrace that stays open until 1am and seats 40 people for dinner. It’s also a great place to have a ciggy and watch the world pass beneath you. They do have an outside area downstairs for smokers too, so they really have thought of everything!
The AtmosphereComfortable is a good word to sum the atmosphere up here. Once you sit in the large squishy sofas with a delicious cocktail or two, you won’t want to move - unless there’s a wicked track playing, of course! The staff are very friendly and love to help you out with the cocktail and food menus. The management are new and only too happy to assist you – nothing’s too much trouble when trying to book a function or reserve an area.
The MusicThere is a really great space where the DJ booth and dancefloor are located, and the DJ is raised high in a dark wood, carved out Alter – very appropriate! With a 2k turbo sound system, technics and pioneer DJ equipment you know you’re ears are in for a treat. They play different music on each night depending on what promoter has the venue, so its always best to check their listings if your fussy. If you want the heads up, you can expect everything from ‘Opendecksession,’ – new DJs showing what they’re made of - to the usual funky, soulful house, tech house, deep house, electro, dirty, and progressive house. It’s a pretty mixed bag for everyone to let their hair down and get their teeth into.
The FoodThe menu at The Chapel Bar is based on a Mediterranean theme. The bar menu consists of snacks like chunky chips and chicken wings with a more extensive main meal menu offering steamed mussels, teriyaki chicken and spicy beef salad. You can also opt for a tempting Greek, spicy, Oriental, Middle Eastern or a mixed grill platter to share.
The DrinkThe cocktail list is always being updated and improved and they offer a decent happy hour. Cocktails are order of the day here, including the highly recommended Berry Springer – whiskey, raspberry, cranberry and lemon making for a sweet and sour flavour with a real kick. Also very good is the old classic caipirinha – just the right portion of cacacha and sugar with lots of fresh lime to compliment. Champagnes can be bought by the bottle or glass ranging from a cava at £18 to Crystal at £239! Including the gorgeous, dry but fruity Laurent Perrier Rose at £80 there is a pretty extensive wine list containing a Pinot Grigio at £14, a La Serrana Rose at £13 and an Argentinean red at £18. Bottled beers and liqueurs are also available.
The Last WordThis place really does stand out when it comes to what’s on offer in the area. Welcoming, accommodating, and relaxing The Chapel Bar should definitely be on your ‘must visit’ list!