Barchick Says

The guys behind Kensal Rise’s hottest new hang out are all laid back, cool, and creative – and that’s exactly what this bar is all about. Opening a bar has been their lifelong dream, you can see a lot of love and attention has been put into every inch of the place; from the vintage porn in the boys loos to the bar, which is handmade out of original WW2 wooden crates.

Since everything in here is for sale (why it’s called The Shop), you could come drinking and find yourself leaving with an antique table, a new print or having learnt how to make cakes and cocktails in one of their masterclasses. Busier on the weekends, with owner Luke’s love of music, there’ll always be some good beats, but be sure to come down for their monthly music night, where the guest DJs will really up the stakes.

The cocktails start at £3.50 for the “Size Zero”: low calorie and cheap, perfect for your skinny date; but I’d get stuck into the “Once Loved”, which comes in a vintage milk bottle so you’ll feel like your back in the school playground. “The Shop Assistant” and the “Queue Barge” were pretty good too. Shots of Jaegermister come in mini marmalade pots, and the DIY bloody Marys –aka the “Pick & Mix Mary” – go perfectly with the Sunday papers. Just be careful not to get too stuck in, cos you might get carried away and end up buying half the bar!