The Basement

Formerly staffed exclusively by barmen in garish Hawaiian shirts, the Basement has recently transferred its more exuberant décor to the walls, with a Mexicano theme encompassing luchadors, senoritas and Dia de los Muertos masks. The theme extends to menus for both food (big burritos, fajitas and highly snackable fish tacos) and drinks (a large range of tequilas and tequila-based cocktails). In case you’re not in the mood for such a strong Latino vibe, there’s also a decent selection of beers on draught (Sam Adams, Blue Moon, Estrella) and non-regional, inoffensively upbeat electro-pop and acoustica on the stereo. And if the bar staff seem friendly in a somewhat stretched, harried manner, and if the bar snacks are maybe a little bit stale, it’s more than a fair trade-off for being on the cusp of the city’s buzzing gay quarter on a Friday or Saturday night.