Mojo

With its motto ‘Music For The People’ emblazoned above the well-stocked bar, and the array of rock ’n’ roll and Americana memorabilia adorning its walls, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that Mojo is about music first and drinks second. To an extent, that’s true, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are plenty of places to drink, but very few of them are as adept as Mojo at providing unpretentious, cocktail-fuelled good times.

The owner describes the weathered decor as ‘clean but dirty at the same time, like some long forgotten blues riff’. But there’s more to Mojo than the sounds of the 60s – it’s as in love with modern classics as it is with Hendrix and Harrison. That eclectic mix, along with the TV screens that display the artist, song title and album of every track, is in keeping with its ethos.

To keep up with the times, however, Mojo has started offering bar snacks in the form of chicken wings and sliders. The beer selection is limited – there are no craft or local ales – but this is more than made up for by the huge variety of reasonably priced cocktails and shooters.

Its cramped Merrion Street location, combined with its popularity, means it can get very busy very quickly, particularly on weekends. But its vibrant atmosphere and close proximity to bars that offer a similar ambience and music, such as It Bar, The Reform, Verve and Sandinista!, make it an attractive alternative to Call Lane’s clutch of late-night drinking dens. Oh, and like the Belgrave, dancing on the tables is acceptable.