Spinning off from its glitter ball-loving south London sister – a bar with the same name in the centre of Peckham Levels – is this Camden hangout that definitely got the dress code memo. And in these times, there’s not a thing I don’t like about its silly, feelgood look. Think a backlit bar, woven cocoon chairs suspended from the ceiling and flamingos peeping out from corners, all spread across four bijou floors. We sat on ground level by the bar as you enter, but only because those retro chairs were occupied in the pink-hued snug down below, and there were hardly any punters in the restaurant or rooftop room above. It was a good position, though, in the company of the bar’s approachable puppy.
We also had the right timing, with happy hour guaranteeing us two-for-one on all the cocktails (usually £8.50 each). If I’d been paying full whack, I’d have been pretty disappointed with the Benedict Cucumberbatch, a wishy-washy gin, prosecco and cucumber number. I prefered a Negroni stirred down with herbs and botanicals, The Emergency Brexit – no surprises that it left a bitter taste in the mouth. It was apparently our waitress’s first day and the enthusiastic welcome we received and service throughout ensured we had a good time. I’d probably return for just that: a very happy, happy hour. But maybe I’d stick to the beers next time.