Ridley Road Market Bar

Whichever genius decided to convert a scruffy store halfway down a traditional London marketplace into a tiki dive bar deserves a medal. It’s resolutely egalitarian (no reservations, no guestlist: just show up and get merry), the decor is almost laughably DIY, the hooch is as cheap as you’ll find in Dalston and the tunes – reggae, motown and party pop – keep the joint solidly jumping until 3am at the weekend. There’s a surprisingly respectable cocktail menu too, served informally in plastic tumblers. The ginger mojito brings welcome warmth to that minty old stalwart, the piña colada especially goes down a treat amid the cheesy beach bar vibes.