Hampstead Bars
The Gallery – 190 Broadhurst Gardens
Just a two minute walk from West Hampstead station, the Gallery, with its unique combination of great quality food and superb choice of wines, beers and cocktails came second in the “best local bar” category for the LBC/Independent Living London Awards in 2005. An extremely popular neighbourhood locale, it is the perfect venue for the chic and trendy. Set over two floors, the basement level yields a small and intimate dining area whereas the ground floor with overlooking balcony is styled in more of a traditional style with wood floors and exposed brickwork. Although there are no ales, beers on tap include Kirin, Red Stripe and Erdinger. The cocktails come highly recommended. A Moscow Mule comprising Stolichnaya vodka, fresh lime, ginger beer and bitters and the Cosmopolitan, a blend of citrus vodka, triple sec, cranberry and lime are just two of the many favourites of the bar. Mixed drinks are also available and Happy Hour is between 5 and 7pm most days.
Eclipse – 283-285 Westend Lane
A modern and funky venue which attracts the local professionals as well as the young and trendy inhabitants of Hampstead. The decor is sleek, stream-lined and contemporary and the perfect backdrop for its bare brick walls, superb wood fittings, leather seating and long sweeping bar. Although the accent here is on delicious fresh fruit cocktails, there are also three draught lagers available on tap as well as bottled beers, wines and spirits. Both classic and original cocktail concoctions are available, however, highly recommended are the NW6 Specials, signature cocktails of Eclipse. The NW6 Long Grape, a shaken mix of pear vodka, cointreau and grapes is a firm favourite. An efficient table service is offered with excellent bar snacks and meals provided by Cocoon, the sister restaurant of Eclipse. Friday and Saturday evenings have a 1am license with various DJ’s playing soulful, funky house music.
Lower Ground Bar – 269 West End Lane
Dubbed West Hampstead’s Premier Nightspot, the Lower Ground Bar certainly lives up to it’s name. Wednesday nights are comedy nights featuring a host of hugely talented stand-up comedians. There are also jazz evenings when the club offers the ultimate in value and entertainment hosting top quality musicians, the crème de la crème of the London jazz scene. Having been open for eight years now, the Lower Ground Bar, with its unique combination of lure and pizzazz, has swiftly established itself as one of the top venues in North London. The layout is fairly spacious, yet intimate with a dance floor, seating area and chill-out room. Private parties, whether it be for a business conference, birthday or anniversary celebration, can be catered for with full facilities available. The area is well connected by public transport and there is a night bus service for those going home, as well as a number of reasonably priced local mini-cab companies.
