Chicago Rib Shack, NW1

Official site of Chicago Rib Shack - www.thechicagoribshack.co.uk

Official site of Chicago Rib Shack - www.thechicagoribshack.co.uk

There’s no denying that this bar occupies a pretty enviable location, perched as it is, above Camden Lock in the midst of the busy market and clearly visible from the main road. The bar is part of a complex that includes Dingwalls live music venue and Jongleurs Comedy Club. The pub is accessed via a set of steps from the ground floor market area. You enter into the large bare boarded main bar area with the servery running the length of the back wall. The bar back bizarrely incorporates a drum kit and a collection of teapots – not the most obvious decorative accessories – and has a large screen TV in the middle which was broadcasting Sky Sports News. The room has bare bricked walls with a high gabled ceiling and has rows of bench and low stool seating opposite the bar and a barrel with high stools to the left hand side. The walls have been decorated with a mix of mirrors, blackboards, wooden art works and gig posters, with a chap setting up for an acoustic performance on the far side of the room during my stay, close to the open kitchen. Stairs to the left lead up to a mezzanine area which offers good views down over the main bar and a series of potted plants hang from the banister rail. Three large curved banquettes stand along the front wall, creating spacious seating booths, although this isn’t particularly ideal for smaller groups looking for somewhere to sit. A door to the rear leads out to a nice outdoor decked seating area and a balcony looking down over the canal. When I arrived, a film crew were setting up at the bar to film an advert for some sort of social media wristband, and I inadvertently wandered right into the middle of the bunch of actors in my attempt to get served. It wasn’t really worth the hassle, as there was nothing of interest on at the bar. There are no hand pumps and the keg options were fairly mainstream. I noticed a Samuel Adams keg font, but the utterly disinterested barman told me it was off and failed to mention a possible alternative. After trying to scan the fridges, I settled on a 330ml bottle of Hoegaarden, which set me back £4.20 (the same prices are charged at the bar in Dingwalls as well, so no price advantage in having pre-gig drinks here). This is a fairly bland bar that doesn’t have much going for it beyond the location and outdoor seating area. It might be worth a look if you fancy catching so low key live music or if social media wristbands are your thing, but I didn’t really like the place and doubt I’ll return.