Opium, Bath

Very much the same as described by Blackthorne 9 years ago, including the high prices, and even down to the joss stick smell. Finding the entrance was made easier by the presence of a scruffy individual who we thought was one of Bath’s homeless, shrouded in the output of an extreme vaping thing, who was impossible not to notice – however it turned out to be the barman. No draft beers or ciders at all on offer, I went for a bottle of Bath Gem which was sold with a 400% mark-up, and initially with a glass covered in lipstick. Of note, we were the only customers in for the duration of our visit. Cocktails were similarly risibly priced. It was a pleasant and interesting place to sit but the poor hygiene, ridiculous prices and lack of draft beer or cider don’t make me want to come back. If I wanted to sit on my own in smelly, damp surroundings, on battered old furniture looking at useless antiques while drinking bottled beer from a dirty glass I’d stay at home.

Opium official site (Requires Flash) - www.opiumbars.com