ReviewThis is a simple bar and live music venue located a short way from Seven Sisters station. The place comprises a single, tiled floor room with a stage to the rear for the music, which may be ticketed, making the place inaccessible to casual drinkers at certain times. The servery is to the left on entering and has a dark wood counter and matching, mirrored bar back, with a cat asleep at one end of the counter, which to be fair, fronts an unused space that mainly provides the bar staff with somewhere to take a break. The seating opposite comprises a couple of sofas, simple chairs and lots of low stools, whilst the rear space is dominated by the stage and dancefloor, so there were no seats back here, although the configuration may well be different if visiting during the day. A few random art prints line the walls including a big Frida Kahlo portrait and a landscape of Venice, but other aside from these, the walls were quite bare except for two graffiti style murals on the front wall. The bar’s name hints at the building’s former use as a post office, and various relics of this era can be found around the place, including a fake post box at the end of the bar, which was being used to prop up various bits of the sound/light technician’s equipment, a Post Office sign on the bar back, and some old sorting shelves that are now home to a book swap. Bunting and a glitter ball above the dancefloor add some colour and sparkle and it’s worth noting that the stage is very low, so it can be hard to see much if you’re not stood near the front. To the rear is a covered garden with loads more seating and access to the unisex toilets.
Like most live music venues in the capital, there’s no cask ale, but they did have keg options from Beaverton, ELB and other a few other local microbreweries. I found myself drinking the Redemption Solar at £6.50 a pint, which was a sessionable enough drop, and I found all of the staff to be nice and friendly, including the lady on the door who went to great lengths to help me find out what the unbilled opening act of the night were called.
I’d never heard of this place until a band I had been trying to catch for a while announced a gig here, and I have to say, it’s a decent enough place to catch some new music as long as the place isn’t too packed. From the perspective of a pub-goers, it becomes a less impressive proposition, feeling more like a café than a pub, although a couple of decent keg options, comfy furniture and a nice, covered garden are all plus points. I’m sure I’ll be back for some more music one day, but if you’re looking for a good drinking venue, keep heading up the road for several better options.
Date of visit - 10th October 2024
