Eighty Four, EC2

Bit of an institution and a popular meeting place for Hoxton’s young urbanites and, strangely, London’s push bike couriers. Inside the first impression is one of a junk shop but then you realise that this is ordered junk. A display of black & white TV’s and old computer monitors is stacked by the entrance, a number of modern sculptures are dotted around and the walls are covered with artistic graffiti (allegedly there‘s a Banksy there somewhere). The seating has to be some of the most uncomfortable and ranges from a couple of rickety bar stools, formica seated kitchen chairs and ripped sofas with exposed springs. Bare wires and uneven floors complete the tatty effect which you think must be deliberate. It’s worth a visit for curiosity purposes but do it soon, planning permission has been given to the owners of the building, Art’otel, to pull it down and redevelop the site.

I’ve found myself in here a couple of times and I’m still not sure what to make of it. It has a student bar feel with art school pieces decorating this dimly lit space that has random cheap furniture dotted around. The staff have been very friendly on both of my visits, but the Guinness has not been great each time. The clientele are predominantly students, but there was also a large courier bike rider contingent on my first visit. There are better pubs in this area.