If you don’t, I’m an east London girl. Well, adopted, that is.
Many years ago I left SW crying on the front seat of a moving van, clutching a box containing my most precious shoes towards east London. I never looked back and now I can say E is definitely home.
Amongst the (maybe many) bars I go to, the Hoxton Square Bar does hold some find memories of my ex (yes, very fond) so I was delighted to be invited back as they have seen quite a few changes since I last visited.
Currently, the bar is dressed in the beautiful Chanovsky “RGB Universe” exhibition, on until 29th June 2019. The artist presents on the wall three different artworks, that can be seen when the light changes to red, green and blue (get it?), so it makes for great surroundings.
Now, I had the cheeky Don’t go to Dalston cocktail, which is so fresh with raspberries and lime, made with my favourite tipple, vodka, and topped with prosecco.
So good I stuck to it, but there’s a whole menu of cocktails priced £9 and £9.50, as well as the usual bar fare – beers from and wine from £4.70 (bottle) and £4.80 (pint) and wine from £4.90 a glass and £20 a bottle.
To eat, Orange Buffalo serves up a filling selection of food. You can of course, have their speciality, chicken wings, with 7 sauces to choose from. Legend has it a person fainted after having it, so proceed with caution.
Being the wimp I am, I went for the Sgt. Slawter burger (£8.50) – succulent breadcrumbed chicken thigh on a potato bun, with cheese and, well, a mild sauce.
It was so filling and I couldn’t stop eating even though I should’ve! And of course, on the side, their home curly fries (£3.50), which I may say, are deliciously crunchy and extremely flavoursome.
Service was great and fast – although they don’t do table service, ordering and receiving the order was very smooth. And you can book tables.
My friend had the vegan option, the cauliflower “wings” (£8) – battered cauliflower served with hot sauce, coriander, sesame seeds and slaw and she approved!
There’s also a gorgeous veggie burger on offer and if mine is anything to go by, I think it’s a winner!
Oh, and they have a photobooth – £3 for 2 prints and you can email the image over – and it has a wind machine!
Adjacent to the back of the bar, there’s a live music area, where they hold at least one live gig a week and during the weekend it turns into a club!
Hoxton Square Bar also has a private events room, the Green Room, with a bar and DJ booth, which holds around 100 people.
I hear they are going through a bit refurb in the summer, so doubtless will be even better!
Get yourself down for a basket of wings and to check the exhibition before the end of June. You can check out what’s on on their website.
You know the drill, but I’ll say anyway: this is an AD as the experience on the evening was GIFTED. This review, however, is based on my experience and reflects my honest opinion.
Oh, how fun it is to be a blogger…. even below zero!
I had been before, many years ago, so thought I knew it was going to be the same. What I didn’t know is that they change their theme every year.
My favourite bit is, doubtless, the huge skull, which weighs 1 tonne and you can get inside! Huge photo opportunity, right there.
There are extremely detailed – and ambitious – sculptures. Just check the original artwork from Joey Hifi and spot the hidden references, including Bowie, on the rock singer tattoos.
From only £13.50 or £16.50, you get 40 minutes at -5 degrees and a delicious cocktail (bigger than it looks!) inside an ice glass. Cool, eh?
So Many Lovely Things 