Barts

Taking its inspiration from the American speakeasy movement, Barts is a tiny, intimate and relaxed bar in South Kensington which promises a refreshingly fun experience - providing you can find the damned place. Located on the ground floor of a 30s residential building on Sloane Avenue, Barts isn't a bar you'd ever stumble upon. Once through the unremarkable foyer, you find yourself in a cupboard sized, windowless space covered with Mickey Mouse wallpaper. There you have to ring a buzzer and (once given a one-over by the doorman through a small flap in the door) you'll finally be granted entrance (or sent packing). On the other side (should you get in) there are about a dozen small tables in a compact room adorned with clutter and bric a brac: comics, clocks, framed portraits, number plates, old radios and squash rackets, pewter tankards, a "thirst aid" box and luggage stacked in overhead holders. There's even a dressing-up box - which might explain the staff's bizarre lederhosen-style uniforms. Beers come in 2/3 pint glasses while there's a decent cocktail and wine list plus a no-frills bar menu of feel-good snacks. People will inevitably be snooty about places like Barts due to its West London location and Sloaney connotations (it doesn't help that the owners have a separate venture called? Kitts) but the long and short of it is that this is a fun place to hang out and a cool addition to an otherwise rather uncool area.