Bar Gazer: Clubhouse at Four o Nine

The buzz: a genteel speakeasy-style bar in Clapham that's only open from 11pm until 3am on Friday and Saturday.

The deal: The candlelit room has the right amount of buzz, with a good mix of couples on dates and friends on nights out. As well as full price cocktails, they offer five choices around the £6 mark – pretty good value in London these days. They’re not worth trailing across town for, but definitely worth it if you’re in the area and can find the secret door. Warning: you need to book beforehand.

Good for: A romantic nightcap, or a cocktail-fuelled catch-up with friends.

Order: Hot Buttered Rum (dark rum, brown sugar, nutmeg and butter) and Spiced Port Maria (chili tequila, port and Tia Maria) are comforting, but the standout drink was the Apple Crumble cocktail - a pudding and delectable drink in one, with lots of crunchy crumble to hoover up on top. Irresistible.

By the way: Book in for dinner beforehand - the trout with crab mayonnaise and the venison with salted caramel are exceptional. It's not a very big space, so get in early.