A bit of a Smartie

Fans of Brixton's well-established Living bar will dig Mish Mash - a recently launched sister operation, on an increasingly interesting drag in downtown Battersea.

This Carnaby Street-inspired, swinging DJ bar, with its stylish interior, populist music policy and late licence, is odds-on to outlast previous incumbents at this 'whatever-the-hell-next?' corner site, just off Queenstown Road.

The design inspiration is a tube of Smarties, their poppy, bright tones referenced in colour clash, lowlevel leather seating and at a chunky, chocolatey bar, where globe pendant lights progress chameleon-like through all possible colour permutations.

Coupled with some tricksy acid-trip effect projections, this can leave punters looking less than in the pink. But bare wires dangling from the ceiling suggest that this problem is being addressed.

No quibbles about a range of 40 classic and quirky cocktails. Try the signature Smartini - citron vodka, crËme de cacao and orange bitters - or a healthy(ish) banana and strawberry gin-based smoothie, the Junction Sling, both at £5.50.

There are six familiar draught lagers on tap, but the by-the-glass wine selection (three of each and one rosè) is weak.

Snacks include platters of wellpresented veggie dips, Italian hams and salamis. Mushroom burgers tasting, bizarrely, of Xmas pudding, dense lentil croquettes and flaccid samosas sound the only truly duff note at the Lavender Hill Mob's latest HQ.

45 Lavender Hill SW11. Tel: 020 7326 7455. Tube: Clapham Common

Mish Mash
45 Lavender Hill, SW11 5RQ