Havana nights in Clapham

The clouds were threatening to burst at any moment on the night we went to The Clapham North in, you've guessed it, Clapham North. The air was charged with a pre-storm electricity as people milled up and down the high street looking to kick start the weekend on a Thursday night. Too hot to do anything fast, too close to stay indoors.

The tables outside the bar (which is opposite the Tube station) provide a perfect vantage for people watching. It has taken over from the Bedford - a venue that won't really be missed — and from the looks of it they've spent quite a few quid. It makes quite an impression with its fat leather armchairs, white sixties swirly seats and high-seated booths by the window. The design is cosy, kitsch and smart.

There is a good range of beers on tap featuring Staropramen, Stella, Hoegaarden and Leffe, but sadly none of the softer ones for a lightweight like myself. A Carling or Fosters wouldn’t go amiss here. But to compensate the wine list is good — and something about this place lends itself to wine more than beer anyway. Bottles range from around £10 for a Cuvee le Bosq to £24 for Chateauneuf du Pape. Feeling a little more adventurous? The cocktail list is pretty exotic, with most coming in around the £6.50 mark. I liked the three berry caprioska, ‘fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and limes muddled with brown sugar, vodka and crushed ice,’ yum.

Jazz bands perform here on Thursdays — and while they could do with losing some of the volume inside, to hear it humming in the background while the traffic rolled past the tables out front was really quite pleasant.

There’s a good selection of nibbles and eats here, but they do seem a little on the pricey side. The Moroccan platter, featuring marinated lamb cutlets, couscous salad, coriander spiced tomatoes, toasted pitta bread and dips comes in at £15.75, though it is meant for two to three to share. (On jazz night Thursdays there’s a deal where you can get this plus bottle of wine for £15, which seems pretty good value.) The bar opens for brunch at weekends and while it might make a pretty suave alternative to the greasy spoon, Eggs Royale at £6.25 might take a little convincing.

I’ll be going back to the Clapham North, it’s a little exotic addition to this end of town and it’s attracting a good crowd.

The Clapham North
409 Clapham Road, SW9 9BT