please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Shame that this bar has now gone the way of Ricky Ponting's captaincy and headed down the proverbial crapper.
Went there a few weeks ago and approached like a kid meeting his Dad's new girlfriend - ready to stab its eyes out with the closest bit of furniture.
In the end it wasnt too bad. The decor has gone pouncy pouncy Clapham - I mean seriously what are all those animals skulls on the walls all about? Considering most people in this area go on about free trade every thirty seconds and think having a chicken burger makes you a homicidal fascist, Im not sure its the most appropriate choice.
Still, the ink rooms has preserved some - if regrettably not all - of the wide choice offered by the mircobar and the staff have the excited friendly approach that hangs around a new venture.
How long that will last is a question mark though, as the place has been dead at prime times during my couple of ganders ... the location is a bit of a no mans land set close to a couple of chavy council blocks that probably arent prepared to trade in their subscription to Burberry monthly for the ink rooms �4 organic ciders.
Still not a terrible place and worth a look if youre in the area.
anonymous - 20 Jul 2009 15:52 |
The link to the new Ink Rooms is tenuous to say the least. The microbar was an institution in itself and will be missed. Dont let them fool you that the aim is the same. Just think how much money they need to make in order to pay for the slightly deranged refurb!
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The Microbar is, as others have noted, now called the Ink Rooms, and none of the reviews any time after mid-April 2009 apply.
Met a number of friends there on the opening night of the new bar - we hadn't realised it was the opening night, or that the bar had changed so much. It's now a dimly lit "bar" - not quite a club (destpite the loud music), and not quite a pub. It has a faintly low-budget feel to it, I'm afraid. The beer selection is much, much reduced, but with the loud music and low light, it's not somewhere you'd go to savour an unusual / interesting beer anymore. You can (as we did) seek refuge downstairs, where it was quiet, but some of us were apparently warned that it was going to be a "disco" in the downstairs area. Nightmare.
Anyway, it gets points for still having a few beers. Those will probably dry up - I can't see the new clientele drinking them.
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Devastated that the good ol local has be replaced by a tacky bar that simply is out of place in the area.. Warm ambience has left with the vast beer selection and been replace by a generic atmosphere
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As previous reviewer bogr.... the Microbar is closed. The new bar is called Ink Rooms. As it only opened on Friday 5th June not sure how they could honestly comment without a visit.
Saying that the use of the word 'rebranding' covers a lot which is not appropriate to review under its old name.
The Microbar [a local bar for local people - of all ages] will be sadly missed- it was unique- unfortunately in today's climate it was unable to be profitable- as such it has gone the way of the homogenising progress of provincial takes on gay Shoreditch..
In agreement - RIP
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CLOSED - RIP - Apprently rebranding as a Shoreditch style cocktail bar
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This bar has been closed for 'refurbishment' until sometime mid to late May 09.
There will be a smaller selection of beers and 'cosmetic' adjustments which means we shall be awaiting the revamp with interest and comment.
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Stumbled upon this place on Saturday whilst trying to find somewhere peaceful to have a beer with some friends we haven't seen for a while. What a gem! Very friendly staff and an excellent selection of beers. Staff were very knowledgeable as well - when my first choice was not available they immediately offered something similar instead. The garden is lovely too and as we were enjoying the first sunny day in a while it was a real bonus. Will definitely be back.
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Aug 2007 update
Beer still excellent- food is pretty much not happening except for a (not always available according to a disappointed other person who turned up and had to go elsewhere) Sunday - American style brunch.
So eat before you go there so you can drink more beer!
Has become very busy esp. garden; so maybe less 'chilled out' than it used to be.
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laid back bar with good selection of continental beers, bit out of the way but worth dropping into if your in the area
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Updated review from Aug 2005- so check that out first as I am lazy.
Facade- the same. Interior - tweaked so somewhat less gloomy. Seating downstairs and a big garden now available for you fresh air freaks.
Bottled beer menu still extensive.
Now has its own small food menu; tapas style: very good but this remains undiscovered by customers?? Brand new spanking garden behind it; keep fit by going up stairs to bar -not sure about disabled access. Opening hours on the weekend include lunchtime for those 'hair of the dog' types.
Dynamic shifted -seem to be alot of living together couples sometimes in packs! Less 'creatives' more youngish city professionals as reflecting the continual house price rises in the area affecting who are locals plus quality beer means quality prices.
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Great venue. Massive selection of ales. Friendly staff and atmosphere. Completely free of the rubgy shirted goons you get in some of the other bars in this area.
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Went for the first time last night and was very impressed with the friendly staff who patiently waited for me to pick my chin off the floor and collect myself as I tried to take in the HUGE number of beers. There is something for everyone here and with that variety and friendly welcome I will definitely return. The clientelle were friendly too, obviously very happy to drink in such a well-run establishment.
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Incredible international beer selection. Good communicative and knowledgeable staff. Worth paying the extra for. Other pubs could learn lessons.
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I went to this pub for the first time 2 weeks ago and loved it. The staff were friendly, helpful and the atmosphere was generally very relaxed and chilled. The range of beers were excellent. I will definitely be going here more often!
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good bar - good beer.
anonymous - 24 Jul 2006 15:35 |
Though I'm not a fan of the interior, this place has got one of the best range's of bottled beers [from the UK, Europe and further a field] in London.
I quite like it
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soul destroyer paradise.
anonymous - 28 Mar 2006 13:53 |
Ah the Euro Ploughman's has arrived. Salami and cheese with beer - my personal heaven
anonymous - 17 Feb 2006 17:19 |
beer. what else do you need.
anonymous - 7 Dec 2005 18:56 |
The facade is non-assuming, the interior almost gloomy (good for drunk creative types indulging hangovers), you'd hardly know it's there and that's how us locals want it to remain. Stick to your bright, Stella and alcohol pop dj bars and never come to the Microbar. You see the reason I go there is to avoid you lot- I can read or chat to the staff, be safe if I am alone and avoid the naff. The beer menu is globally extensive and quite expensive and you can order in pizza from just up the road. An unhealthy place with somewhat odd opening hours; it gets under your skin with its weird synergy and very occasionally some interesting eye-candy appears. Oh yeah, and Alex is a laugh. So ignore these comments, let your mind go misty and forget, forget you've read this.
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You get what you pay for and after 2 wheat beers I feel like I've sunk 4 Stellas. The guy who runs the place is really friendly and I know for a fact he is married (to a woman) :)
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Very pricey if you are just out for a refreshing pint.
Steve - 30 Sep 2004 18:08 |
It's a very nice little bar and the staff are lovely. Every time i have been in there one of them has suggested a selection of beers to me based on my personal tastes and so far they have all been great. If it wasn't for the outrageous prices i would have given it top marks but unfortunately i can only afford to drink in there a couple of times a year!
Oh, and it's definitely not a gay bar although the guy who runs it is quite camp.
Si Barber - 30 Sep 2004 17:37 |
Top quality beers for people interested in beer. Not a gay bar, as previously commented though!
michael - 28 Sep 2004 11:34 |
Good little bar, some spectacular beers. A friend of mine seemed to think it might be a gay bar though?
Richard - 28 Sep 2004 10:53 |
A brave and interesting venture, focusing mainly on hand-picked, top quality foreign beers seldom found in this country. Smart decor, relaxed atmosphere, run by a knowledgeable and clearly enthusiastic bar staff. Full marks for a welcome change!
Edward - 28 Aug 2004 18:00 |
My absolute favourite place to drink. I know the beer can seem a little pricey BUT its top beer and often hard to get elsewhere.
Also a great team of people behind the bar as well as a nice crowd of fellow drinks
Najeeb Mirza - 2 Jun 2004 14:42 |
exclusive draught beers and great bottled beers from all over the world.cool salsa jazzy type music and nice people both behind and outside the bar.
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Beer is of astonishing quality, surprisingly helpful bar staff, excellent music.
If it weren't so expensive I would go there every night.
ross - 27 Nov 2003 13:25 |
Fantastic selection of unusual beers, and friendly with it. Just try the Lambic beers for something different !
mike - 9 Oct 2003 14:38 |
Beer may be a little pricey - but like a good glass of wine it worth paying a little extra for a good beer. A little like an urban family
sarah - 22 Sep 2003 16:22 |
Yes, felt pleasantly sophisticated here but at nearly eleven quid for 3 beers also felt the need to move on fairly quickly. Great place to start your evening.
Carpet on walls possibly stapled by a child.
Bar staff lovely. Free beer tasting to help us decide what to drink (don't recommend the one that tastes like custard creams).
Laura - 3 Sep 2003 19:56 |
A friendly Bar offering a wide range of micro-brewed beers (hence the name) from Belgium, Germany and the US (among many others). The choice ranges from Westvlerten, a Trappist beer that is almost impossible to find even in Belgium to fantastically flavoursome beers Goose Island IPA from Chicago and Paulaner from Germany are two of my favourites.
If these sound a bit too much out of the ordinary there are Lagers from Brooklyn and Germany that will demonstarte just how poor the stuff the major brewers force on us is.
Wooden floors and coconut matting walls give the place a modern yet comfortable feel.
Peter Russell - 13 Jun 2003 17:01 |
