Reviews
Fifty Five Bar and Lounge proves that a good cocktail bar doesn’t have to be pretentious and overpriced to deliver quality mixology. Just be prepared for the huge selection.
The Venue
A short walk from Camden Town station, just off the main high street on Jamestown Road, Fifty Five Bar and Lounge is really easy to find. Once inside, you'll be taken aback by the relaxed feel of the place. If it's winter, the burgundy walls offer a cosiness often missing in cocktail bars and in the summer the large glass windows flood the place in light, so you don't feel cooped up. The laid-back ambience is further emphasised by the black leather sofas and seating with low tables. There's funky artwork, mirrors on the walls and pretty chandelier-style lampshades.
The bar is set across two main levels with a third floor in the basement. Be warned though, ladies – if you're in massive heels the stairs can be quite steep and it's a balancing act to get up and down them, especially if you've knocked back a few cocktails.
The Atmosphere
Unlike other 'hip' bars in the surrounding area, it really doesn't matter what you're wearing at Fifty Five Bar and Lounge. It's really relaxed here and appeals to everyone from twentysomething Camden caners to smartly-dressed after workers. The staff are friendly and extremely well trained - they look as if they're enjoying the night as much as the punters who've come in for a drink.
The music policy here fits in with the modern Camden scene and sways away from ubiquitous cheesy commercial music - you're more likely to hear The Friendly Fires as opposed to Britney. There's no live DJ but the bar has a long play list with hundreds of electro, indie and rock tunes expertly chosen by the bar staff to heighten the party atmosphere - here, the bar staff are the DJs.
The Drink
You'll be amazed by the sheer volume of cocktails on offer at Fifty Five Bar and Lounge. There are around 180 cocktails on a menu that’s changed annually. All of the drinks are reasonably priced, too. You can expect to pay £5-£7 for cocktails and the bar has great 2-4-1 deals Monday to Saturday from 6pm-8pm or all day Sunday, and 2-4-1 mojitos all night on Mondays.
If you're after a tequila-based favourite but fancy something with a twist, it's definitely worth trying Tommy's Margarita (£6.30). This San Francisco born short drink tastes strongly of alcohol although it’s not overpowering. Whereas a regular margarita contains Triple Sec, Tommy’s Margarita utilises Arette Blanco mixed with organic agave syrup and freshly squeezed lime juice, which gives the drink a sweet kick without being too sickly.
If you're after something more fruity and sweeter, it's worth trying a Raspberry Collins (Russian Standard vodka, raspberry puree, raspberry liqueur and lemon juice sweetened with sugar and topped with soda; £6.30). Whilst the lemon juice gives it a nice twist, the raspberry is the strongest flavour and it nicely muddles the generous serving of vodka. If you prefer something sharper, try the Hemingway Daiquiri (rum, fresh grapefruit juice, lime and cherry juice; £7). Although fresh grapefruit juice is an acquired taste and might be too sharp for some, it nicely complements the rum and is well balanced by the cherry juice.
If you're not a fan of cocktails then there is a wine list containing seven whites, seven reds and two roses. Prices start at around £3.70 for a glass of Italian Pinot Grigio del Veneto. There's also a selection of Champagne from £32 a bottle.
The Last Word
Great staff, delicious cocktails and a laid back atmosphere – Fifty Five Bar and Lounge delivers on all counts.
Cosmopolitan in more ways than one, Fifty-Five's glossy cocktail menu has endless variations on the classics, plus a few original creations like a pear and orange martini, for as little as a fiver - thereby educating many people for whom the definition of a mixed drink was a snakebite and black. For all that, it's a refreshingly unpretentious place. Black leather stools and couches cuddle up to candlelit tables; the walls are covered with vintage gig posters from the Bravery to the Beastie Boys; and the resident mix masters all sport smart branded shirts to match the deep red hue of the walls.
Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008/9
MC Grammar, Itchy's rad rapping English teacher, taught us that the word 'recuperative' is an anagram of 'cue pervert, ai'. Clearly, this is a sign that doing anything to try and recover from a hangover is twisted and wrong: not boozing is the pursuit of weirdos. Pure souls should keep on drinking, preferably in this bloody brilliant bar. Ok, so our linguistic logic may be more than a little skewed there, but trust us, once you've visited this place you'll want to find any lousy excuse to return too. The Fifty Five boys run pretty much the best upbeat cocktail joint we've found in this end of London, and are close to god-like in our eyes for being such decent blokes who know how to keep the good times rolling. The 160-plus drinks are expertly spun, juggled and flambéed into existence with circus-standard flair, everyone is greeted like a regular, and cocktails are 2-for-1 every day, 6pm-8pm. All your favourite tunes play in a house party atmosphere; every other track is almost guaranteed to provoke a roar of approval from the Itchy table. Every trip here is a winner. FF-ing wonderful
