Happy Hour and Hip Hop at Market House

Although it's only been open for a year, Market House on Coldharbour Lane has already established itself as one of Brixton's coolest bars and a worthy destination for foodies and cocktail lovers alike.

After being challenged by a friend to find us a fun place to eat South of the River, I stumbled upon the Market House website and was impressed by the generous happy hour lasting from 5-9pm every day. On further inspection of their facebook and twitter pages, I saw that they were running a 2 for 1 burger deal if you emailed the team. Although the deal was only on the Spicy Chicken (£8.50) and Market (Hereford Beef) Burger (£8.95), both looked tasty enough so we decided to go for it. For any tastecard holders among you, you and a friend can get 2 for 1 on any meals on the menu between Mondays and Thursday as long as you call ahead.

My Pornstar Martini

We arrived at 7 to find the bar already pretty full and in full swing, despite being a Wednesday. The setting is a restored 19th century building and the management have successfully recreated a speakeasy atmosphere, fitting the bar with chandeliers, vintage wallpaper and stripped down wooden furniture. With the (slightly too loud) music pumping and the friendly bar staff shaking up cocktails, the place had a feel-good lively atmosphere from the moment we walked in. 

We wanted to take advantage of the £5 cocktails during Happy Hour so I (awkwardly) ordered a Pornstar Martini (Vanilla Vodka with lime juice, passionfruit syrup and passionfruit juice) whilst my friend went for the Caipirinha, a rum based Brazilian drink. Both were delicious and definitely recommended. Whilst we waited for our burgers to arrive we shared the Wild Boar Sausage Rolls with apple filling (£5) which were really yummy and just the right size for an appetiser. I also enjoyed an exceptionally large glass of red wine- a bargain at £3 during Happy Hour.

A taste of Wild Boar

Our mains arrived well-presented on a thick wooden board. My Spicy Chicken came with all the usual extras but also included pineapple which gave it an added sweetness and kick. 

Spicy Chicken Burger with Coleslaw

The skin on chips were also nicely salted and tinged with rosemary. If you want a tasty meal accompanied by some fantastic cheap cocktails then I would recommend trying out Market House. The staff were lovely and smiley, seeming to genuinely enjoy working in the vibrant venue, and with the discounts applied the evening was brilliant value.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings the bar hosts themed nights with free entry all night and, even more impressively, free bubbly for groups of 10 or more. There is something to please most, with this weekend including tropical funk and reggae DJs, old skool house, garage and brit pop nights. If that sounds like your kind of thing sign up to their mailing list for the latest news and promotions.

Splashing out? Visit nearby Market Row Wines, an independent shop selling quality wines, to grab a bottle for a special occasion (or simply later that evening). Still very reasonably priced, but definitely beats the usual supermarket plonk. Open until 9pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays. Check them out here.

Movie Mondays at the Aubin Cinema

Enjoy a selection of drinks at the Basement Bar

Alternative cinemas are all the rage in London at the moment, but for ultimate experience and comfort I recommend Aubin Cinema. Situated on Redchurch Street in the heart of Shoreditch, the cinema sits below an Aubin & Wills store and boasts its own bar and 'Aubin Eats' treats. 

The cinema is perfect for couples who can cuddle up on one of the 2 seater sofas, complete with Aubin & Wills' very own cushions and blankets. The sofas are not only cosy but also absolutely huge. I have never had so much space in a cinema and after 10 minutes you wonder how you ever survived struggling to get comfortable in your local Vue/Odeon/Cineworld. At Aubin you can curl your feet up into the sofa, use the cushioned foot rest in front of you or even screw the whole sharing thing and lounge on a 2-seater all by yourself.

Sofa complete with cushions and blankets

On Tuesday-Sunday a regular ticket will set you back £13 (£15 for 3D), however on a Monday a 2 seater sofa is £18 and a single seat just £8. The film programme is exactly the same but there is over a third off the price and it still works out a fair bit cheaper than a visit to your usual run-of-the-mill cinema. Additionally, if you fancy watching something a bit different, these reduced prices are also available for 'Aubin Sundays' showings. This month you have one last opportunity to catch Les Misérables and Zero Dark Thirty, and can also explore some World Cinema with Bullhead and Lore. These showings are usually around 3pm, making it the perfect lazy afternoon trip after Sunday lunch. 

With its own personal bar, the novelty of sipping on a beer or glass of wine whilst watching your film and enough space to swing a cat in (if that’s your cup of tea), Aubin Cinema is the perfect big screen experience. If you want to enjoy a movie in ultimate style, then check out Aubin: http://www.aubincinema.com

Splashing out? Take advantage of being in Shoreditch and check out the Boxpark pop-up mall just a stone's throw away. Brands as big as Nike, Puma and Logitech can all be found there, and there are launches, exhibitions and even free gigs going on all the time. Make sure you don't miss out by keeping an eye on their calendar here: http://www.boxpark.co.uk You can also grab a pre/post cinema meal at one of the restaurants residing there, which currently includes my recently reviewed Bukowski. Check out what I thought here.

 

Meats and Treats at Venn Street Market

Tucked away down a quiet pedestrianised road seconds away from Clapham Common, Venn Street Market is a must-do for anyone who finds themselves in Clapham on a Saturday. 

Delicious cakes from the Ms Cupcake stall

Although small, the market has a wide selection of fresh meat, cheese, vegetables and baked goods, along with ready to eat food which makes the perfect lunch.

Vegan soda bread from Yam the Cassava

Nearly all the food served here is organically sourced, offering peace of mind to those freaked out by the recent horse business. Award winning fishmongers Veasey & Sons and butchers from Garlic Wood Farm make it the perfect place to pick up the evening's dinner or your Sunday roast, and the impressive number of stalls offering tasty vegan and dairy-free cakes also provide inspiration for an afternoon tea which everyone can enjoy. The market is also the perfect place to pick up presents for the parents, with stalls such as cnwd and Pate Moi offering delicious terrines and pâté and D Vine Wine selling quality organic wines at affordable prices. The market has also started to branch out to sell artwork, with local arts organisation Studio Voltaire selling goods priced from just £1 upwards.

The remains of a hog roast from Moen & Sons

The market smells fantastic, and I challenge anyone to resist buying a chicken ciabatta from the Rotisserie Company after being lured in by the aroma. The company cook their chicken the French way, turning them on a gas fired rotisserie basted with olive oil, garlic and Herbs de Provence. They really don't hold back on portions, and for £4.50 you can try one of their giant ciabbatas full to the brim with chicken, rocket and a selection of sauces such as basil and garlic and madras mayonnaise. Other lunch options include a hog roast from local family butchers Moen & Sons (£4.50), crepes filled with unconventional combinations such as goats cheese & nutella and bacon & blueberries (£4) at Whirled Pancakes, and my own personal favourite, spicy chorizo in an Italian sourdough cocchia roll with piquillo pepper salsa, wild rocket, sweet chili sauce and garlic mayonnaise (£4).

Spicy chorizo in a sourdough roll

Venn Street Market is the place to pick up delicious grub at satisfying prices. My boyfriend and I bought a giant banana and chocolate loaf for just £4 and a great desert wine to impress a connoisseur friend for a tenner. If you want to sample some incredible food or bring home an impressive cheese or dessert centrepiece then Venn Street definitely won't disappoint.

 The market is open between 10am and 4pm every Saturday. Information about upcoming events and vendors can be found here: http://www.vennstreetmarket.co.uk/

Splashing out? Enjoy a taste of Europe at one of the restaurants on Venn Street. Grab a spot of tapas at Barsito, a latte and croissant at Gastro or even smoke some hookah at Kasbah. Venn Street is definitely the place to escape from a grey London on a Saturday afternoon.