I'd heard a lot about The Vineyard, a newly refurbished hotspot on trendy Upper Street in Angel, so with it being a Friday and the weather looking good you can imagine my anticipation as I counted down the hours. I gathered beforehand that cocktails, tapas and all round good times were on offer, so I was keen to try it out.
The Venue
On approaching The Vineyard I was greeted by the delightful front gate which opened into a quaint garden that was already awash with customers. Inside, the building has been given a retro facelift to what I'd call a particularly nineties style. Cow-hide rugs line the walls while there are white chandeliers hanging from the beautiful arched ceiling that has become The Vineyard's hallmark.
What an incredible welcome you get at The Vineyard in Angel.
The Ambience and Clientele
Clearly a Friday night fun spot for after work drinkers, The Vineyard attracts an eclectic mix of those who probably won't make it home and those just coming out, with it getting increasingly more lively with every new wave of revelers. The live DJ may have had something to do with this, banging out hit after 90's hit to start with, before pulling out some modern floor fillers to keep the crowd happy.
The Vineyard's retro chic look is fun and comfortable, with booths perfect for parties.
The Food and Drinks
We were treated to a bottle of house bubbly on arrival which was sweet and refreshing, whilst others around us were slowly working their way through The Vineyard's extensive cocktail list. This was evident by the array of glasses being cleared from surrounding tables. There's a wide (and reasonable) selection of premium lagers available too which I was happy to partake in on my way back through to the garden.
As we walked through to our table I enjoyed a sneaky glance at what everybody else was having; with it being early evening a Mediterranean style Meze of cold cuts, olives and dips seemed the popular choice, so I had my heart set on that before I'd even sat down. Served on a chopping board almost the size of our table, we were treated to a sharing platter that included Parma ham, salami, hummus, olives and much more. The real gem had to be the battered courgettes and cream dip though!
North London's summer Oasis, revelers soak up some rays in The Vineyard's garden.
Summary
My preconceptions of The Vineyard were far excelled by the friendly atmosphere and convivial bar staff. It's a fantastic spot for pre-party drinks and food, chances are you'll be hooked into staying all night though! With so much fun and affordability The Vineyard's definitely a must-visit venue if you find yourself strolling through this buzzing quarter of London.
