It was a spot of luck that my friend and I stumbled upon Alice House in Queen's Park, but after taking a look at this trendy restaurant bar, we decided we had to give it a try.
The Venue
As I entered, Alice House stood out from other bars in the area due to its stylish atmosphere. Despite being divided into smaller areas, the venue is deceptively large, and even with the divisions still manages to maintain an open, airy feel.
Alice House is a place where urban design meets rustic chic. Dark tones, bare brick walls and black metal girders give the place a warehouse-eqsue vibe; whilst heavy wood furniture, cosy sofas and candle light create a warm welcoming quality. Other features that catch the eye include artistic light fixtures and modern paintings, which round the bar off with a contemporary touch.
Scattered tables as well as larger communal tables make for plenty of seating space.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
On a Saturday evening the place was buzzing with trendy young Londoners revelling in the upbeat ambience. Alice House was full enough to create a good vibe, but not packed to the point where you can’t hear anyone. You are likely to spot groups of well dressed friends having Saturday night cocktails, most likely as pre-drinks before hitting a club. Also its convenient location makes this a great place for after work drinks during the week.
Being a Saturday night, the music was slowly turned up and things got a bit rowdier than on weekdays. The DJ played a great mix of music all night long; including everything from top chart hits, old school Hip Hop and RnB, with some classic rock tunes squeezed in to the delight of the crowd..
Alice House have a little area where they host regular gigs and bring DJs to play on weekends.
The Food and Drinks
The menu revealed classic British dishes, all with a modern twist. Their brunch menu also looked simply spectacular with some top pastries, muffins and cakes to start your day. With all this on offer, we vowed to come back for dinner or a boozy brunch one day.
Drinks-wise they have an impressive selection of wines and Champagnes, as well as a strong beer and cider range. My recommendation however is to hit the cocktail list. They don't have the biggest menu, but they have most of the classic cocktails, all made with Alice House's special twist. My personal favourite was the Elderflower Margarita, which was really flavourful, while my friend opted for the Nettle Daiquiri, a rather quirky choice, but a surprisingly tasty tipple.
Alice House do great dinners and brunches, but also pastries and cakes you just can't miss.
Summary
After going in on a whim, I have now found a new favourite local drinking spot. The chic décor and effortlessly upbeat atmosphere at Alice House make it the perfect place to go for a chilled evening midweek or just the thing to prepare you for a night out at the weekend.
