Having lived in Tooting for a while now, I've come to love the restaurant scene. But when it comes to chic cocktail bars, there are a limited number to choose from, and I often find myself venturing further afield for drinks. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about Good Measure, a new basement bar that had recently opened on Mitcham Road, under Taiwanese restaurant Daddy Bao. Setting off on a Friday night, I was eager to discover a potential new local favourite.
This hidden, intimate bar below Daddy Bao is perfect for date night.
DesignMyNight Reviews Good Measure At Daddy Bao
You'd never know this place was here just by walking past, as the entrance to Daddy Bao only has a tiny sign for Good Measure downstairs, adding to the secrecy of the place. We were whisked through the restaurant to a hidden staircase on arrival, which was illuminated by a huge neon sign that spanned the entire ceiling. At the bottom, we turned into the tiny, intimate bar.
It was clear that the secret had got out about this place, as the basement space was almost completely full. But thanks to the size, it still retained its exclusive feel, with just one large table in the centre of the room. The bar has been installed in the middle of their storage space, featuring huge fridges that have menus written on them and shelves full of dry foods and sauces.
You'll find Asian-inspired snacks and creative cocktails on the Good Measure menu.
We were given a space right next to the bar, allowing us to watch as the expert mixologists prepared everyone's drinks. And while we were sat close by to all the other guests, the music was at just the right level for us to be able to hear our own conversation without eavesdropping on anyone else's.
They change the cocktail list up on a regular basis, and there were plenty of exciting options to choose from on this evening. I started off with a Lychee Tini (£11.50), which combined gin with lychee liqueur and sake. The clear blend had a light, refreshing flavour, though it was definitely one of the stronger-tasting concoctions on the menu. My partner chose a Red Fortune (£11.50), made up of smoky mezcal, yuzu sake, hibiscus and grapefruit.
Next was my favourite drink of the night: the Cream of Matcha (£12). The jury's still out for me on whether or not I like matcha in general, but this was absolutely delicious - a clarified blend of gin, sake, lemon, Greek yoghurt and, of course, matcha. It was both sweet and zesty, with a squeeze of matcha-infused cream on top. My date opted for the Miso Mmmmm (£11), a tangy combination of agave, miso and prosecco with a pale pink colour to it.
Sultry sips down a neon staircase: Good Measure has it all.
With this round, we decided to try some of the bar snacks that were on offer. We nibbled at a bowl of chilli-dusted popcorn (£3) while we waited on our other plates, that were swiftly delivered from the kitchen upstairs. The first of these was a bowl of Szechuan cucumber (£3.50), both refreshing and spicy thanks to the chilli sauce. We also ordered some fried chicken (£6.50) in a crispy coating, served alongside a tasty pot of smoky miso mayo.
Lastly, I opted for a classic margarita (£11), which wasn't on the menu but the helpful bartender said they were able to make. This came with the option of a salt or sugar rim, and was mixed to perfection. My boyfriend ended on a mocktail, the Taipei Sours (£8), featuring a fruity combination of the non-alcoholic Gaba, lemon, guava, plum and cinnamon.
Overall: Good Measure Tooting
Tucked away on Mitcham Road, Good Measure brings a vibrant new energy to the area that I absolutely loved. It had the feel of a sleek central London cocktail bar without the hefty price tag, or the commute. The vibe in there is intimate but still lively, with talented mixologists behind the bar who are more than happy to recommend drinks for you. For Asian-inspired snacks and cool cocktails in the area, you really can't beat it, and I'll definitely be returning.
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