Cafe Kick

The best mojitos this side of Rio

21 Aug 07, 14:53 Above expectations

Cafe Kick delivers up some of the best cocktails you will taste. They ain't bargain prices (£6.50 a drink) and they don't come quick, but when your mint is lovingly bruised rather than battered each sip is something special.

Cafe Kick (and it's bigger sibling Bar Kick in Shoreditch) is a Brazilian bar. They serve excellent drinks (including mojitos, caipirinhas and daquiris, as well as beers), a nibble or two of tapas-style food, and table football. There's a laid-back vibe to it and it seems very appropriate on a hot day. Or perhaps on a horrible, cold and windy day when you need something to remind you that sunnier parts of the world do exist.

Small, shabby but with a certain charm

24 May 07, 21:23 As expected

This self-styled table football bar always seems to be very popular - especially amongst the slightly nerdy accountants of the area who try desperately to regain their cool by playing foosball with a bottle of Cobra and a loose tie.

The wooden interior, school hall plastic chairs and tattered flags are meant to be reminiscent of Brazilian football bars but come off more shabby and dingy. That's not to say Cafe Kick is a bad bar - it does have a certain charm and everyone seems to have a good time which is more than you can say about the local Wetherspoons.

The drinks are quite expensive, especially the cocktails and the bottles, but there is a fairly large selection of alcohol on offer. The bar staff are always friendly and hospitable too. The bar is pretty small however and can get completely crammed, especially at weekends. If you are willing to make the journey to Shoreditch, the Cafe Kick there is quite a bit larger and is generally more comfortable.

Atmospheric European bar

22 May 07, 21:40 Above expectations

Cafe Kick is located bang in the centre of Exmouth market, a semi-pedestrianised street of bars and restaurants that lies somewhere between Angel and Holborn. Cafe Kick, like the rest of the street, has a European feel. The walls are covered with memoribilia, the bar is crammed with a million different bottles and the foosball tables add a unique touch (although at £2 a pop the prices are definitely more London than European). The cocktails are great. A really fun bar to spend the evening in. And if you're even vaguely sa competitive as me you'll be glued to the foosball table all night.

Cafe Kick

11 May 07, 21:41 As expected

Good enough little place with a few table football games. I found the cork balls annoying as they are light and bouncy. I can only think it's for safety, but pool balls are allowed in pubs? It gets very busy and so not that relaxing to stand and not be involved at least as a spectator round a table, there are no out of the way corners. Bottled beer only so only really worth it if you want to get in early and get a good stop for a few games of foosball with friends.