Joelle's reviews
Review of North Bar
07 Dec 07, 11:21
Actually my all time favourite bar, anywhere, ever 
North Bar, North Bar, how do I count the reasons why I love you?
1. It's the place that educated me, and much of Leeds, to learn about the world beyond bland lager. They stock all sorts of interesting beers sourced from small breweries in Belgium, Germany, the US and elsewhere and are always able to recommend things.
2. On one of my last visits, a Morris dance troupe came in for a drink, each with their own special tankard that they had filled up with ale. Truly a mixed crowd in here from young arty types to hearty ale drinkers.
3. It's one of the few bars as opposed to pubs that wins CAMRA awards, with regularly changing and well kept guest ales from independent breweries always available.
4. The staff are dead friendly.
5. The annual joy of the Christmas beer Gluhkriek - spiced cherry beer served warm!
6. Non-beer drinkers will also find that the bar knows its spirits too - all the booze is well chosen.
7. Meat, bread and cheese on the side, like in Holland.
8. It deservedly won the Observer Food Monthly annual award for best place to drink in the whole country last year.
9. Charming paraphernalia is dotted around the bar, especially if you like Belgian cycling souvenirs and hit and miss art exhibitions.
10. It's relaxed, unpretentious, cosy and cool. Are rare combination.
Really, aside from seeing my parents, this is the main attraction for me in heading back to my home county of Yorkshire, and it makes me feel homesick. It's frequently the first place my husband and I head to as soon as we're off the train. I heartily recommend it to anyone who prefers their boozers not to be bland or pretentious.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Vibe Bar
10 Oct 07, 17:00
Not my vibe 
I've always found this place a bit loud, crowded and unpleasant to be honest.
It's not a bad place for a drink with friends, but if the weather isn't courtyard friendly it can get a bit too rammed in a way that makes me feel old and grumpy rather than young and up for a party. Plenty of more charming drinking holes around here if you know where to look.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Review of Hookah Lounge
10 Oct 07, 16:54
Laid back drinking of fancy teas 
I spent yesterday evening rediscovering a part of London I thought I'd grown bored of and trying places I'd not been. Like this hookah lounge which I ventured into now that the smoking ban has banished the hookahs to the pavement outside.
And what a pleasant surprise. Lovely laid back place with a long menu of wonderful unusual teas - Middle Eastern and Oriental. Good cocktail menu and the mezze looked really nice.
Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, low seats with cushions and lots of wood. A very good place to while away the evening and a nice healthy alternative to the usual pubs.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.