Adventure Bar

The cocktails here are extremely yummy but whilst I was busy knocking them back on Saturday night, I didn’t think that they were particularly alcoholic. However, my stomach on Sunday morning said otherwise. Of course, that could have been all the tequila shots, but I reckon the cocktails had something to do with it. Oops.
Back in the day, when my friends and I all lived in Wimbledon, a bar called Suburban opened and we loved it; indie cheese pumping out the soundsystem, friendly bar staff who’d toss a few bottles around, have a shot with you and occasionally get up and dance on the bar. Yeah, not unlike Coyote Ugly, but you know, realistic. Then Suburban got a bit chavvy and we all moved away anyway, so I didn’t go back any more.
Adventure Bar may have taken the crown. It’s fun and busy, does fun cocktails and plays fun music. Generally fun. The bar staff’ll have a dance with the clientele, take music requests, knock back a cheeky shot, let you shake your own cocktail and flirt outrageously. That’s what you want on a Saturday night! I was taking advantage of the Unilocal Drinks 2012 promotion which offered 50% off three different cocktails all night, so drinks were less than a fiver, but I wouldn’t want to pay full price; they’re good, but not that good. Since when did London cocktails go from the slightly-​resentful £6.50 up to a teeth-​clenching no-​significant-​change-​from-​a-​tenner? Not overly impressed! It’s a shame because I thoroughly enjoy the interaction of a cocktail but if I go back I’ll only be able to afford the cheapest beer.
One major gripe was that they’d turned off the air-​con and we were all sweating like Gary Glitter at a funfair. It wasn’t even broken — just dripping — and it did slightly spoil the evening. I felt like I was going to pass out at several points (and this was pre-​tequila).
It’s a nice easy jaunt from the station and there are plenty of buses nearby too. I mean I think I went home by bus. I can’t exactly remember right now. I didn’t take a taxi, did I? Oh god please tell me I didn’t take a taxi…
Yeah, ok. The cocktails are pretty strong.

Now I’ve been to 3 of the 4 Adventure locations. This one is bigger than Battersea, quieter (not less busy, but lower in decibels) than Covent Garden, and still is pretty great. I was here for my boyfriend’s birthday. Even though I was unwell and sipping on Cokes instead of their trademark cocktails, the bartenders made me smile.
Love that for birthday parties, fun party hats and party poppers are included in the free reservation. They’re always good for a laugh. Adventure wins again!

Comfortable seating, very friendly flair bartenders, tasty but a bit overpriced drinks
It was my friend’s birthday, so we went out for a nice meal (India Room in Balham — very tasty but lacking a bit in the spiciness department) and then decided on a drink before heading home. We chose this place mainly due to random chance mainly in the hope of a jaegerbomb or two. We were quickly distracted by the cocktail menu and switched to those instead. At £7−9 per cocktail, it’s a bit pricey for a casual Balham bar but we went for it anyways.
The mojitos are good but nothing to write home about, the pornstars fruity and easy to handle, the entertainingly named Monkey Midget Briefcase may not be PC but was delicious and refreshing and the flaming zombie kept burning well into the night and knocked me out in fairly quick order.
The bartenders were absolutely hilarious, bringing the birthday girl a free shooter, and letting us belt out tunes in an impromptu desire for karaōke. They also are a fair hand at juggling glasses filled with ice and bottles filled with booze which makes for an enjoyable weight while they made a variety of drinks.
Overall, I like this place for a semi-​wild weekday night, but if it was properly crowded on a weekend I think the bar and general area is too small for much shennanigans. Plus, you can get a better value drink elsewhere, hence only 3 stars.

A no-​nonsense bar inspired by the likes of TGI Friday’s and pertaining more than a passing resemblance to the B@One cocktail bars that pepper the London scene. Loud, raucous and fun fun fun, Adventure serves decent cocktails at decent-​ish prices.
The staff are the centre of attention, downing jagermeister bought by punters and carefully selecting the playlist for the evening. Expect more than a smattering of 80’s rock anthems as the soundtrack to your night. Adventure is a small bar, so getting up close and personal with the rest of the clientele is an inevitability. But, for this middle class 20 something crowd, that doesn’t seem to be a problem one bit.

i was in Adventure again for a friends birthday and as always the place was pulsing with energy. The punters were dancing, singing, and the vibe was so intense you couldn’t help but get caught up in the atmosphere.
Another addition to the team is Nic Gonzalez. He is an old skool TGI Friday bartender who knows how to entertain and keep his customers happy. The atmosphere will only get better with him there. Matt the manager, is still stoking up the crowds who lap up the attention.
Adventure Balham! You always seem to rock.