If you’re looking for a high-class, impeccably appointed, luxurious cocktail bar serving molecule-perfect drinks made by world-renowned mixologists…
…then Ridley Road Market Bar is going to massively disappoint you.
And that’s the good news. Because to put it plainly, it’s just too fun for any of that. It’s a 70s tiki dive bar that’s totally comfortable in its own skin, with a buzzing atmosphere, cheap drinks, live music, and a relentless sense of energy coursing through its veins. You’ll find it (surprise!) in the middle of Dalston’s Ridley Road Market, inside a converted gambling shop. The decor is the textbook definition of cheap & cheerful, with wooden benches, plastic plants, and a little disco ball to glam it all up.
The cocktails start at a £7 for a frozen marg or Pina colada, while the ‘fancy’ cocktails come in at a whopping £8 – try the ginger mojito, it’s their house speciality. Beer is even cheaper at a fiver for a can, and if you’re feeling like really pushing the boat out then the most expensive thing on the menu is a bottle of prosecco for £29.
Ridley Road Market Bar takes the music a little more seriously than one might imagine, with regular DJs, live acts, and themed musical celebrations – in fact, there’s a monthly evening dedicated to “The Golden Age of Jamaican Music” (the ’60s & ’70s, FYI).
You might want to book if you’re a bigger group, but they’ll always find space for you. So just pop in…
…if you’re in the Market for a good time.
NOTE: Ridley Road Market Bar is open late Tues-Sat. You can find out more, and check out their programme of events at the website right HERE.
Ridley Road Market Bar | 49 Ridley Road, Dalston, E8 2NP
If you’re looking for a spot to eat beforehand…take a look at our list of the best restaurants in Dalston