Fifty Five Bar & Lounge

sweetcharidee

Great night out 10th July 2009

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I had a great night out here recently for a friend's birthday. Fifty Five excels in what it does: cocktails, music and atmosphere.

It's all about the fun and we had our fill of it! The staff are friendly and welcoming and genuinely want you to have a good time. I would highly recommend this bar to anyone wanting a great night out.

AlexWoods

Not at all bad! 29th May 2009

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I don't really like cocktails. I hate cocktail bars. But I do like Fifty Five. A cocktail bar that is not enveloped in it's own colon is a rare thing, and I don't think that 55 even care whether they have a colon or not, it's just so laid back.

I do have a list of gripes;

- service is not always that great. They obviously have a great time working there, and there are some bar staff with real flare but at times it can be noticed that they're not... as eager to please as you would like.

It does take quite a while to get yourself a drink, but really if you don't appreciate that your cocktail is being carefully, nay, lovingly prepared in front of you and that it will take longer than squeezing a beer out of a tap then frankly you've come to the wrong place.

- it's not always the cleanest bar in the world. There are a lot of drinks, juices and fruity adjournments flying about the place which is a lot of fun, but I do hesitate from leaning against the bar just in case I can't get myself off again.

- you get a lot of very "trendy" people... the kind of "trendy" who after a few too many cocktails become utter tools. But I guess that goes for most of the bars in London. Such is life!

- reserving tables. I don't like reserving tables. Restaurants, yes. Bars, no. My own personally pet peeve? Bygones.

This list is short when compared with 55s merits. Great music, really buzzy atmosphere, great cocktails (I don't even like cocktails, but they're great! Highly recommended come the Hendricks Collins, whisky sour, and mojitos) and 2 gloriously happy 2 for 1 hours every evening. Plus 2 for 1 on mojitos all night every Monday. And I think 2 for 1 all Sunday to boot.

So, basically, it's cheap, boozy and little bit flawed around the edges. I can't imagine why I don't drink here more often!

benantiben

7th May 2009

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Oh god the nights that have started with classy two for one cocktails and ended messily singing/yelling along to Bon Jovi on the Fifty Five stereo... I do love this bar, and not just (though mostly) for the 2-1 two hour happy times! Free poured cocktails and an extensive drinks list make it a great place for a different night out. One grip would be not a single beer on tap, but if you're at a cocktail bar, why drink beer?

Stevo77

My new favourite place 14th April 2009

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Finally a cocktail bar that isn't pretentious and plays great tunes! After hearing a bit about this bar i thought i'd stop in and see it for myself.

Firstly, I loved the relaxed atmosphere inside, especially because The Killers 'Indie Rock & Roll' was playing as i stepped in. Its hard to find good music and good drinks in the same place but as i looked at the menu i noticed lots of my personal favs ( Jerry Thomas Manhattan, Amaretto Sours, Sazerac). I thought the menu itself was brilliant, possibly the biggest selection of drinks of any bar i've been to in London so far. Being a bartender i like being asked by the customer to suit their desire, so i thought i'd do exactly that. I asked the bartender for something with rum that was sweet and different, and in result i received a 'Cuban Oranges', which in turn, i was very satisfied with. The staff were very friendly and all had a smile on their face which is always good to see. I do like going to other bars around London such as Be at one or Lab, but i loved the vibe of this place and thought i'd stay for one more. This time went for the Sazerac and again it was made to perfection. I unfortunately came to learn that i should of arrived earlier, as their happy hour is from 6pm until 8pm in which there are '2 for 1' on all cocktails, so i will definately have to go back soon with a few mates to take advantage on this.

Overall, i thought Fifty Five was a great place and easily the new favourite for me. Will definately be going back again soon.

Angella

11th April 2009

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After reading the rave reviews and watching the great video and checking the menu on the bar's website I've adding them to my 'must go - soon' wish list.
Admittedly my first thought was - drinks but no food - where do you go before or after? And who's driving - what do they drink? And what can you get to add energy and calories - or vitamins and health to sober up.
First the bad news - no sign of any food, not even packets of nuts, except ice cream. And no sign of the standard sweet-toothed English favourite, mateus rose, nor liebraumilch nor the American favourite zinfandel. Only one rose by the glass at £5 is dear - though if you can drink here in happy hour and then go onto somewhere else to eat that's still great value.
Reading on, for drivers, non-drinkers, and girls on a date with a strange man, I find fruit juice at £1.50, milkshakes at £2.70, Up With The Sun with fresh banana at £2.70. That's a good deal.
Kir royale is £6.50 and strangely for a place with so many bottles not the classic kir with aligote and cassis (I have been round the factory in the French town where this cocktail was invented), nor the classic kir royale with champagne and cassis and but made with Mumm champagne and Chambord raspberry liqueur.
The reassuring things is that the menu tells you exactly what you are getting if you like it and want to replicate it at home or on a return visit. If you don't like it you know what to change and can try another variation with a different fruit.
Their peach and mango bellinis have puree as well as liqueur which has to be good.
Finally, I'm a chocoholic, a nutty chocoholic (!), and the ice cream section contains German chocolate, made with ingredients including chocolate syrup and chopped pecans. All the things I should not eat or drink.

bananarama

sweet music, sour drinks 11th April 2009

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I just want to have a drink! I don't have time to filter through the menu of a bazillion drinks....

Being a bartender myself I always find it better to ask the bartender for his best, than assume what I might get in a menu. I asked the bartender who looked about 16 years old to make me a SOUR cocktail, nothing sweet, as I hate sweet. He looked cute making it, as if he knew what he was doing... Walked back to my table, I took one sip and it tasted like liquid sugar!!
I liked the rock, dive bar atmosphere, but was I too scared to order another over priced cocktail!!

SwiSSly

Best bar 2nd February 2009

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To be honest, i don't know if they do food. But they sure do drinks.

Without a doubt, one of the best bars i've ever been to. Super atmosphere wioth super friendly staff. The flare is an added bonus too.

I always take any visitors i have here. Its an impressive venue.

My favourite bar in camden! Keep the good work up!

ciara86

Oh what a night!!!! 13th November 2008

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I went to Fifty Five for my birthday last Saturday, i reserved an area for free and was given the sexy space at the back of the bar, which was wicked and felt quite private. The drinks were brilliantly priced considering you got them served to you by genuinely friendly staff who have the time to have a bit of banter with you and make you feel welcome. The music rocked my world, they had a genius play list consisting of every thing to rock, indie, mo town and even a bit of cheese! i would highly recommend this place to any one looking for a sophisticated but laid back party bar!

127645

Awesome 12th November 2008

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I have been to Fifty Five a handful of times and I can confidently say it's quickly becoming my regular watering hole! The cocktail menu is huge and the cocktails are amazing definitely some of the best I have tried. Happy Hour is an obvious winner but it does get busy during those times. The music policy makes it for me, killer tune after tune, no cheesy R n'B, or your standard bar issue vocal house stuff. Although the staff are obviously busy they make the night; they are always friendly and tend to start the party from my experience.

Fifty Five is highly recommended I would check it out if you're in Camden, but I would book a table, it's free.

Spam

31st October 2008

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I love Fifty Five - it's my happy place in London! I'm not sure what happened to Mikachu but I've always had the best time there. Whether it's for a few after work drinks (although even that has a habit of turning into a party!) or for a proper night out at the weekend, you're always guaranteed a good time.

The bar staff are friendly, welcoming, and know everything there is to know about cocktails, the cocktails are very reasonably priced and the music rocks. Tip for the uninitiated, reserve a seat at the weekend, or get there before Happy Hour kicks in and enjoy the ride!