Darbucka

  1. Oh dear. Avoid at all costs.
  2. Below expectations.
  3. OK. Met expectations.
  4. I really enjoyed this.
  5. Amazing. Would unreservedly recommend.
  6. rating

182-184 St John St, London, EC1V 4JZ

Darbucka World Music Bar is a popular restaurant and bar serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in a unique Bedouin tent-like interior. There is live world music and dancers on Friday nights and other events throughout the week. Choose from the carefully selected and freshly prepared Syrian meze menu, a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including cocktails and smoothies, and of course shisha pipes.
Nearest Transport
Farringdon (Underground)

Reviews for Darbucka

Place looks great, lots of events take place in the downstairs area (might be too noisy for a cosy romantic dinner). Food is below average, although servings are big and service is poor. Price is extortion for the quality. I'm still looking for a decent couscous in London.

I've had a work Christmas party and several lunches here and I would recommend it.

The good: upstairs is the main eating area, where you'll be very well served and made to feel at home. Downstairs is decorated with Arabic cushions, throws and cozy colourful areas accompanied by delightful music. The Arabic decor is very cozy and the Middle Eastern food is extremely tasty. Later at night you can take the offer of live entertainment whilst relaxing in your zone.

The bad: it’s pricey. There aren’t a huge number of choices on the menu. It's taken a while to receive each course in the past.

Like a Middle Eastern haven I like the decor here. Sensuous, exotic, relaxed, cosy even. Sitting on the floor enjoying a drink with some friends it's a good place to get together with a crowd. Varied, world music attracts a variety of people. There is a restaurant upstairs although I've never tried the food here. Downstairs is the more relaxed, bar/club area. Enjoy and alcoholic drink or a a mint tea. It gets lively at night with dancing although the men-woman ratio can get very uneven. Like Mez said, not a place for females to go alone, unless you like being hit on al night.

I wanted to discover something new so conducted a quick search on TrustedPlaces and found Darbucka. I organised a night out there yesterday with a few friends of mine. The restaurant was relatively empty but the food was good. Nothing amazing but of decent quality - although the set Mediterranean menu choice was limited (would have been nice to have an a la carte option). The bar/club downstairs was cool. Set in a North-African/Middle Eastern decor with bright warm colours. The music was a mixture of Algerian, Middle-Eastern, and R&B remixes – great to dance to if you like that kind of music (commercial pop but fun nonetheless). The place got busier as the night progressed and the proportion of men grew larger. I had a really great time because I had a really good group of friends that I could dance with, but I wouldn't go there with only my female friends.
They also have live music events apparently. For more info, visit their site: http://www.darbucka.com

Lively place to enjoy an evening of music, food, people having fun, and shisha. Set in an Arabesque interior which takes you far away from London's streets above.

walid at 10/09/06
Looks cool. This place looks quite similar to "Po Na Na Souk Bar" check it out both NikoTheFinn and dzenitaba reviewed it.

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Special offers
Free glass of wine
...Order a Traditional Lebanese Mezze for two and receive a complimentary glass of house wine. Traditional Mezze for Two (£24 per couple). Vegetarian: Homus, Falfel, Taboleh, Spicy Potatos, Labnah, Hallomi Cheese, Spinach pasteries. Meat: Homus, Falafel, Taboleh, Spicy potaots, labne, Chicken wings, mince lamb pasteries. Includes Vat, excludes service.
Available
Monday to Friday
12:00pm to 3:00pm, 6:00pm to 10:00pm
Min people: 2
Max people: 8
Starts: 20/05/09
Ends: 08/09/09
AVAILABLE WHEN BOOKING ONLINE
50% off
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