Nicely nestled between Clapham Junction and Clapham Common, Ink Rooms is a bar offering a quality range in both drinks and music that’ll keep you coming back. The mood is ‘red-light elegance’ in keeping with the 50’s retro-chic theme, providing a classy but cosy place from which to enjoy the 60+ beers, fine wines and hand-crafted cocktails on offer.

The music also features heavily with 80’s/90’s rock, indie and pop being played out and clearly enjoyed by the 30-something crowd who’ve come out to play the night Bedroom Genius visited. This place is definitely a must-visit.

Bedroom Genius speaks to the Ink Rooms' Manager, Matt Wale:

The Ink Rooms was inspired by American 50’s retro chic, what inspired you to re-create that in London?
We wanted to bring something new to Clapham, a good times, neighbourhood bar. It was quite samey with boozers or club scenes but nothing in between. Everything is crafted in here, the wallpaper, the beers and we have unique handcrafted cocktails.

How would you describe the Ink Rooms experience for someone coming down for the first time?

A place to relax and have fun where there’s an eclectic crowd. It’s something new and different where you can enjoy good music and table service. We don’t have a door policy but attract refined people from the 25-40 age group. We’ve only been open 8 months and find most of our clientele are coming from Brixton, Clapham South and even Shoreditch looking for a good underground music scene.

The bar has a selection of 60+ domestic and imported beers; what is the ethos behind this ?

It’s all about craft beers. We don’t have ‘Fosters on tap’, we’re about providing decent micro-brewed beers including the Goose Island range, beers from across Europe (including Germany), Australia, New Zealand, America.

What’s your life philosophy?

Just enjoy every day. I started as a pot washer at 13 years, worked in my first bar at 17 years and now I’m 28 with my own bar. I went to Bournemouth University, trained as a chef and before this ran a restaurant on the beach in Devon.

What’s the best bar you have been in, in London/Worldwide?

I like ‘dirty old man’ pubs, it depends on the music. Lost Society on Wandsworth Rd is a brilliant craze with cocktails as good as you can get.

What are your guilty pleasures?

I like a bit of rock music, especially AC/DC.

What are the 3 things you would save from fire?

I’d save my iPod, it’s got everything on it. I’d also save my film collection that’s on VHS & DVD and includes 80’s classics... and my snowboard.

What would you say is the main difference between the Ink Rooms and other bars?

I’d say it’s the style of the bar, there’s not anywhere like it. The atmosphere is sociable

(there are 5 groups in here saying they’ve had a brilliant time).

People dance on the chairs and the music varies so caters for everyone, and it’s so chilled. We’re not a ‘stop-off’ but a destination bar, people come here and stay for a long time.

Do you do food?

No but ‘Hell’ pizza, opposite (on Lavender Hill) do, they’re a New Zealand company and our clients can order a £10 pizza and beer deal with free delivery.

www.inkrooms.com

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The Bedroom Genius Events team

All photos taken by Mr Man