Drunken Monkey

What rave reviews give with one hand they definitely take away with the other. Drunken Monkey was busy settling into its low–key Shoreditch High Street location when it was nominated for an Evening Standard award – the cash registers haven't stopped ringing since. Good news for whoever rubs their hands over the takings, bad for E1 locals who hadn't got round to a visit yet. During the week the original vibe remains with a steady flow of punters chatting over dim–sum and beers. The lights are low so everyone looks like a hot piece of love–action and the music is funky. Come the weekend it's suits–by–the–dozen, hyperventilating office dolls and pumping bass you can feel in your fingernails. Your only hope for solace of a Friday night is to bag the cubby–hole room – space enough for you and a six–strong harem – and make like a Sultan till closing.

Email to a friend