Lost Society, Clapham Common  

Time Out's 2006 Bar of the Year (but come on folks, don't hold that against it) and owner of quite possibly the most pretentious web site known to man, Lost Society conducts itself with a strutting peacock-style panache that would send most people into an embarrassment-induced coma. The interior, like the mentally unstable web site, is a psychedelic rip off of Baz Lurhmanns vision of Moulin Rouge with a large number of garish ideas competing for attention across two floors, including sultry booths, conservatory, licensed garden and a slightly ridiculous library bar that for some reason doesn't stock Catherine Cookson. The entire operation is wrapped up in clone turn-of-the century fittings and furniture, jazzed up still further by mood lighting, glass mirrors, a world wide selection of expensive bottled beers, party hire, music, cavorting bartenders - presumably only health and safety regulations have held back the introduction of dancing monkeys. It's a dazzling display of bravado for an establishment stuck between a £1 a pizza takeout and a big bin at the slightly run down end of Wandsworth Road. And, unsurprisingly, a lot of people will find it very hard to swallow, especially as the clientele is as full of themselves as their environment. Still Lost Society is certainly entertaining and on the drink selection front quality pervades, but it could do with taking itself a little less seriously by lowering the very high prices and ejecting some of the over-exuberant and frankly embarrassing décor.

reviewed:
17/8/2007

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

wide selection of bottled beers from around the world

reserved area for party hire

licensed outdoor garden at the back, open until closing time

regular lounge singer and other music acts

WiFi hotspot

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