Just a few minutes away from Farringdon station and quite literally a few steps from the door of one of the world’s best clubs, Fabric, lies Grand Union Farringdon, a bar I’d been keen to scope out for a while.
The Venue
Grand Union Farringdon is an intriguing amalgamation of ‘City’ and ‘trendy’. The grand décor is testament to this, bringing together patterned wallpaper, exposed brickwork, dim lighting and funky lampshades to create the vintage chic feel that has become synonymous with Grand Union.
The upstairs is well suited for after work drinks with high and low bar seating, whilst the downstairs is more suited for an entire evening with its formal looking dining area complete with big round tables and cavernous but comfortable booths, perfect for parties or gatherings. The retro movie signs reading ‘Pleasure Room’ and ‘Cocktails & Dreams’ are also a nice touch.
With lots of seating, you can enjoy a cocktail in comfort at Grand Union Farringdon.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
It didn’t feel too corporate, boasting an even mix of fashion conscious 20-somethings pre-drinking before a big night at Fabric or simply taking advantage of Happy Hour and suits fresh from a long day at the office. This mix of people creates a very chilled and welcoming vibe in comparison to some of the neighbouring venues in the area.
Those looking to let their hair down on a weekend will appreciate the transformation that occurs at around 10pm on a Friday and Saturday. The lights go down, some of the furniture is moved aside and DJs spin a selection of nostalgia inducing classics and popular chart toppers until 2am.
Ideal for after work drinks or something more raucous, Grand Union caters for all.
The Food and Drinks
The menu showcases the very best in bar food, with a great selection of burgers, pizzas, sharing platters and salads. We opted for the bucket of ribs with a side of fries and the Classic Chicken Caesar salad. Both were kept simple, fresh and tasty, the ribs being a particular highlight despite the messiness.
We were treated to a few drinks from the cocktail menu, which is extensive without being overly ambitious. The Prosecco based cocktails ‘Air Mail’ and ‘Americana’ were particularly strong and tasty, whilst the classics of Lynchburg Lemonade and Caiprinha were full of flavor and mixed very well.
The Hell Dog is just one of the amazing creations on Grand Union's food menu.
Summary
Whether it be after work drinks, taking advantage of the Happy Hour before a big night in one of the near by clubs or spending a whole evening, eating, drinking and dancing, the Grand Union Farringdon has a little something for everyone.
