North Pole Bar & Restaurant

Built in 1849, the pub's name originated with the Victorian obsession for polar exploration. The building was converted in 1998 to the stylish venue that it is today, offering a complete night out under one roof. Guests might begin their evening with a signature cocktail in the bar, then climb the spiral staircase to the stylish Piano Restaurant, where the resident pianist tinkles away on the ivories in the evenings from Thursday to Sunday. If at this point you happen to look up and see goldfish swimming around in the chandeliers, don't worry: they are real, and nothing to do with the cocktail you enjoyed earlier. In the basement you'll find the South Pole club, where you can dance until 2am. Completing the picture is a terrace, which makes an ideal spot for a glass of Pimms on a summer's evening. An extensive bar menu is available daily from noon until 10pm. Choices include light bites, loosely defined as tapas - Chinese chicken satay with hoi sin sauce; Thai battered prawns with sweet chilli sauce; and houmous, tzatziki and baba ghanoush dips with pitta bread are some examples. A selection of salads, wraps and baguettes also cater for smaller appetites. From the main menu, the North Pole burger is home made and served with chips and salad; other comfort dishes are fresh tagliatelle; steak and ale pie; and a half-pound sirloin steak. For the sweet tooth, one of half a dozen desserts will hit the spot: lemon and lime tart with fresh raspberries; a dark chocolate cheesecake; or a baklava in filo pastry with mixed nuts, dried fruit and vanilla syrup. Sundays bring roast dinners in the restaurant and live jazz, funk and Latin music downstairs - sophisticated tastes but children are nonetheless welcome. The bar features popular international beers such as Staropramen and Peroni.