7 months ago
We visited SideChick, Brixton’s newest bar, and found ourselves wanting to stay there forever. It’s a place as addictive as its menu.
When 426 Coldharbour Lane came available, April (of Wood and Water, ABV and Batanga) and her partner Lee jumped at the chance to breathe some new life into the historic building. What once was a traditional eel and pie shop turned into cult favourite Nanban, and is now reborn as SideChick, Brixton’s latest bar that is bringing sophisticated cocktail culture to the SW. Their vision for the venture was to, as April puts it, “create a space that champions cocktail culture in South London; a place that feels chic but not pretentious, with a menu that illustrates a wealth of knowledge and experience that is also reflected in the service. Ultimately we wanted to open a place that we would like to spend time in – tasty bar bites, quality cocktails and an atmosphere that feels good“.
The drinks menu is split into three sections, there’s ‘Fallen Friends’ which pays homage to the cocktail shapers of the world. Forgotten Classics are all about showcasing knowledge and passion of the finest drinks out there and the Signature Drinks are all of SideChicks favourites. The ‘5 year SideChick’ is a rotating daiquiri which will always be impressive, and April says that the ‘Wimbledon’ is a true taste of strawberries and cream in a glass. It’s got a rum base, giving it that Brixton representation whilst also celebrating traditionally British flavours.
Though the focus of SideChick is certainly the cocktails, it’s not just the cocktails. There’s a food menu that has been inspired by the American South, on which you can find easy bites like buttermilk fried chicken, a heavily cajun spiced shrimp po’ boy and a dreamy red velvet cheesecake. April recommends the divisive fried okra. It’s cornmeal crust coating gives it a crunch that even the okra skeptics of the world will fall for. Plus it’s sneakily vegan and gluten free.
SideChick has filled a martini glass-shaped hole that Brixton didn’t know it was missing. We visited and immediately fell in love with the chilled atmosphere and fantastic playlist as much as we did the food and drinks. April and Lee have delivered on their aim to create a space that you’ll want to be in- it was hard to tear ourselves away from our seats and return to the world outside. But whilst we were inside? It was a haven of escapism from a hectic life. A haven we will be coming back to.
