Review: The Lost Angel Bar, Battersea, London

I don't know anyone who doesn't appreciate a good cocktail. Even if you're a tee-totaller, a good blend of juices and purées is so much more satisfying than a glass of fizzy brown cola on a night out. What makes a cocktail even better, though, is when it's made exactly to your taste. Add a pro barman who knows what you want before you've even ordered it, and you've got my attention.

It's true, I don't often venture south of the river. On the rare occasion I do, it's usually to Southwark or Tower Bridge. Chelsea, Battersea and Clapham have never been on my radar, not when I'm a stone's throw from crazy Clerkenwell or hipster-central Shoreditch. (East London is mine.) But when London has an abundance of bars - some where acting is required to enter, others that transport you through sex shops, some that make you bring your own bottle - you have to wonder how a decent bar can get people's attention.

That's where The Lost Angel in Battersea makes its mark. It's a five minute bus ride away from Vauxhall tube, so easily accessible for notherners and southerners alike. And although the location is perfect for the likes of the Made in Chelsea gang, it wouldn't feel out of place sat on Old Street. Well, it does have a white phonebox, after all.

So. Although the road it's on is fairly busy and the surrounding shops look a bite tired, once you step inside you're greeted with dim and decadent interiors. The bar is centrally located within the high-ceilinged room, which means easy-to-order drinks without a petite person like me getting crushed and elbowed in the face. Always a good thing on a night out. Take a walk around and there are booths to sit, Chesterfield chairs to recline in and antler coat hooks to, y'know, hang things. Exposed bricks give the bar a hunter's lodge feel. It ties in London's history with quirky items, like trumpet lightshades and eclectic art.  All in all, it's a beautiful angel, that's for sure.

We arrived at 8pm on a Saturday, and already there were people sipping on cocktails and ordering from the extensive wine list. Over the course of the night the atmosphere really started to buzz, but it never left you feeling claustrophobic. It seems like it's a place for regulars and kinda-tourists alike.

So it looks good. It's buzzy and there's a real atmosphere. What about the drinks?

They're all about the gin here. It's clearly their forte, so I started with a Lavender Martini, made with lavender gin and garnished with a sprig of lavender. I was worried it would taste a bit too Parma Violets (great for crunching, not so good in a drink) but it was delicate and sweet, without being too sickly. In fact, it was easily the best gin-based cocktail I've had. Ever. The boy had a Refub Daquiri which was perfect for his sweet tooth and mixed expertly. As I was drinking the lavender-based goodness, it was difficult for me to really get a taste of it. Hey, when you find a cocktail you love, then you should enjoy it!

After these, we were at a loss as to what to try next. Their cocktail menu changes just as quickly as the seasons due to new spirits coming in all the time (like bathtub gin), so after describing I wanted something gin-based, not too sweet, not too sour, I was presented with Arabian Nights. It was exactly what I needed right there and then, and with it being made to my taste I have to say I was impressed. Especially so by the level of attention the barmen gave to each customer. Next for the boy was a Lost Sailor Berry, finished off with a Vanilla Sky.

All in all, the service was sublime. I get the feeling everyone who works there actually wants to be the top of their trade, which makes a difference to a night out. When you're being served by someone who's happy to have a laugh and a joke with you, it's so much easier to settle into a chair and while away the hours.

We left just before midnight to catch the last train back home. Ollie, who'd been serving us, led us right to the taxi rank and arranged a ride before saying goodbye.

The Lost Angel is a great place to have a drink. Cocktails will set you back about £7-8 a pop, standard London prices really. There are no gimmicks, no fridge doors or secret code words. All they need is their expert barmen, their awesome range of cocktails and a smile. A guaranteed good night out.

The Lost Angel | 339 Battersea Park Rd, London, SW11 4LS | 020 7622 2112