Gerald’s Bar

Don’t come here thinking ‘just a quick one and I’m out’ – you’ll only disappoint yourself. Gerald’s is about slowing down and taking your time. It could be that you want to catch the rest of a record that’s just been flipped – anything from 1980s ska and ’60s soul to New York New Wave, classic reggae or the great Nina Simone – or order another serve of excellent prosciutto or bresaola, cut to order on a hand-cranked slicer. The menu could keep you lingering too. Written by hand on butcher’s paper, it’s an ever-changing collection of wine-friendly food along the lines of shucked-to-order oysters, fried whitebait with lemon mayo, Caprese salad with smoked tomatoes, pork terrine, steak and potatoes and a spot-on tiramisu. Snacking and feasting are equally viable options. 

Then there’s the mesmerising puzzle of the décor. Do Gerald’s two small rooms with net half-curtains in the front window and walls and shelves teeming with things to look at (a giant framed poster of Alfie-era Michael Caine, well-thumbed cookbooks, kitsch op-shop trinkets), represent order or chaos? The same question applies to the crowd – what binds all these people of all different ages together? The answer might be the drinks list. It’s a strong well-constructed collection, particularly good on wine with styles and prices to suit all comers. There are decent cocktails too and quaffable beers. 

But the real reason you and all your fellow travellers linger? It’s because all these separate elements, plus soft golden lighting and witty, efficient staff, come together to cover every one of the desirable neighbourhood bar bases. Gerald’s makes you feel like you belong and that’s always a place always worth spending more time.