Commercial Tavern — Restaurant in London

This is probably one of the most interesting bars I have ever visited. As I walked in I felt like I was in a doll house that had a bar and DJ in it. The décor is totally whacky but really fun to look at. On the walls are everything from doll heads to stuffed animal heads to black and white photos. But they all sit in this pretty, light, and fancy room with a grand bar in the back. You would think that all of these things would not fit together but they do here. Upstairs the décor offers even more surprises. One set of drawers features pictures of naked lady discreetly sitting under a glass. Upstairs feels as fancy as downstairs and it also features accents such as stuffed animals and more dolls. There tables sit by big glass windows that overlook Shoreditch High street. The drinks are reasonably priced and the crowd is laid back. I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for something quirky, fun yet with an air of sophistication. This is a bar that impresses and one of Shoreditch’s best. I can’t wait to take friends from out...

It's Cheers for the startup crowd - where everybody knows about your latest funding round! Pretty decent selection of liquor and beer in this joint. Cheap and satisfying pizzas. Mish-mashed decor, but it works for the grottiness of the area. There's a small selection of cocktails that are better than most pubs, but could be a little more liberal with the amount on offer! I wish they'd make a whiskey sour, though.

It's my team's local, and we're all quite content hanging out here. The crowd is actually not too "Shoreditch" despite all the ripped jeans and cow hide bombers. Yes, everyone works for a startup, but I judge a pub on the manners of the blokes queueing with me at the bar - most guys take advantage and basically ignore you in order to get bar staff to pay him attention despite you being there first. Most of the dudes are generally respectful and acknowledge when you're first, and the bar staff pay...

In any other part of London, Commercial Tavern would be billed as a bar rather than a pub. But in Shoreditch a venue with loud music and purposely-distressed wallpaper is a pub. It really is a gorgeous space. Some people might find the collection of Virgin Mary statuettes and paint-splashed walls a bit pretentious…they probably wouldn’t be wrong. But I like it. I also much preferred the light and airy upstairs bar to the downstairs section, which seemed totally devoid of natural light. It’s not the best place for a catch-up, though. It’s very busy after work and the music is too loud to have a decent conversation. And apparently it’s best avoided altogether on a Saturday. But if you manage to get a seat upstairs, it’s a lovely place to...