Fluid Eating's Review of 64th & Social
Best for: Meat lovers, first dates, the young and young-at-heart in Clapham.
Great: Absinthe-laced mojitos, foamy Tiramisu cocktails.
Recently I’ve been reflecting on the aging process. Not so much in the Edmund Spenser, “pillars of Eternity/That is contrare to mutability”, sense. More like: “Eek is that a wrinkle? Am I GOING GREY?” While a spate of hospital visits may have contributed to my cogitations on illness and decline, in truth my angst is arguably more connected with the approach of a certain unnamed milestone that, without soiling this page with crass figures, I’ll unceremoniously refer to as a “triumvirate of decades”.
So it’s with a sense of deep trepidation that I stand on Clapham High Street and size up 64th & Social bar. Being a thorough sort of reviewer, I’ve already checked out the bar’s website, which makes unltra-clear its target market: young people. The types whose birth dates possibly don’t have an ‘8’ in them, and who think The Mysterious Cities of Gold are something they came across on their gap year. The website’s gallery, filled with snaps of attractive, youthful, things sporting bunny ear poses and “sexy faces” looks like a casting call for a (straitlaced) version of Skins. Maybe Skins: The jeans-and-shirt years. But, as we’ve already established, I’m no member of Generation Z. Unless that’s Zzz and it’s after 11pm and I’m involved in a vigorous round of Draw Something. What’s more, I’m with my mum. Rock on!
On entering, we automatically head straight past the booths opposite the bar, instead nestling ourselves in a comfy spot on the quieter mezzanine level at the back where we can “hear ourselves think”. The subdued ambience is a little too romantic for us, but is conducive to the epic descriptions of medical ailments that form the basis of our chat. Happily the soft leather corner seats are good for my gammy back.
Without razor-sharp whippersnapper’s eyes, the candles and subtle red lighting conspire to make reading the menu tough. So it’s handy that the only choices to be made are what type of steaks we’d like (fillets), what “starch” will be accompanying them (hand cut chips and creamy butter mash) and which sides we should order (wilted spinach with toasted pine nuts and French beans with smoked crispy pancetta). From Monday to Wednesday, all of this comes to £36, with a couple of glasses of wine thrown in, which seems like a good deal for this neck of the south London woods.
We’re saving our wine for the meal and, since it hasn’t arrived yet, like a pair of old lushes turn our attentions to the cocktails. Now some mums would order a Bloody Mary, others might push the boat out and go for a cheeky Kir Royale. However my revered matriarch is the kind who on a recent night out allowed herself to be swivelled round-and-round on a stool by my friends before downing a shot of tequila; the sort who routinely makes the “small member” gesture at bolshy male motorists; and the type who nicknamed me “Saffy” as a teenager for being overly sensible.
No boring old bellini for her. Instead, she opts for a Suicider Mojito, which features rum, apple liquor and cider and comes “laced with absinthe”. According to the menu, it’s a mojito “ON STEROIDS”. Maybe it’s the green fairy’s influence, but the potent concoction - set off with chunky handfuls of fresh mint - is undeniably the best mojito either of us has ever tried. I go for a Chillimisu; essentially a foamy, liquid tiramisu, shaken up with a bird’s eye chilli. It’s incredible.
By the time our fat, peppery steaks arrive we’re swaying even more than the giggly group of 20-something ladies sat opposite us. The food’s simple but perfect for a post-work gorge, and demonstrates the advantage of a smaller, well-chosen, menu. Unusually for a bar, the service is restaurant standard.
We leave the venue feeling bogged down with steak and chips rather than the weighty matters on our minds at the start of the night. Despite my earlier reservations, somehow 64th & Social - with the aid of some awesome cocktails - has made us feel young and carefree again. To quote another famous poet, it’s a reminder to “rage, rage, against the dying of the light”. And when you’re done being pretentious, to guzzle another Suicidal Mojito.
Reviewed by Charlotte Santry. (Updated 14/05/2012)
- Average price per head: £12.00
- Additional Info: No additional info for this venue.
64th & Social Food & Drink Menus
Listed below are few sample food and drinks items available at
64th & Social. These lists are not enhaustive, but are instead designed to give you an overview of the venue's
offerings and assciated prices.
64th & Social Food menu
Pick your Meat, Starch, Side, Sauce or Dip and then add a pint of Asahi or a small glass of house wine and enjoy your evening...
| Item |
Price |
| 12 oz Argentine Sirloin |
£12.00 |
| freshly sourced from Smithfields Meat Market weekly. Always cut fresh... |
| 12 oz Argentine Rib-Eye |
£12.00 |
| freshly sourced from Smithfields Meat Market weekly. Always cut fresh... |
| 12 oz Argentine Rib-Eye |
£12.00 |
| freshly sourced from Smithfields Meat Market weekly. Always cut fresh... |
64th & Social Drink menu
At 64th&Social we pride ourselves on our cocktails and take our time in making sure you get your drink served just as you like it. We specialize in the classics, but also have some great modern twists that will really surprise your taste buds. With an extensive range of the finest spirits, fresh fruit and homemade syrups and barmen that are just happy to help you enjoy your evening, what more can you ask for...
64th & Social Opening Hours
| Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| Closed |
6:00pm - 12:00am |
6:00pm - 12:00am |
6:00pm - 1:00am |
6:00pm - 2:00am |
6:00pm - 2:00am |
6:00pm - 3:00am |
Customer Reviews for 64th & Social
Write a review of 64th & Social
“Absolutely my housemates and my favourite bar in Clapham! Doormen lovely, Bar staff lovely and Robin the owner can't do more for us! Band every Thursday, awesome burgers and cocktails. Love 64th!!! Jen and the Hofettes xx”
Rating: 
— jennie, Clapham
(04 Nov 2009)
“I love 64!!”
Rating:
— claphamite, Clapham
(24 Mar 2009)
“I was there on Saturday, granted, it was reasonably early (9ish) but I loved it! It was the first time in 64th & Social, and my friend and I really didn't know what to order. The bar staff helped us make that decision and made us the best apple martinins ever!
We're definitely going back and taking some gal pals with us - the bar eye candy alone is worth going back for!”
Rating: 
— Kazza, London
(09 Sep 2008)
“Love this place. Excellent cocktails. Great vibe. Nice people. Friendly staff. Fab music. Not pricey either. Have been with mixed groups and also just with the girls. Haven't been hassled by drunken louts unlike other places on clapham high street!”
Rating:
— sam, london
(24 Feb 2008)
“Had a fantastic meal with friends, and even better it didn't break the bank. Was made to feel really at home by the staff, and the cocktails were fantastic and complemented the meal perfectly.”
Rating:
— Sandi Gagaliado, Clapham
(02 Aug 2007)
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