Hoot N’ Annie’s

Very odd atmosphere… drinks seemed a bit less boozey for the cost… hmm.
Not sure I can give this place a full review, but wasn’t so impressed with my first visit to want to come back. There really wasn’t much to say.

Decent selection of bottled beers. We found the music too loud for 7pm. Not sure about the fit out of the place — felt a bit strange to us (two guys), a bit too much pink for our liking from memory

At first I was slightly confused. I’d popped in to meet a couple of friend’s for an impromptu quiet Friday night drink. But inside Annies Bar it was as if an England world up game had collided with a hen party in someone’s living room and transported us all back to the 70’s. The DJ was playing Chaz & Dave and Come on Eileen and men in England shirts were dancing and drinking pink cocktails. It took me a while to work it out, despite the red and white balloons everywhere and ‘St George’s Day Happy Hour Specials’ being written on the menu on the table in front of me (it had been a long week ok). This wasn’t a typical Friday night. So «Leaning on Lampost’ aside (which incidentally remained imbedded in my brain for most of the following week) the bar was quite nice. The staff were lovely but really slow, despite having put cocktail specials on, only one staff member could actually make cocktails and even then they were OK but not great. The décor was really nice and the prices reasonable.
I’d definitely be keen to see what it’s like without Chaz N Dave.

Kentish Town is a special place, a borough like no other. Annie’s bar opened approximately six months ago and seemed slightly over-​dressed for the area from the start.
After an souring of alternate plans, a cocktail was in order. 2−4−1 martinis was a lovely surprise, especially considering it was Saturday night. My sweet tooth in toe, I opted for a passionfruit cocktail.
The décor is truly gorgeous, the high ceiling and swags of tapestry are more suited for a west London venue. Throne-​like chairs made me feel like a princess and the whole colour combination kept it lavish.
Did I mention we were sat next to a bunch of Mexican mariachi. A sea of sombreros within an interior made for the rich and famous. Can’t leave out the teen in a chimney sweep outfit who danced his way in and quickly took a nap on the table. Alternatively, Annie’s seems to welcome an older crowd. It is worth mentioning that they seemed unaffected by the random surroundings.
As for my personal experience, it was positive. I drank my 2−4−1 bevvie and loved the ’80’s tunes. My chair was comfy and my company was fabulous.

First and foremost have a look at the downstairs toilets in this place, they are just like the final scenes of Enter the Dragon. It is the hall of mirrors without Mr Han and his evil claw hand. In truth the whole bar is beautifully designed. With classic tapestries, chandeliers and gawdy wallpaper and furniture, Annies has a lot of style.
Annies also has a well stocked bar that serves up 2−4−1 on selected cocktails all week — even on a Saturday night. Do not expect super mixology, the cocktails aren’t to that level, but my passionfruit martini was still good. I was there on Saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the chessy 80’s music that was being played by the resident DJ, and it seems that most nights have a theme.
So far so good. The clientèle is another matter though. RANDOM! Oh the customers are oh so random. The best way to describe them, is as if the average Kentish Town pub crowd got up and came to this beautiful bar. You’ve got your old fellows drinking pints at the bar. Young 20’somethings in fancy dress (The Church was open) the odd well-​dressed Cougar, and a smattering of football supporter types. It is great to see Kentish Town popping up these kind of upmarket establishments, it may take a while for the customers to catch up on the class factor though.

Really liked the place, had a nice vibe plus the food was tasty.
‘LiveVentures’ should not be so rude!

Congratulations to Julia Kirby, a rather enchanting and talented female pianist playing at Annies Bar last night.
The bar was a pleasant surprise being on Kentish Town Road and the overall service, quality of food and drinks very good. Cocktail skills need some improvement (Taste Good /​look not as good as they could)
Julia however looked great and sounded amazing, a delicate yet strong voice with sparkling piano skills. I look forward to hearing her play again soon.
Fab Magic needs to upgrade her ‘CHAT’

I’ll give this a very quick review as it’s opening night at the renamed Annies — no invite for me though. It’s no longer yellow on the outside — it’s beige. It’s got black awnings. It has a piano in it which struck me as odd, and the workmen were still finishing off the outside as lots of people were sipping champers on the inside. A little odd.
It’s called Annies as of today in a little homage to the old pub. Be interesting see how it gets on and ‘ll do a proper review when I’m not just walking home and peering in the window at a party I’m not invited to :)
Ok — update as I went there last night to check it out. Bling might be a good word for it? A white baby grand piano and a massive chandelier plus some knocked off 17^th century Court of King Louis French seatingadd in cocktails, doormen (in kentish town??), 4 foot high silver plant pots and you have something that feels a little like someone teleported a bar from miami or LA onto Kentish town high street.
When you consider the view out from the bar is Somerfield, Chicken Cottage, Blustons and Ladbrokesit makes you wonder if the people behind it are living on a different planet?
Then again it was busy as hell last night, and you have to admire the ambition of trying to set something like this up. So good luck chapsand best of luck with the old locals who looked like they came back to have a nose and spent a lot of time discussing the lack of TV