The Old School Yard, 111 Long Lane, London, SE1 4PH
Reviews
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If being reminded of your days as a pimply teenager at school sends shivers of horror down your spine then the Old School Yard, with its youthful exuberance and schoolyard memorabilia, may be a challenge. Skip it and you’ll be missing one of the best bar experiences and definitely some of the best cocktails in London.
The Venue
The ceiling of the Old School Yard is painted with a bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds and a shining sun rising off the wall, designed to capture the excitement we all used to feel as younguns, running out of school into the playground with our faces to the sky as soon as the bell rang. Back then you probably weren’t running straight to a cocktail bar but that’s just what you’ll be doing at the Old School Yard as this is where all the action is, with flair bartenders, flaming cocktails and a killer menu.
The rest of the bar is a comfortably sparse and the retro touches like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game, lockers, sports trophies and a clock set permanently to 3.30pm will have you channelling Ferris Bueller. There’s also a garden out back with a BBQ if you want to play some hopscotch or kiss chase, or if it’s raining just curl up inside and play their Wii.
The Atmosphere
The Old School Yard is a little off the beaten track so crowds can be somewhat unpredictable, but with a 12.30am last orders and 1am licence on Fridays and Saturdays, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Depending on how busy it is, you’ll either be chilling on the couch savouring a drink or downing shots of Jagermeister with the accommodating bar staff. The Old School Yard is full of people having good old fashioned fun and the classic hits soundtrack is sure to get you on the dancefloor as the night goes on.
The Drink
The cocktails at the Old School Yard are truly special. Not only are the freshest ingredients used (often sourced from the nearby Borough Market) but your drink will be delivered to you with character, flair and finesse rarely seen in busy London bars.
Take your pick from the comic-book style menu (divided into school subjects), have it customised to suit your tastes and enjoy the show as your drink is juiced, muddled, flamed and thrown through the air in a series of impressive manoeuvres by the skilled mixologists in front of you. You’ll not be disappointed once it hits your tastebuds either – their Cosmopolitan, sweetened with fresh berries, would make even Carrie swoon. A popular choice is their fresh, delicious Bloody Mary (favouring Italian Modena balsamic vinegar over Tabasco as the secret ingredient) and will leave you gasping for more. For the boys, live like Denzel Washington and try the Man on Fire, a warming whiskey cocktail infused with fresh rosemary. At this high standard, the prices are nuts - cocktails start at just £4.90, and the unique Bloody Mary and Cosmo come in at £5.90. An even crazier Happy Hour deal runs from 6-8pm daily and all night on Sunday, where you can get cocktails for £4.50, beers for £2.50 and cocktail jugs for £12.
There’s also a huge selection of spirits and some wine and bubbles to choose from. If you’re adamant you want a beer then they have Tiger, Monteith, Becks and Magners cider in bottles for £3.30.
The Last Word
Fiercely independent and fuelled by fun and frivolity, this addition to the London cocktail scene is hard to beat. As Cat Stevens sang, you’ll definitely remember your days in the Old School Yard.
Review by Pru Engel
"I live North of the River and rarely venture south... over the last 6 months I look back and now think ive spent more time drinking Jagermeister in The Old School Yard than I have in my own house!!! On a serious note, the staff there are so friendly I recently booked my Birthday which went off with a bang... Cocktails were awesome, the list is diverse and entertaining! (try going through it in a night)the Music was cool, and the crowd were just in a party mood which I suppose was helped by the unique and exciting decor... I felt like a kid just leaving school so was in a cheeky mood which my GF didnt like too much :-(Over all I highly reccomend TOSY for either a quiet drink on the couch or a roaring party, great drinks and friendly faces!See you for Halloeen!!!"
"If anything, we're surprised it didn't happen sooner. What with popular nostalgia-fests such as School Disco and the raft of "We Love the..." TV programmes (usually featuring Stuart Maconie waxing lyrical about Space Hoppers and Raleigh Choppers), a playground-themed pub doesn't seem entirely crazy. Old lockers, a teacher's desk, various computer games and a ceiling painted to look like the sky are the standout features which fill this old pub. Once a Wenlock Brewery pub called the George (as you can still make out from the frontage), it's still fairly pubby, complete with the old bar, but the retro touches make it seem slightly reminiscent of a sixth form rec room. The standard drink selection is very limited, but their focus is cocktails, presented in fun comic book style menus. Our Thursday early evening visit found it very quiet here, but hopefully it picks up later; presumably they're hoping to attract people of a certain age who can identify with the nostalgia on offer. It's certainly a theme with a lot of scope and we think they could do even more to give it that 'playground' feel. Even so, it's a novel idea and refreshing to find a refurbished pub which hasn't just taken the usual gastro route.
"if you're looking for the BEST cocktails in town, look no further! and i don't mean a popular favourite or two; EVERY drink on their artistically well-rounded menu is...well...to be quite honest...AN ORGY IN MY MOUTH! these boys know how to do it! not only are they rated two of london's BEST bartenders, they love what they do and it shows! they serve QUALITY cocktails in style with a touch of flare if you so desire! fyi - best Bloody Mary on earth. hands down. the atmosphere is the exact opposite of pretentious! bright, colourful and comfortable. massive wrap-around bar, back patio with BBQ, couches, big screen tv and let's not forget the video games; Ninja Turtles and Wii. it doesn't get any better! you are taken right back to your carefree childhood days where fun is a given and stress does not exist! the music is banging. don't be surprised if you find yourself dancing all over the pub! they play it all and the owners do not hesitate to hop on the bar and shake their tail-feathers to everyone's amusement! if it's a theme party you're after, this is the place! these boys go all out for special occasions! 80s, halloween, live band...they do it all...in style! the best part of the old school yard experience is getting to know the staff. kind, courteous and ridiculously talented. they're good for a laugh, always make you feel welcome (often with a shot of jager), and regardless of how busy they are, they always take the time to say hello! they take pride in their regulars, and as soon as you check them out, i guarantee you'll become one! this place is TOPS! deffo worth the trip! i highly recommend rounding up your finest posse and sampling the entire menu in one go! TOPS!"
"The Old School Yard is a fantastic place for a night out or a quick one after work. They have a great range of cocktails at very reasonable prices and are made with such flair that you can't help but want to order another! Darren and Slash are awesome hosts who make sure that you always feel welcome and part of the crowd. This bar is a must visit for anyone who hasn't been already!"