Bar review: The Elbow Room, Herne Bay

The Elbow Room bar in Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. Photo / Richard Robinson

Address: 198 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay
Rating:

First drinks: It was a hot afternoon so my partner and I met up at this cute corner bar for a couple of refreshing drinks. The gin offering was awesome - he picked the lovely local dry Rogue Society. I went with the popular Italian aperitif - and one of my favourites in this weather - Aperol spritz. When a shot of Aperol was added to cheap soda and there was no sign of Prosecco, my heart broke a little. This was not the beverage I was hoping to wet my whistle with.

The vibe is: A good mix of all ages, locals, enjoying the end of the working week and welcome sun. The collection of tables sitting on Jervois Rd is perfect for people-watching, while the more cosy, dimly lit interior is a great date spot.

Photo / Nicky Park

It smells of: The fragrance of the person beside you - patrons are pretty tightly packed in, not that we mind the intimacy. There's also the occasional waft of bar snacks depending on the hour.

On the stereo: Plays groovy beats most nights, but they also host live music, so check out the blackboard or give them a buzz. The website was still showing off the winter line-up when we looked in January, so it's probably best to touch base and see what's on.

Room for improvement: This cool little bar is ideal for cocktails and cute dates - so making sure you can mix the drink order is key. If you're not sure, tell us to wait at the table and ask your colleague. And update the website so we know what's happening.

The perfect spot for: Date night, for sure. Whether that's with someone you're trying to break ice with, a good friend, or a lover - this is a scene best set for two.

Most redeeming feature: While the drinks weren't perfect, the table service is full of smiles and endless salted peanuts.

- TimeOut