The Jam Tree (Bar)

Top 10 things to know about The Jam Tree: 

1) This bar and restaurant is a 5-minute stroll from Clapham Common station, past stylish boutiques and seriously trendy coffee shops. 

2) Inside, a female-dominated crowd, late twenties to early forties, laid back, casually yet stylishly dressed.

3) It doesn’t actually serve jam, but it does have an enormous cabinet filled with jars of the stuff; one of the many eclectic pieces of decoration. You’ll also find a Beatles mural, a hanging garden and a secret bookcase that opens to reveal a further dining area.

4) The menu is wide and varied, meaning something for everyone. Even vegans are well catered for with a tasty aubergine, tomato and freekeh salad, plus mango and coconut pudding for dessert. That said, Sunday is a one of the best days of the week to eat here. Why? Because you can fill your belly with everything from a hearty brunch, to a 28-day aged sirloin roast with all the trimmings. Plus, it’s as lively as a Friday night (without the crowds).

5) The cocktails are to die for, and there are plenty to choose from. Particularly recommended is the espresso martini, which has just the right balance of vodka, Patron XO Café and fresh espresso. There’s also a special gin menu, and for vino lovers, the wine list is pretty spectacular too; plenty of bubbly if you’re celebrating a birthday, new job, anniversary, or divorce settlement.

6) Prices are what you’d expect for a funky place in a cool neighbourhood, but not too OTT. Cocktails from £9, and wine from £4 (small glass).

7) The staff are super attentive. As soon as you’ve drained the final sip of your drink, they’re in there asking if you’d like another. The food service: equally swift. 

8) If you’re visiting during the summer months, a huge outdoor al fresco sun terrace is yours to enjoy. You can even bring your dog. 

9) There’s a fun photobooth to capture moments with those random people you may forget by the following morning. Just pop a few quid in the slot and pull your best face. 

10) The Jam Tree doubles as a great place to soothe your hangover from the night before. Pick a spot on one of the comfy sofas and snuggle down for the afternoon with a board game and a Maple Bacon Bloody Mary....read more