Take a tiny trip and tumble down a staircase in Dalston and you’ll end up at Ruby’s; a sort-of speakeasy beneath an illuminated cinema billboard baring a different message depending on the mood.  When we visited it read ‘nothing to see here’ which as you well know is usually b*llocks. The bar opened when Dalston was still in its ‘hipster’ infancy, but now it’s a mainstay on the hedonistic late night circuit and its success has convinced Tom Gibson to go balls out and open a lounge next door.

Despite boasting Berlin aesthetics, it’s the Butlin’s joie de vivre we love about Ruby’s, you’re packed in so tightly you can’t help but make friends, which is cool as everyone is solidly above a 7 in the looks department. There is a lot to see here, as long as your beer goggles adjust to the low light and you take it easy on the Rhubarb Sours, that is. The bar’s a seated only joint, if there isn’t a table you’ll have to wait until one comes up. There will be a small huddle around the bar but no disco-dancing/slut dropping, there simply isn’t the space.  

If you want something more roomy or fancy swapping a cocktail for a decent Italian wine or pint of ale head through to the lounge where you can groove to live bands or DJs at the weekend. When the munchies set in, Hanoi Kitchen will sort you out with some Vietnamese street food. This one’s got it all.