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We know what you’re thinking: drinking in Waterloo, really? For years Waterloo has had a reputation for being the place you only go to if you are catching a train or waiting for someone who’s catching a train. Not a place you’d actively want to spend time in, but I’m here to tell you that all of that is changing and there’s depth there, if you give it a chance.

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No more is this true that at Bar Topolski, a new bar that combines film, art and pickled things in jars with a unique aesthetic. The place is simply amazing; here’s what you need to know:

Bar Topolski: The Lowdown

Think a DJ, ping pong tables and Polish art all in one very cool space. Bar Topolski is a gallery of celebrated artist Feliks Topolski; hidden away under the railway arches of Waterloo, when the owners discovered the abandoned space all his original art work was still hanging and they decided to make it into a bar.

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The spirit of the Southbank lives on in the place; Topolski painted Topolski’s Chronicles here in 1953-1979 – a hand illustrated ‘tour’ of the world, its momentous events and it’s iconic figures including Mahatma Ghandi, Winston Churchill and Elvis Presley.

Bar Topolski: The Drinks

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There’s a real focus on handmade, bespoke cocktails and local beers on tap. The bar infuses its own spirits in cute jars, which makes for an excellent G&T. Try the cucumber gin – it’s a total game changer.

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If you’re budgeting, then join the Kanapki Klub at the bar – where 6-7pm daily there’s free open sandwiches, 2-4-1 on selected drinks and fun pads for sketching.

Bar Topolski: The Food

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL Bar Topolski, waterloo, drinking, drinks, cocktails, vodka, polish, spirit, food, sharing boards, fish, cheese, meat, macakrel, healthy, indulgent, after work, top 5, london, bars, mixology, quirky, fun, unusual

The menu has a Polish focus and is designed to share amongst friends. The sharing boards come in 4 varieties; the traditional Polish meat one with dry pork sausage, Kabanos and pickled red cabbage is really, really good. The beetroot-cured Smoked Salmon on the fish board is also fantastic; and at £7 a board, an affordable and satisfying pre-theatre dinner. They also do more substantial hot food, such as baked mackerel with fennel and radish, at a reasonable £6.50.

Bar Topolski: The Verdict

One of the coolest places for a date we’ve been in a long time; buzzy enough to feel atmospheric, not too loud that you have to do your best Jeremy Kyle impression to be heard. If you run out of conversation matter, there’s a ping pong table to distract you. We say: come for a cucumber G&T and a plate of smoked salmon and lose yourself amongst the arches.

For more information and to menu perve, see here: http://www.bartopolski.co.uk/