The Elbowroom

Good name, brilliant idea. Now a small national chain, The Elbow Room is an award-winning hybrid of bar, club and American-style pool hall and the kind of place that makes broadsheet journalists write things like: " I must have died and gone to heaven."

Impressed? You will be. Big baize oblongs stretch into the dimly-lit distance; funky DJ-led music plays loudly; and an animated, unpretentious crowd create an unique, laidback ambience. Very cool and very cosy. With 11 tables, five screens, a VIP room and a lots of leather booths, Islington's Elbow Room is a mighty fine tribute to modern loafing. And a fantastic place to hold a pool party. Tables can be booked by the hour.