The Old School Yard

£11 - £25 / Cocktail bars, Pizza

111 Long Ln, London

Opening hours

5:30PM-12:30AM

Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 5:30PM-11PM
Wednesday 5:30PM-11PM
Thursday 5:30PM-12AM
Friday 5:30PM-12:30AM
Saturday 5:30PM-12:30AM

Karaoke Fun with Exceptional Staff Service

Venturing into The Old School Yard in search of a joyful escapade turned out to be a delightful adventure colored with nostalgic charm. This whimsical establishment, tucked away near London Bridge, is not your typical bar; it’s a gateway to an audio-visual stroll down memory lane. With its vibrant 80s and 90s themed decor, it's as if you’ve stepped onto the pages of a childhood story that came to life, where arcade games line the walls and karaoke booths nestle playfully like secret – albeit sometimes sequestered and acoustically insulated – vocal playgrounds. The cocktails whizzed up by nimble bartenders, perhaps decked with a touch more panache for those who find themselves under James’ capable stewardship, are a delectably refreshing concoction that evokes equal measures of nostalgia and cheekiness.

The atmosphere pulsates with effervescence, amplified no doubt by the often uproarious melodies leaking from happy bands of vocal enthusiasts snug within their subterranean cabaret coves. While the establishment occasionally overreaches for the "New York never sleeps, so neither do we" club aura, it's largely excusable amid the tangible camaraderie which the lively and occasional eye-rolling-of-humor staff add to the scene. It’s here that attendees find solace in the aptly named Happy Hour proceedings, making earnest attempts at hits both old and justifiably forgotten. A gentle note of forewarning though: the lavatorial facilities are closer to what can only be termed “authentically vintage” and might benefit from a touch less authenticity. Overall, the joys of an evening spent in such a distinctive alternative universe endure long after the last, questionably-tuned note has drifted into the South London night. — Penelope Savory