A Taste of Route 66 in Islington
We love it when a hot new nightspot appears in London. And it’s even better when a new venue pushes the boundaries with an exciting theme.
But when we heard the live music bar and kitchen ‘Rattlesnake’ was coming to Angel, the news came with slight trepidation. How would it compete with the hundreds of wine bars and world cuisine restaurants that fill the stretch of Upper Street?
But when we heard it was embracing a Texican style, inspired by the saloons of the legendary 60s movie Easy Rider, we couldn’t help but feel slightly excited.
The launch earlier this month (July) revealed an exciting mix for the senses. Dark lighting and red leather bar stools create a moody atmosphere and everywhere you look there’s a nod to 1960s American culture, mixed in with some legendary British musicians.
A juke box sits in the corner which plays the likes of early David Bowie, Joy Division and Velvet Underground. A neon lit Bowie installation glows brightly and a feature wall is filled with dozens of record covers. There’s no holding back on design.
That’s because it’s been inspired by Irish designer Paul Daly. He’s the man behind Miss Q’s – a rock bar in Earl’s Court – the Vendome in Mayfair and Zigfrid Von Underbelly bar, and Roadtrip in Shoreditch. Wow.
What makes Rattlesnake even more believable is Daly experienced the Route 66 tour himself.
Daly used to front a band in Dublin in 1981 and created stage props for U2’s world famous ZOO TV tour. Impressed yet? We are.
Don’t expect an ounce of pretentiousness here. You’re going to get corndogs washed down with ice-cold beers rather than the finest cut of Kobe Beef and glass of Merlot.
But we love its sense of fun. Go to powder your nose in the ladies and you’ll feel like yelling ‘Ye-haw’ as you stride through the Western saloon-style swing doors. And if that doesn’t get you doing, indulge in one of their mouth-watering cocktails. We tried Margharitas, Pina Coronados and ‘Raging Bulls’ – all infused with Patron Tequila.
TV chef Gizzi Erskine, presenter Sarah Cawood and comedians Russell Kane and Matt Horne have already given Rattlesnake the nod. And Belle loves its authentic and non-gimmicky Texican-English surroundings.
With a capacity for 300, it’s even among the largest bars in London. The question is, when will you brave Rattlesnake?
