Blush Bar (Closed Permanently)

Friendly, welcoming, casual and mostly female, Blush Bar is the domain of Siobhan Cantwell, who got it going in 2000 following the demise of 1990s girl bar Due South. Located in Stoke Newinton not far east of Abney Park Cemetery, the no-fuss bar is neither slick nor trendy, but just does its own thing with a selection of wines, beers, spirits and bar snacks with a soundtrack of pop, friendly house and oldies – a bit like being in the regions. Karaoke and DJs give Friday nights a party boost, and there are dance floors both at ground level and in the basement, the latter of which opens only for one-off Saturday events. There's even a jukebox with actual CDs. Beer garden out back, with smoking an option. As of 2014 there's no sign outside – just a grey frontage. There was talk of calling it Handle Bar, but no. Overground station: Stoke Newington. Closed as of 2015.