The Drunken Monkey Overview
Where can we start with the Drunken Monkey? Well first off homage must be dished out to the person who came out with the name, what a cracker. It kinda invokes a drinking venue with an oriental twist for those who enjoy an experience different to the norm you find in London and this is exactly what you get at the Drunken Monkey.
A self described 'Dim Sum Eatery and Bar' the Drunken Monkey sits almost anonymously on the corner of Shoreditch High St and Great Eastern St, perhaps it’s lack of immediate prominence is due to it’s previous incarnation as a lap dancing venue and thus desire to create an almost non descript façade. Now, rather than entering a den of debauchery, you find yourself stepping into a refreshingly cool new venue. Offering Dim Sum from midday to midnight alongside draft beer, wines and cocktails, the Drunken Monkey has certainly hit on a winning formula.
The Drunken Monkey combines everything positive from London's gastro pubs, with a taste of Manhattan Bar Chic and a large dosage of Oriental Kung Fu spice. Ceiling fans whirl away as a red hue descends from the hanging lanterns above the scrubbed wooden floors and tables. Separated from the main room, by ornate Chinese screens, is a small alcove 'The Concubine Area' is perfect for a group of about 20 (ideal if you're one guy with 19 girls). Whilst slightly raised is the 'Wudan' room at the back, seating around 30. DJs spin their disks every evening from around 6 ish with tunes that successfully enhance the mood of the venue.
Being a Dim Sum venue you’d be crazy not to sample the delicious food the Drunken Monkey has to offer. We did and we weren’t disappointed. Dishes such as the 'Chili Salt Fried Squid' (strips of squid in a spicy batter with garlic and chili) £3.50; 'Drunken Ribs' (small pork ribs, marinated in beer and spices over night and then oven roasted) £3.00; 'Salt & Pepper Prawns' (king prawns in a batter spiced with pepper, salt and chili) £4.00 and the 'Barbequed Roast Pork Buns' (semi sweet pastry with a rich barbequed pork filling) at £3.00 were all as mouth watering as they sound. Regarding cocktails you can choose from the 'classic cocktail menu with a kung fu twist', we recommend the (classic) 'Monkey Mojitos', the raspberry flavored 'Monkey Nuts' and the sweet pineapple house specialty the 'Simian Features'.
It's not often that you go to a bar or a pub in London that's been praised as much as the Drunken Monkey and not be disappointed (Updated 01/05/2005)
Additional Info: Cocktails, Late License, DJ, Cocktails Recommended, Food Recommended, Food, Non-Smoking Area
Nearby Venues:
- Light Bar and Restaurant (The), International (0.00km)
- Spice E1, Indian (0.03km)
- 1 Blossom Street, Italian (0.14km)
- Industry, European (0.20km)
- Hawksmoor, Eclectic (0.23km)
- T (The Tea Building), Bar (0.23km)
- Corney & Barrow (Exchange Square), [Other/Unclassified] (0.26km)
- Pulpit (The), [Other/Unclassified] (0.28km)
- Alibi, Bar (0.31km)
- Canteen, British (0.31km)
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