COUNTER: London’s Longest Bar and Brasserie

Officially London’s longest restaurant housed in a 200-foot long arch (which could easily accommodate Nelson’s Column), COUNTER is the all-day bar and brasserie where Manhattan emerges in Vauxhall. Located just seconds from the main line and Victoria Line stations, COUNTER Vauxhall Arches brings a touch of New York’s ‘happening’ Meatpacking District to what is Europe’s largest urban regeneration area and the top casual dining destination.

This 175-cover restaurant serves up an eclectic feast of freshly made (and seasonal) French and American inspired dishes priced from £12-22 for main courses and £6-10 for hot breakfast meals. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, the brand new Autumnal menu packs a culinary punch.

Starter / small plates include: Venison tartare, beetroot, fresh horseradish, pickled mushrooms (£9) and Salt and pepper squid, black aioli, green chilli salsa (£7) while main course highlights include Monkfish bouillabaisse, shrimp, saffron rouille (£14), NY Chopped salad of beans, peppers, spinach, pumpkin seeds, eggs (£12) and Duck a l’orange, duck croustillante, butternut squash (£18).

Dessert-wise, opt for the Fried apple pie, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon syrup (£6), Peanut butter parfait, raspberry jelly, blondie (£6) or the Maple cheesecake, pecans, Chantilly cream (£6).

Counter’s impressive four-sided, brass-topped bar strategically placed in the middle of the restaurant shakes up some of the Capital’s best tasting cocktails to sip on – whether it’s a top Tom Collins, a magnificent martini or the quintessential cosmo. Also check out Counter’s carefully curated wine list, comprised exclusively of French and American wines, as well as an extensive selection of laid-back craft beers to quench the thirstiest of mouths.

Dubbed ‘Deco meets Disco’, the look and ambiance is a trend-setting take on glamour – bringing the traditional brasserie firmly into the 21st century. Combining the heritage of Vauxhall’s historic reputation for pleasure-seeking with its emerging skyline and recent development projects in the area, glittering antiqued mirrors and a palette of lacquered grey tones are highlighted with brass detailing and custom-made lighting set off against reclaimed teak floors.

Weekend brunch at COUNTER is a weekly ‘must’ where diners are invited to ‘Build their own Bellini’ alongside live entertainment on Sundays. For those in search of a bit of COUlture, COUNTERculture hosts ‘must be seen @’ events every Tuesday, from meet and greets with aspiring local artists to cocktail master classes and culinary debates.

Finally, BackCOUNTER, COUNTER’s little gay brother and Vauxhall’s new ‘pleasure ground’ provides a much-needed ‘hangout’ at a time when many iconic bars are being closed or licenses not renewed. With packed out performances from the likes of the BANG boys, Topsie Redfern & Duncan Day – BackCOUNTER continues to provide that slightly naughty edgy feel to a good night out. Open Thursday to Sunday as the BackCOUNTER Lounge.

Amelia Graham

Counter, Vauxhall Station, 7-11 South Lambeth Place, London SW8 1SP. Click here to visit the COUNTER website.

Monday – Thursday: 7am – 12:30am
Friday: 7am – 1:30am
Saturday: 8am – 1:30am
Sunday: 8am – 12:30am