Open Mon–Wed 5pm–11pm; Thu–Sat 5pm–2am
The style:
The latest venture from Nick Valentine, founder of Cuckoo Club and Molton House and Eddie Bloom, son of Jamie Bloom, former owner of the legendary Rainbow Theatre (which played host to Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa and The Clash in the ’70s), Miss Q’s promises to bring a bit of rock ‘n’ roll back to Earl’s Court.
Boasting a 430-capacity pool bar, diner, gallery and live music club/saloon, it was designed by Paul Daly Design Studio (projects include The Hoxton Apprentice and Shoreditch’s Roadtrip). The 7,000sqft open-plan basement area is split into different areas: three full-sized American pool tables dominate one quarter, flanked by American diner booths. Nearby, there’s a music saloon complete with a low stage, lighting rig and mixing desk. A separate underlit dance floor adjacent to the DJ booth leads on to an intimate gallery space that houses a cool rock ‘n’ roll photographic exhibition and a retro pinball machine. Seven plasma screens are dotted throughout the venue. Music, however, is the focus of the venue, and a Tarantinoesque soundtrack was being played during our visit.
The crowd:
Ageing rock ‘n’ rollers and rock chicks drank the bar dry on the opening night in late October. During our second visit in January, though, we got to see the regulars: after-work groups and 30-something couples.
The food:
The US diner menu features burgers, hot dogs and sharing platters, all under £10. We plumped for a stodgy Mexican veggie wrap with sweetcorn, salad and fries (£6.50) and an 8oz beef burger with decent French fries and basic salad (£7.50) with a side of too-smooth guacamole (50p). For dessert, we shared a rich chocolate brownie, which arrived with toasted almonds and ice-cream rather than crème fraîche as mentioned on the menu, and a good banana split (both £3.95 each).
The drinks:
Our waitress was very sweet (‘so apologetic she nearly fainted,’ my friend noted) when she forgot our order: a black cosmopolitan (which tasted better than it looked – rather like a muddy puddle) and a fruity satsuma daiquiri (both £6.95 each). Beer specialities include Zatec, a snappy Czech beer, and Grolsch Weizen, a Dutch wheat beer. There are also milkshakes (£3.95 each) and pitchers (£18.50) available.
