Chaos and pandemonium may have struck London with the tube strike this week, but it certainly didn’t stop my best friend Megs and I, from making it to the opening night of the Fire Station bar and restaurant. The event marked a momentous occasion – Waterloo’s landmark local for post-work meet-ups rising again following a year under extensive refurbishment…
The evening kicked off with cocktails and chatter by the long bar and spacious drinking area, as we also drank in the vintage details subtly maintained in the urban redesign – the firehose lights hanging from the tall ceilings and the repro wall panel of the 1666 Great Fire of London particularly standing out.
Drinks generously flowing throughout the evening, we were treated to a delightful array of cocktails from light and floral options to concoctions inventively ‘smoked in The Fire Station.’ I may have found my summer favourite in the pear fizz, a refreshing blend of Absolut Pear Vodka and pear purée topped with Prosecco with herby undertones. While Megs fell in love with the Fire Station’s new fashioned take on the Old Fashioned, with house-made cinnamon syrup and smoked with oak chips.
On offer also, were wines by the glass and classic beers on tap, although it was the craft beers, including the likes of Beavertown, Anchor Steam & Sierra Nevada, that definitely caught everyone’s attention…
Supper was a seated affair across individual and communal bar-style tables. First up was a selection of the restaurant’s signature crispy thin wood-fired pizzas, from classic margarita with marinated buffalo mozzarella (simple but oh-so-delicious) to more adventurous flavour combinations such as salami pepperoni, peppadew peppers, green chillies & jalapeño.
Followed by their mouthwatering burgers – trendily presented, wrapped in paper and served on metal trays. With only the one vegetarian option I luckily escaped the dilemma of my fellow diners trying to choose between the prime meat burgers, and did well with the mushroom & sticky red onion – a crisp portobello mushroom patty with lashings of blue cheese sauce and tarragon mayo on little gem.
The side of spicy coleslaw went down a treat, the fiery undertones a sharp foil to the creamy mayo, while the fries – especially the sweet potato thins – were highly addictive.
And to finish, heavenly bites of rich chocolate brownies laced with salted caramel sauce, that may have had us fighting over the last piece.
The limited edition fire trucks gifted to guests was a lovely touch, a memorable reminder of a fabulously fun evening had and new friendships forged!
Would we venture back soon? Certainly. Its convenient location right by the station and across from the Old Vic, not to mention informal and laid-back ambience, makes the Fire Station a relaxed all-day hangout. Word on the street is that the barista is from the caffeine mecca Caravan at King’s Cross, so we may see you there over breakfast and our morning coffee next time round.
 The Fire Station, 150 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8SB