Hippie heaven or a hippie haven, depending on how you look at it. Lots of interesting people, and an affordable place to drink in the downstairs JCR.
Ellie H.
Place rating: 2 London, United Kingdom
THEBAR I’ve lived in the SOAS bar for about 3 years, so I doubt that anyone else on Unilocal might know it quite as well as I. The place is a hole. Seriously, a hole. The tables and chairs look like they come from a parisienne café, and the jukebox(yes JUKEBOX not high-fi) is a relic(and its on random, you can’t choose any songs, but do check the out coin tray because freshers inevitably try) But you know what, its a bit like a pair of really old trainers: dirty, bit smelly, and frayed around the edges, but oh so comfy. Beer comes in at around £2.20, and there’s John Smiths, Fosters, and Black Sheep Ale, among others. The spirits and mixers cost less than that usually and there’s always 2 jugs of water and glasses on the bar. Chris the barman is witty, dry and a mean old queen(makes me laugh so much) and doesn’t serve prawn and cocktail crisps any more because the mice liked them too much(now there’s wostershire sauce instead) The samosas are a SOAS institution, I always get vegetable, but I understand that the meat option is also very popular. When I arrived these cost 70p! This has now been raised to £1, much to my consternation. They are soooo filling, a samosa and a 50p cup of tea can keep me going all the way through a G2 crossword and an afternoons worth of procrastination. Every Wednesday there’s a pub quiz, not much recommended unless you study at SOAS, and even then it requires an extensive knowledge of foreign relations(PM of Indonesia anyone?) There are often nights on in the JCR upstairs, very few of which I have attended, the whole place gets rammed(its very small) these nights tend to be mediocre at best. The most fun to be had at SOAS is listening to other people. Obtuse and interesting conversations abound, be careful not to snort into your tea/beer as you hear some Anthropology students dissect the workings of the world. For some of the best gems, check out the ‘Overheard at SOAS’ group on facebook. So if your broke, you attend SOAS, and have no desire to go to your class, the library or the computer rooms then the Bar is the place to be. Otherwise I recommend that you don’t fight your way past the protesters and smokers on the SOAS steps, the mardy security guards and the crush of students to partake in the experience of our slightly grubby bar.
Minal P.
Place rating: 5 London, United Kingdom
The Student Union at SOAS has to be the most diverse place in the world. You can hear different accents from all over the world, as students and research students chat in this lively bar. Both the café and bar are covered in murals and graphic art. The message is invariably bent towards global understanding, given the nature of this small college. The music is great as well, and there are newspapers and books on sale, so you can easily sit back and have a coffee and chill out for an afternoon. Anyone can enter, as long as they sign in at the main entrance. There are some great concerts here from time to time by singers from Africa and Asia.
