Divey cocktail bars are my favorite sort of cocktail bar, and Happiness Forgets is an excellent divey cocktail bar. It's speakeasy-ish without being irritating -- you won't find passwords or pretentious service here -- and would be easily at home in the basement of a building in New York or San Francisco. There's a strong emphasis on great straight spirits beverages, although I believe the menu rotates pretty regularly to keep things interesting. The very friendly, extremely knowledgeable bartenders fix you drinks off a small but excellent drink list, and will happily go off-menu as well if nothing on the list suits you. And as a bonus, the back of the list has selected items you can order from the Thai place upstairs! (And if you ask nicely and like proper, boozy cocktails, ask for the "connoisseur's" menu that has some serious all-spirits drinks in addition to the already-strong regular list.) All in all, a great cocktail bar that I wish wasn't 5,500 miles away from me! read more

A recent expat from the libations metropolis of NYC, I've been searching for a good cocktail lounge that would live up to my cocktail fiend expectations (i.e. inebriation in the quickest yet delicious way possible) . When I read that the Happiness Forgets barkeep had ties to Pegu, a NYC favorite, my bloodhound senses sniffed its way to the Hoxton Square location and found what it was looking for- a basement offering an extensive list of drinks ranging from fruity and flirty to manly and musky. Get in my liver! If you're like me, and prefer drinks to be on the sweeter side, you'll love Sidecar and the Earl Grey Marteani (a drink I favored at Pegu). Sidecar is more tropical and comes with fruit decor, while the Marteani is sophisticated and smooth. Went here on a Friday night around 6:30 and was able to get a table for 5 easily but noticed that by 7:30, there was a queue of people being turned away. Drinks will be about £7-£10, but the romantic, dimly lit setting and the lovely cocktails make it all that much worth the price. read more

I will start with the one negative thing, because it is only one thing. You might not want to pick a very warm day/night to come here. It was like 20 degrees last night and rather stifling in the joint. Ok, with that out of the way, onto the good stuff! Confession: I LOVE "secret" bars, and I am not even a big drinker. This is one of the #1 reasons I love living in Hoxton/Shoreditch/Old Street area. Lots of secret/prohibition/boutique places. If you like Callooh Callay or The Nightjar, you'll like Happiness Forgets. Great service, great atmosphere (much less fancy than Nightjar, but still intimate and sultry) and a glass of cucumber water with your cocktail. As other reviewers have said, these are real drinks. Strong, but well thought out and delicious. Great date spot, and you can even order from a (limited) menu of Thai food from Yelo Thai next door, which is awesome since... well, I love Yelo as well: http://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/yelo-thai-london read more

Lovely spot for a cocktail, down an unassuming set of stairs on the west side of Hoxton Square. You see a lot of dates here, as the atmosphere is more intimate but still buzzy. Dim lighting, good but not extensive cocktail list (that can be a minus or a plus) and the drinks are ace. Yes they're expensive but you're paying for atmosphere and quality. I would recommend booking, or walking in in the early evening. The hosts are quite friendly and will tell you wait time and all that. Smaller parties will usually get seats faster. read more

This place had a lot of promise and I went there with a group of friends purely because of the good reviews. As we went down into the basement bar, we were greeted by really friendly bar staff who seated us straight away. The place has an awesome, intimate, cosy, vintage feel to it with a great array of songs playing in the background so, I had high hopes. And then we ordered the cocktails... The four of us ordered 8 cocktails, 6 of which were different, and only TWO of them were decent. As a cocktail lover, I know my cocktails and considering its location, bar staff who "looked" like they knew what they were doing and £9 cocktails, the cocktails were a flop. They really skimped out on the ingredients and even simple cocktails like a caipirinha and old fashioned were screwed up. So, if you're looking for an intimate, friendly place to cosy up to someone, this is great. If you're looking to actually enjoy a good, well-made cocktail, I would suggest going elsewhere... read more

Great little bar that's hidden down stairs in this H. square. Got lucky with a single spot at the bar it was pretty packed that night. With very little room to operate it created an intimate setting and very easy to talk to people even though there were playing some great music. The bartenders were very friendly and were definitely down to satisfy my whiskey need even though there were not many options on the menu; still many options just not whiskey based. They put on quite a show while making drinks and tended to know a lot of regulars. I really liked this establishment! It's a good watering hole for a date, to catch up with someone or sit down and posit life's questions with a stiff drink. I will certainly be back next time I'm in the area. read more

Possibly overhyped but still quite good. Most of their drinks are a derivative, you won't find a standard Tom Collins or Old Fashioned on the menu -- the drinks have names like "Tokyo Collins" and so on. Lengthy ingredient list for each cocktail. If you are a cocktail purist you may not love it, though they made a fine standard Negroni for me. Clearly a date spot, though they have some larger tables. Close quarters, packed, intimate. Moderately loud. read more

At long last, I finally made it to Happiness Forgets. I am going to play a little game of free association to describe my impression of it: Sexy, sultry, dark, (almost uncomfortably) warm, made my glasses fog up, candle-lit, cavernous grotto, Mumford & Sons-looking bartenders, helpful staff who are very good at rearranging seating when you know almost noone in London but happen to bump into them upon walking into this bar and end up having a larger party than you originally anticipated, a place to come when you are sober enough to actually enjoy the taste of alcohol because each drink is fresh, thoughtfully-prepared, and tasty. Free association over. (That probably wasn't how you're supposed to do it, oh well) Happiness Forgets proves that mixology is not a pseudo-scientific discipline that hipster bartenders like to use to make themselves feel important. It is an actual thing that makes complicated drinks (like the Jerezana cocktail that I had, which is made from manzanilla and amontillado sherries with sweet and dry vermouths, plus vanilla syrup and orange bitters) well-balanced and really damn delicious. Hey, mixologist who made my drink -- I forgive you for wearing dungarees because my cocktail was pretty much perfect. A little pricy, but perfect all the same. I'll be back. I would probably bring a date here if I had one. I will not wear glasses next time, so I can actually see what the space looks like. read more

I ADORE THIS PLACE! I just love the name honestly it's nice to have a glass of wine and say "yeah I'm having a glass at happiness forgets"

This place, not sure about all of the hype! It's a nice bar, lots of nice alcohols, but the cocktails weren't quite up to the classics. I ordered a Freemason. It was a sweeter take on a Martinez. However I think a Martinez was better, maybe just should have ordered that! Extra star for atmosphere, as its chilled and without blasting music. No cover charges for shaky entertainment (you know who you are) or over the top cocktails. £9 was the most expensive one. Probably one of the top cocktail bars in London, although I have to say I understand why there are classic cocktails- they are the ones that stick over time! read more

What an unforgetable name! I had heard about this bar quite some time ago, but never managed to test it out. Luckily I was in the area for drinks, and Yelp popped up with it's name, so we had to try it. Not an easy find: there are stairs on the outside that you have to walk down to get to the front door. At around 7pm there was soul music being played in the background of this dim setting. Friendly staff greeted us, showed us to our seats and were prompt in taking our order. One of the first things that surprised us was the few number of drinks with a basis of vodka -- i was already sold at this point. Our drinks were served with a side of cucumber flavored water. One of our friends had a specific request of bourbon '-- although they didn't have it, the bartender was right on point to suggest another, from the sounds of it even better, type of bourbon! The Perfect Storm -- it's just that. The first drink to catch my eye, a base of rum -- divine. My crappy description of it doesn't even do it justice, you just have to go tryit! To think we left Happiness Forgets to meet other friends for dinner, always in the area, and then convinced them to go back for another try! They are hooked too! Tokyo Collins -- what I believe to be a twist on the standard Tom Collins, with some sake. absolutely refreshing. Needless to say, we finished the night completely chuffed at our find of Happiness Forgets, and will probably turn into one of our regular cocktail bars :) read more

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place, but the best thing I can say is that they serve the best cocktails I have ever had in my entire life. No joke. Go there now. Don't ask questions. Just go. Whilst the basement bars in London are ubiquitous these days, this one tops them all (and trust me, I've frequented quite a few). The intimate atmosphere, the dark lighting, and the personal attention afforded by the bartenders all make this place a wonderful addition to Hoxton Square. (Although I feel a bit bad calling the bartenders by that name, as they are more like cocktail experts!) The thing that truly sets this bar apart from all the rest, however, is the cocktails. Did I mention that they were the best cocktails I've ever had, ever, in my ENTIRE LIFE? One in particular, a seasonal whiskey drink that was infused over five days with a smorgasbord of spices, tasted like autumn in my mouth. In addition, the cocktails are priced at an incredibly reasonable 8 quid per - considering the prices of drinks in other locations and the genuine quality of these cocktails, it's an absolute steal! So, once again, I will say it: If you're still reading, STOP! GO! Get on the tube or bus or start walking... better yet, start running. Just get there. Now. (...Or at least make a reservation.) read more

I couldn't believe how busy this place was on a Sunday, but I can understand why as the cocktails we had were excellent. Another in the long line of not where you'd expect them to be and probably down some stairs Hoxton/Shoreditch venues. Top quality drinks, highly recommended! read more

Happiness Forgets - The Secretary - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Happiness Forgets is a great little cocktail bar hidden away under Ruby In Hoxton Square. It's actually pretty hard to find, and despite walking past a few times I would have had no idea it was there were it not for Yelp. The bar is very small and dark, so you might be turned away if it's too busy. Jazz music plays throughout the bar, alongside the clink of people enjoying cocktails. Speaking of which, the cocktails are excellent, I had a Tokyo Collins (a mixture of Gin, Yuzu Sake, and soda) which was fantastic, and didn't take too long to arrive either. The cocktails are £9 each, which isn't cheap, but is about average in my experience. Overall It's a great little place and should definitely be checked out! read more

Friendly staff Tasty drinks Relaxed atmosphere read more

Deserves the accolades it gets. The drinks are fantastic, and I love the intimate feel of the place. When its busy the service can be a little slower than you'd like, but when not at capacity, the staff are helpful and a fun too. I like to be the awkward guy who asks for cocktail recommendations based on my tastes, but they played along and made me up something very tasty indeed. Not one for large groups, mind you. Take your favourite person and treat them. read more

Happiness remembers going down into this dark and cozy yet warm, intimate and lively bar (that has a NY vibe). Happiness remembers a twist on a G&T, an earl grey gin martini, and a honey sweetened version of a dark and stormy all each under 10 quid. Happiness remembers charming and attentive servers and good music. Happiness hopefully forgets the hangover..... read more

I read about this place in the Metro on my way into work on Wednesday morning. The owner said the place is 'for grown-ups'. Although I sometimes do not like to admit it, I'm a grown-up, and I thought it's about time I mingle with my own ilk. i made reservations for Wednesday night without hesitation. The place was super busy, but not a single person bumped me or made me spill the delicious foam from the top of my cocktail. I never had to queue for a drink or fight for the attention of a bartender. My cocktails were served with a smile. I like being a grown-up. read more

I am slowly coming to realisation that Shoreditch is just a place of bad service. I booked a table for a Friday night for 3 people. When arrived (on time) we were given a tiny table that could fit 2 people who are keen to cozy up to each other. Looking at a couple sitting opposite us which clearly had a table for 4 people I asked a waitress to change the tables explaining that in no way our table was designed to fit 3 people at a time. I hate being mean but after she told me that it is Friday night and our table can normally fit 4 people (on top of one another?!) - I insisted. With a sour face she went to the couple and asked them to swap tables. Cocktails were... standard. Nothing really stood out. Another thing - the place really seemed to attract couples on a date. If you're after that sort of thing - by all means go. The place can be seen as nice & cosy if I wasn't that annoyed at poor service at the beginning I would probably appreciate that more. Kudos to one of the waiters who actually realised we were there and was very nice & friendly and prompt in bringing our orders. read more

Breathtaking cocktails. Geoff, the chief of mixology, really runs a quality bar here. I was soured after showing up all the way from San Francisco and being turned away because drinking requires a seat. The next day I called to figure out what the deal is, and they set me right up with a seat. I got held up at work, and didn't get there until two hours after my reserved stool, but was seated right away and greeted by name! Geoff attended to me himself, and lucky for us both we share taste in cocktails. If you are a whisky and tequila fan, ask for a "Gastown" -- one of his signatures. It's phenomenal. In a word, this place is *delightful* for a drink on your own or with a friend. I can imagine coordinating seats for a group of more than two would be a bit of a bear though. Remember to tip well -- these guys really earn their keep, and deserve to be shown appreciation for it. read more

I have to say, I've been here a few times and have enjoyed it thoroughly each time. They hit the mark on everything that makes a cocktail bar great: Dimly lit Basement? Check. Reasonable Prices? Check. Good music, that's just loud enough to enjoy but doesn't overpower conversation? Check. Friendly, knowledgeable staff? Check. Fairly adventurous, but concise menu? Check. Perfect for a nice night out with friends? Check. Nice decor that's not garish? Check. I have to say, my favourite part of Happiness Forgets is the quality of the drinks off menu. They can make anything, and they make it really well. I don't know that I remember everything I ordered (this was a few drinks in), but the Vieux Carré and Old Fashioned (with Rye) were top notch. Make sure to get here early or make a reservation a few days in advance - it fills up quickly later on in the week. This place is perfect for a little early-week adventure. read more

Ah, perfect place to go when you've had a long week, and need a beautifully crafted drink with really NICE bartenders and employees. I liked the chill vibe, old school music - Alberta Hunter, anyone?!- and the dim lighting to help me come down from the week. I've gotta say, I'm an Old Fashioned snob - I think the mark of a great bartender/drink spot is a perfect Old Fashioned, and Happiness Forgets DEFINITELY passed the test. My old fashioned was perfectly balanced and was accompanied by a giant ice cube that took up residence in the middle of the tumbler-- LOVE! Happiness might forget, but, I need to remember this spot for sure. #bookmarking read more

Yelp slightly let us down this bank holiday Monday. Having been to the Sky Garden we wanted to head East and try two cocktail bars I've been itching to visit for eons-Callooh Callay and Nola in Shorditch. Both were shown as "open" on the Yelp app but when we got a taxi there, it was clear that Callooh was firmly closed. As to Nola-I think that was closed but despite standing on the very spot where Gmaps and the yelp App told me that place was we couldn't find it-if anyone knows whether Nola exists do let me know! Anyway, I then used "nearby" on Yelp and it came up trumps with Happiness Forgets. It was a short walk from Rivington Street to Hoxton Sq. Alex S had reviewed the place and told us it was underneath Ruby's cafe. Honestly, I would never have known where it was without that. We entered and I noticed something immediately- it is DARK. I don't mean the lighting is subdued-no, think the very core of a black hole in space-that sort of dark. I almost burned up the cocktail list by holding a tea light too close to it! That's not a complaint though and I bookmarked the place mentally as the number one venue for a blind date-I need all the lack of lighting I can get. The place is quite small, with a bar on one side and a few tables and chairs (mismatched) around. Music plays discreetly and is quite interesting to listen to-sort of fusion jazz. Now to the cocktails-they didn't disappoint. The list is small and there are no standard Mojitos and what not here. Each cocktail is a carefully constructed unique mix (or so it seemed to me). I love old fashioned's so I chose a "smith & wesson" which came with single malt and lots of other things (see photo), some of which I hadn't heard of. it was wonderful-smoky, sour and sweet all at the same time. Someone else had a Tokyo Collins- a long drink with aged sake and fresh grapefruit juice-really tart and refreshing. Another had one that I can't recall the name of but is easily spotted as it has ginger as an ingredient. It was described by the waitress as "quite spicy" . I had a taste and it blew me away-it was indeed gingery but not so it overwhelmed the other things. All the cocktails seem to include "top shelf" ingredients which is good. They come in at £9 a pop which is not cheap but about median for cocktails. To me they were some of the best I've had. read more

Happiness Forgets - Yum! A Smith & Wesson - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

This place made me very, very happy. So happy that my boyfriend and I decided to forgo dinner and drink our meal instead. As it happened, we were lucky to sit at the bar where a certain barman had his station. He was highly skilled in both drinks and service. As 1st timers, we were made to feel like regulars and the cocktails we had, both on and off the menu were top notch. As the evening progressed, we learned this little Hoxton bar was just voted best bar in Europe. It makes sense. If I lived in London, I would spend an embarrassingly large amount of time here. Interestingly, even on their days off, the staff come back to hang out. The next night, we returned and our bartender was in front of the bar. We didn't see him, but he bought us a round of drinks and gave us recommendations for our trip to Edinburgh. Amazing. read more

Happiness Forgets is a handy little cocktail bar should you be in the area. The top end of the price spectrum you expect a lot and in many ways it delivers. The cocktails are tasty and well presented and just the right end of 'strong'. The bar staff are generally well mannered and though our waitress was a little inhospitable, we were all waved goodbye by the bar staff on our way out. Though I'd favour Calloo Callalay over HF, I'd happily come back! read more

Happiness Forgets - Cocktails - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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Wouldn't have been able to find this tucked-away little bar if it weren't for Yelp! They play chill music and they have a great cocktail menu. If you sit down at one of the tables, they give you a glass of water and keep refilling it so that you can truly enjoy your drink without chugging it because you're thirsty from all the great conversation you're probably having. My favorite drink was Tokyo Collins - so lemony and delicious! read more

Eccentric is the word I will use to describe this bar. What an atmosphere! As soon you open the door you can feel yourself in an exceptional setting. The price of drinks is reasonable enough. I stayed for an hour last weekend and I loved it. read more

Okay, so being very subjective and forgetting the rude experience I had there a couple of month ago. Here's my review of the bar that won Euro cocktail bar of the year 2013. Ambience 3/5 It's a pretty dark corner of hoxton sq located in a basement beneath another establishment. On entry, you see a very small space with a very dark atmosphere. The bar is well stocked and there are PLENTY of chairs around the bar. But all in all, I wouldn't say this left me with any particular strong feelings of atmosphere or comfort that you'd find at the likes of Nightjar or M&H. Drama 3/5 Well this is no Nightjar or even to an extend ECC. The lack of vibrancy, muted atmosphere really lessens the drama or occasion. Sufficiently well mannered this time, it just doesn't have a personality that screams happiness. In fact, I really forgot about happiness when all done and dusted. Menu, Drinks 3/5 So I'm one of these guys who just doesn't like a fruity cocktail. I think it's playing to the sweet fruity palate of the less experienced. The balance was fine and standards are on par with other establishments. However, there were no signature flavours that really left me with a sense of surprise. I'd say Nightjar, M&H and even the ECC are better at establishing a sense of identity and personality through their drinks. Total score 9/15 So okay but not great. Drinks are fine, atmosphere is typical for the area, and most likely designed to meet the cultural expectations of the locals. A bit rough but mixed with some alternative romanticism from an age gone by. Worth checking out for the experience and ticking it off the list but not a regular destination for my needs as a drinker. read more

Definitely worth a visit. We got there early and without delay we had a few great cocktails on the table. Like true professionals, they kept us well soaked, even with cocktails that werent on the menu. Seek it out, and you wont be disappointed. read more

Well priced and well made cocktails, with a wide selection of food from adjoined restaurants. The bet place to be on a Monday night during the world cup, when everyone is cheering on their team elsewhere! I couldn't fault any of the classic cocktails I ordered and the food from Yelo, was as expected. Not much has changed there! Definitely recommended. Great choice of cocktails and great value for money. read more

Great lite spot under the stairs. Bar tenders were great, attentive, and excellent drinks. Atmosphere was warm, music just loud enough, people inside were having a good time. The bar manager makes sure there's a seat for you - nice! No over crowding or pushing. There was great flow though so it was never empty nor were there long waits to get a seat. Highly recommend! read more

Happiness Forgets - The menu cover was quite clever. We were impressed by the drinks too :-) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

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My friend and I studied abroad in London a couple years ago, and we decided to visit for a couple weeks to relive our glory days. Back in the day, we occasionally partook of the nightlife at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen. I, by no means, think this is a good bar, but we had some great times there; well, we always left with a story. When I happened to see an article mentioning Happiness Forgets, I thought, "Oh, man! This is right next door! We can head here beforehand for a couple good drinks!" How wrong was I! Once we poked our heads into Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, we came scurrying right back to Happiness Forgets. The biggest mistake I made in planning this trip was not going to Happiness Forgets every night we were in London, and now I will eternally troll airfare prices in the hopes of coming back here. My ghost's unfinished business will have been not drinking here more. It's a cozy atmosphere that feels a bit like stepping back in time. The bartenders (Alastair, Geoff, and Johan) were friendly, down-to-earth, and very knowledgeable. Most importantly, they make a GREAT cocktail. I'd like to emphasize the 'great' in that sentence a little more. We went off-menu, and Geoff made me a drink with mezcal, fernet, maple syrup, and a number of other fabulous things. I would post the name so that everyone could order it, but his handwriting is a little less stellar than his drinks (sorry!). My travel companion is very picky and mostly sticks to red wine; I have been spoiled by many nights at Drink in Boston (now only my second favorite bar); but neither of us had a single drink that we didn't love. read more

The cocktails here are fantastic. I went a few times last year and then I visited it again yesterday. Gareth Evans was a guest bartender from the Blind Pig and was offering a guest menu so naturally my boyfriend and I sampled almost all of it. All the ingredients on the menu were imaginative and thoughtful, sounding incredibly appetising and with appealling names. My boyfriend's first cocktail was my favourite - it tasted like a masculine orange wearing brogues and came in a whiskylike glass. I really enjoyed the huge single ice cube that took up almost the whole glass together with a long fat shaving of orange peel. The vibe is good too; love how dark it is and the broken up shelves housing the booze, while the dim oriental red lights are very atmospheric. The one thing I would say is that the cube shaped seats by the door are totally horrendous and reminded me of a sixth form common room. I sat in these on my first visit which might be why I didn't immediately warm to this place. read more

The ambiance is fantastic, great lighting, and they played cool background music. It is truly a perfect way to end the evening.It is also a perfect spot to meeting up with old friends and for a date. read more

This bar has the speakeasy vibe to it. I dig that the location is hidden (downstairs under a non-descript) building. I ordered the Jerezana (sherry based) and the Perfect Storm (rum based). I thought the drinks were just OK for the high price tag, a bit on the sweeter side and not that strong. I like this place more for the ambience, but wouldn't recommend coming here just for the drinks. read more

Sexiest bar I've ever been to. The drinks were spectacular (French Daisy was out of this world), the service was 100% on key. Menus appeared mysteriously just as we finished our drinks and disappeared just as quietly. All in all, I fell a little bit in love with this place. Outstanding. read more

It's taken me a long time to write this review, because it took months for the stench of liquor (what I smelled like the morning after) to leave my memory. It is pretty much the best cocktail bar I've been to in London and, dear strangers, we did the whole Hoxton/Shoreditch/hipster cocktail thing a LOT. Small, a little grungy, very funny, wildly romantic, heavy beards, suspenders in tow. If you can stomach this modern day alternative stereotype, the drinks will blow you away (and blow a hole in your wallet...but it's worth it). We sat at the bar for a good 2 hours. Time flew and the atmosphere was downright convivial. It was about conversation and not about pick-up lines. It's definitely a bar to go with people you know. Definitely check it out the next time you're in London. It might be a struggle to stumble past the skinny-jean'ed out boys and barely-dressed goth girls, but the potions will knock your socks off. And now, months later, Happiness certainly DOES NOT forget. read more

Happiness Forgets - Coolest cocktails in London - Cocktail Bars Near Me - London, XGL

Love it here. Great cocktails to be had and great conversation from the bartenders. Proper mixologists. Venture off the menu!

My favourite bar in London. A tiny candlelit space hidden under Hoxton Square, intimate and buzzy. The drinks are fantastic - a lot of whisky based ones to knock you off your stool - and the barman are so friendly and knowledgable and interesting. Great date place. read more

A speakeasy. In London. In a town I have never heard of. Requires reservations? I certainly was intrigued, but didn't know what to expect. Still mesmerized from my recent viewing of the new "Great Gatsby" film, I wondered if there would be period costumes; suspendered, mustachioed, and be-specked bartenders; and waitresses wearing cherry red lips, long strands of pearls, and feathers in their hair. I was certainly close, but in a wonderful and slightly more subtle way (yes to the suspenders and mustaches, yes to the red lips, but that was as far as it went). A friend and fellow traveler of mine had heard good things about the bar, so about a week before we were going to be in London, I shot an e-mail to the address I found on the mysteriously ambiguous website. They confirmed our reservation for 3 on a Saturday night at 8pm. We were staying in the Bloomsbury area (near the British Museum) and since we were running late, we took a cab. It was about a 10-12 minute cab ride. We ended up meeting two local friends and they were able to get a 7:30pm reservation and wait for us. First, being unfamiliar with the area and London in general, Happiness Forgets was a little difficult to find. Eventually, we just walked around the loop of Hoxton Square until we found a restaurant with the basement. It really cannot be found easily from the street because the sign is above the basement staircase. Across from the bar is a small park where scores of hipster-looking (yes, they have them in London, too) twenty somethings were enjoying a pint on the grass. It was a bit of a surprise to me, being used to New York's open container laws. It looked like a fun, laid back area. Now, back to Happiness Forgets. As other reviewers have stated, the place is tiny! We saw many people turned away when they came with groups bigger than two or three due to a lack of space. Don't get me wrong, though, there is absolutely no lack of atmosphere or fun inside. We lingered for 3 or so hours and were never rushed and I never felt like they wanted to swap us out for others, despite the fact that we had to reserve our time slot. The clientele was largely mid twenties and larger groups (despite the small space). The bar takes up most of the room, but there are two tables for four near the door, a large table for about 8, and then a row of several smaller tables along the back wall (I'd say it can fit about 25 or 30 people at max). The interior is filled with dark colors, leather, and candles. Definitely a cool vibe. We were seated at a table for four (our friends were already there and they did not ask us for our reservation when we arrived) . I was placed on a low, stool like chair (i.e. - no back). It became uncomfortable after a while, but there was not many seating options, so I was glad I had a chair at all. There is only one ladies' bathroom. I understand the desire for ambiance, but it was lit only by candle light. It wasn't too dark, but I don't think candles only is the best choice for a restroom. Our waitress was very sweet and helped me pick out a drink by having me describe the kinds of cocktails I like. I told her light, fresh, mojito, sweet and she offered me an off menu drink -- a ginger mule (mint, lime, ginger beer, and, I believe, gin). It was delicious -- slightly sweet, tingly and spicy from the ginger beer [which we do not have in the US] and super refreshing. However, at 8.50 pounds (that's 13 USD), it was quite pricy. I expected this though and just pretended that it was $8.50 and pushed on. For a second drink, our waitress recommended a drink made with a vanilla liquor and with an orange peel in it (I am sorry I cannot recall the name!). It was awful. A friend and I both ordered it and it really tasted like cough syrup and was just very artificial. However, when we told our waitress that we did not like it, she was very apologetic and took them off of our bill. I was very pleased with this because I was bummed at the thought of spending so much on a cocktail I did not enjoy. I sampled several other drinks that my friends ordered and found most of them to be pretty good (although the ginger mule, in my opinion, was definitely the best). Despite the expense, I would definitely come back. I enjoyed that it was not a tourist bar and was a fun break from the pubs and crowds of some of the other areas we had explored. We had a really nice time and good conversation! Now if only I didn't live across the Atlantic! read more