BijouX

Bijoux by name bijoux by nature, this small latest addition to the diamond strip has found its niche.

The Venue
The latest arrival on the diamond strip, Bijoux threw open its doors to the public only recently. It certainly lives up to its name and is a petite boudoir-style bar with gold twisted-stemmed lampshades and crescent-shaped banquettes strewn with shot-silk pink cushions. Elsewhere you can sit on geometrically patterned, tall chairs or the squat, black and white padded stools.

The floor is shiny and wooden and there are wooden window shutters. There are surfboard-shaped tables, psychedelic patterned orange panelling behind the bar and mini chandeliers with hundreds of beads dripping down. A big gold-framed mirror is propped up against the wall at the back where there's an elevated platform framed by a black curtain. Plants are liberally strewn around the place as well as exposed brickwork, brass fittings and little lamps.

The People
It's a little early to say who will gravitate here, but they seem to be aiming for a student crowd in the week and a more general, well-behaved young professional clientele at the weekends.

The Food and Drink
You’ve got Grolsch, Worthington's and Carling on tap and a decent range of bottled beers including Sol, Peroni, Becks, Kronenbourg, Modelo, Magners, Asahi and Cobra. The wine list includes seven whites, seven red and four roses. Prices range from to £11 to £29 a bottle. House wine is £10.95 and a Chilean Echeverria Curico Valley unoaked (hurrah) Chardonnay, with its pear and apple undertones, costs £14.50.

There are around 30 cocktails costing £5.95 to £6.95, including blends such as one night only which is Grey Goose L'Orange shaken with raspberry puree, fresh lemon and cranberry juice and strained over an ice-filled glass. There’s no food — and strictly no alcopops.

The Last Word
It's pretty and dainty and Bijoux already has a few admirers.