This whole place smacks of the South Pacific, with tikis, bamboo decor and rum-based cocktails giving it a kitsch, tropical flavour.
You may be a little surprised to find this jungle-themed hideaway tucked in a dark municipal block, but hey, that's where Hula Bula sits.
Step inside and you'll discover a place jam-packed with tiki-style artefacts, tropical paraphernalia and tribal bits and pieces. Wander around and you'll probably even spot a display cabinet filled with swords and what looks like shrunken heads. Then there are the palm fronds, the bamboo walls and the wild animal prints. The whole setting smacks of the South Pacific. Hula Bula pays tribute to everything that's tropical, vintage and kitsch. It's an unpretentious place with a 'come one, come all' kinda attitude.
As far as jungle juice is concerned, the cocktail list is broad and filled with South Pacific classics, which were originally created by cocktail kings from the '50s and '60s (we're talking about mixologists such as the late Donn Beach and Victor Bergeron). Order up a mai tai or one of the other rum-based concoctions. Alternatively, check out the tequila offerings (sure, tequila's not exactly tropical - but maybe you could put it down to pirates?).
The staff wear leopard prints and DJs play vintage tracks from the '50s and '60s.
Sink into a small, secret booth or tread the bamboo corridor, which leads you into a small backyard, where more bar-goers prowl and preen. This place is worth checking out, if only for the jungle juice, the wild decor and cosy ambience.
Cerise Halloway & Anjela Bignell
