IF Bar ILFORD

IF BAR is a brave new restaurant and bar set to transform Ilford forever. Following a £3.5m investment to a former Lloyds No 1 bar, it combines an eatery featuring Italian fusion cuisine, two bars complete with a wondrous VIP room and spectacular 1000sqm idyllic garden and terrace.

The restaurant offers a casual yet memorable dining experience, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Head Chef Tarik Hussein, who is famed for his time at The Ivy, The Groucho Club and more recently a three year stint with Gary Rhodes, brings his culinary flair to if to please even the most picky of palettes.

The venue has been kitted out with a state of the art sound and light system costing over £300k to cater for live acts, PAs, DJs and VJs. The sumptuous interior plays host to a lounge bar during the day, fully equipped with Wi-Fi for those wishing to do business or simply be home from home. The Bat Cave is indeed one of the highlights, and this astonishing luxuriant VIP room has to be seen to be believed - with opulent velvet booths and VIP Bar.

Kitted out in slouchy leather sofas, atmospheric down-lighting and polished wood, it’s distinguished from the ranks of other venues by the truly magnificent 1000sqm garden where you can practice your putting, play giant chess or dine al fresco in one of our heated safari huts.

IF BAR promises variety throughout the week with a program of entertainment to suit all tastes including comedy and cabaret, live bands and PAs, and club nights featuring Fierce Angel, The Freemasons, Kiss 100's Steve Smart, 7" night Size Doesn't Matter, and Gatecrasher's Ronnie Joice.

Take note, IF BAR is not the usual Essex venue and all preconceptions should be put to one side until you experience this unique and swanky playground.

IF BAR is just 4 miles east of Shoreditch, and certainly worth seeking out.