Mau Mau Bar

The Mau Mau is a Portobello institution and famous for its music connection with live performances most nights. Everyone seems to know one another, most regulars are local musicians.
It’s relatively small which is part of its charme. There are a few tables near the stage towards the back of the bar — with gents and ladies on either side of the stage. Or if you’re lucky you may get a stool at the bar as you arrive. There’s always a crowd of smokers hanging out on Portobello.

Walking in the man at the door asked for «beans» or two quid! I was like What! Then he explained it was a charity night for the soup kitchens in the area.
So fair enough we gave our donations of bean cans and my friend for some reason bought a fruit cocktail can!
We were there on a Sunday night, there was a live band that played reggae. They were pretty good.
The crowd was very laid back and friendly, which I liked very much.
All in all we had lots of fun dancing and talking to people, and at some points people watching :)

Wow, just saw this old review and need to update. I visited Mau Mau a second two times, both during the day, and the last experience was so shockingly awful that I must warn others to stay away. This happened a couple of months ago, and I am still reeling from the memory…
I bought a big box of delicious slop from The Grain Shop down the road and took it to Mau Mau to eat as I had done twice previously. It was empty save for two staff, sitting near the end of the bar. I put my stuff down at a table and stood there waiting to be acknowledged by someone — no such luck. They were deep in conversation and I decided it was better to wait and start eating before my food cooled. Surely one of them would greet me soon and take my order?
Nope. I sat there eating, waiting for them to stop talking, waiting for them to notice me and take my order. Instead they commenced arguing, shouting at each other about some kind of dispute over one of them giving away free drinks. Apparantly the other guy was the owner of Mau Mau, and business is not good, so this loss of income was particularly problematic. Well, that’s a shame and I feel for the guy, but ignoring a customer and unprofessionally carrying on an argument with one of your employees in front of her is no way to improve business.
It may well be the most awkward experience of my life, sitting there alone and silent, unable to leave until I’d finished my food, while the argument raged on right by me.
Never again, Mau Mau. Never again.

Having read the practically glowing reviews of Mau Mau on Unilocal,I gave it a go on a Portobello pub crawl. Also, who can resist the thought of a pool table to start the night?
When we walked in, Christina Aguilera blaring, not a soul, or pool table in sight. We down our beer, and headed back up the door.
Perfectly nice, but the party certainly wasn’t there at 9 o’clock on a Saturday night.

Mau Mau is your typical Portobello bar — small, intimate, great character.
Most people I know go there because it’s the last place that reminds them of the old Grove days.
It’s normally open from 12.00 till 23.00 or 00.00 on weekend nights. They don’t serve any food but clients are allowed to bring their own food and most Grain Shop customers come here to enjoy their food.
Prices are reasonable (£3.00 bottle of beer) and there is an endless list of cocktails. Staff might seem out of the ordinary but they are really nice people.
Thursday is jazz night, Friday — Saturday is live band and Sunday is mc’s/jam sessions. The entry prices rage between £2-£5.
They accept only cash so I recommend bring cash with you because the cash machines (ATMs) in Portobello have a reputation of being constantly «sick», out of money or just endless queues.
It’s a great place to enjoy a drink during the day and do some people watching and party at night but remember to keep your belongings close.

Walkin around one Sunday in the area and my friend is craving a pint.
Very chill place, semi outdoor seating for a cheeky fag.
Friendly bartender, reggae music thumpin in the background.
So, good relaxed Sunday drinks are to be found here. Not sure about other days though. Or even nights for that matter.

First Sunday Fun Day/​Live Music Search:
This was not the intended location two Sundays ago. I had looked up a pub on the corner of All Saints Rd but alas, it was closed. It was a long journey and at this point I wandered east in search of the nearest beer tap.
I came to this lovely (but narrow) venue after following my ears from around the corner.
I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd — all styles of people! Male bartender a little more «with it» than the female one working that night. I ordered a bottled Budweiser to start as a price gauge (it’s usually one of the cheapest beers: £2.50). Then I ordered a cheap draft — came in a plastic cup… Not a problem for me, but I wasn’t expecting it. Then got a fancy cider (surprisingly, a guy’s idea) for £5 — pretty standard.
Loved the first band — more Funk and really good vibes/​crowd connection! Second one, not so much (more raggae and seemed like they were performing together for the second time). I was in a Funk/​Soul mood that night.
Place closed at 11 (kicked out before 12) but it was a Sunday after all.
Not abrasive when telling patrons they were closing — BIG plus.
Get there around 930 to see the whole set of the first band (not sure if they’re there every week).
I will definitely be returning, even if I have to get a late train home! x

This is a top of the line bar. It is made cool by the eclectic music, the even more varied people dancing there, and the fairly cheap drinks. I cannot comment on what they serve beyond beer, other than to say you’re gonna get a drink, and it will be quite reasonable for London. Don’t go to mau mau expecting frills. Go expecting a great night. I went to a samba night, which included a live Samba band and me and my date dancing wildly enough to be afforded some room on the tiny dancefoor. A word to the wise: there is a reserved couch. If you see a couch up on a pedestal after the bar ends, its not for you, unless you have played here before, in which case it probably is. The dreadlock gentleman behind the bar is always there according to reports I’ve heard, and is possibly the manager, but don’t quote me on that. Essentially think Notting Hill Arts Club, but even less formal. As I said space is limited, but funk is not, so expect a large crowd moving in and out of the bar on a warmer night to smoke or chat. This is my sort of place, definitely, and if you’re into a good atmosphere, it may be your kind of place too. Peace.

A friend and I tried this place our first Saturday night in London (both new expats here). The music was amazing and the crowd was so varied you couldn’t define it by a type. The club is small, and the night ended too early, but that made it more valuable. And the musicians — singers and players — were just people with one thing in common, their love of music and desire to share it. We got there early enough to climb up on and settle into the vinyl love seat on a dining table. Best seat in the house.
The second time we went by was less incredible. May have been an off night. Still, it’s a great hole to fall into on a Saturday night.

This is a tiny little bar where I go if I am in Portobello area, recommened to me by my dad’s crazy friend on the premise that it is one of the only bars in the area that still retains its own little sense of character. And he is right! this place is really cool, it is a shame it is small. Although I do reckon the intimacy would be lost if it is any bigger, it is just hard to squeeze in there sometimes on a busy night. If you can, get on the big, squasy leather arm chairs– very comfy.
They serve amazing cocktails including one called ‘you mum’. Am planning to try that next. Suits the slightly er. bohemian vibe.
Drinks are not too badly priced, but it is not the sort of place where you would be buying too many, just one or too to have a nice chat with mates before you hit the town for bigger and glitzier places. Mau Mau is just chilled out with live music every now and then and all sorts of other events. Just go there and check out what is going on!

Mau Mau is a gem of a bar on Portobello Road that lacks the pretentiousness of neighbouring bars (you know who you are!) I love the open MIC sessions and live bands. However the narrow bar gets very busy making it sometimes impossible to get a drink. There is a good mix of locals hanging out with Notting Hill virgins eager to experience the buzz of the bar. I just wish Mau Mau had a later licence! During the day take a break from shopping and pop in for a drink or have one of the delicious ice creams-​yum!