Scaffolding poles and exposed brickwork. Anglepoise lamps and spinning tea lights. Smooth R&B on the stereo and even smoother cocktails. A heady mix of a trendy bar’s constituent features. And yet this bar is in on the Wells Road in Totterdown, underneath a law firm and next door to a laundry.

So not the most promising of locations. But The Office, which opened at the end of last year, is a bar which this part of Bristol has long-needed.

The kitchen is not yet functioning, but is due to spring into action any day now. Until then, there are bar snacks of olives and marinated anchovies.

This is the kind of place where if your favourite cocktail isn’t on the menu, just ask nicely and it will be made.

The only drink on tap is Vedett lager from Belgium, but there are fridges full of bottles including from Bristol Beer Factory and Brooklyn Lager, Thatchers and Brothers cider, and an extensive wine list, many of which can be sampled by the glass or bottle.

Don’t be put off if you pass The Office and see the shutters down, as this new bar only opens at 5pm between Wednesday and Saturday.

You could be in a Soho backstreet but this is Totterdown and there is now a reason to go to The Office after leaving work.

The Office, 172 Wells Road, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2AL. 0117 329 0161.

Website: www.theofficecanteen.com
Twitter: @OfficeCanteen