Londoners Magazine

Orange 70s print trailers aren’t just for Glastonbury, finds Lydia Mossahebi.

Step down from trendy Portobello Road into the basement of number 177, and you will find Trailer Happiness.

Decked out like a 1970s American trailer, the bar is a kitsch, tongue-in-cheek homage to cheesy living, complete with orange, brown and yellow print curtains.

The low ceiling gives it an authentic feel, while the long white leather sofas have a touch of swinging bachelor pad.

The bar serves a selection of Tiki, Rum and Caribbean cocktails, strictly following traditional recipes that made them so popular in post-war America. There’s also table service, although the bar is almost within touching distance, and staff will sit down next to you to take your order.

Conveniently, the menu illustrates what type of glass your drink will be served in, so you don’t feel short-changed. Particularly impressive is the Colada Nueva(£14 for two), served in a Blue Peter style miniature volcano (not papier-mâché, but close), with the mango and rum based drink forming a moat around the mountain.

A waiter will bring the cocktail to your table, and set it on fire, creating flickering flames rising up from your volcano. Other drinks, such as the Zombie (£12), are limited to only two per person, per night, because of the high alcoholic content: five different rums and absinthe, no less.

By the time you’ve had two, you’ll be wrecked anyway. So, good luck with that.

The bar also has “TV Dinners” on offer (£5-6 for 1-2 people), Uncle Leroy’s Lamb & Lemon Racks or Dr Jay’s Green Chilli Fireballs served on a tray with separate compartment for your skinny fries; the menu also has nibbles to share.

Trailer Happiness has a great atmosphere and doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s perfect for a few cocktails with friends, isn’t too loud and is fun to while away a few hours in a seedy trailer.

Trailer Happiness
177 Portobello Road
W11
020 7727 2700
www.trailerh.com