“Needless to say, we banged that night; alcohol-free, on a second date,” was my friend’s take on Troy Bar, which delivers live soul, jazz and funk and homemade Caribbean food in an intimate and locally beloved bar on Hoxton Street. That said, it’s not really a dry date place — on the contrary, the alcohol-free list is almost solely limited to ginger beer; drinkers are far better served. But what it lacks in options it makes up for in vibrant, good-value food: jerk chicken, steamed fish, curry goat and sweet plantain . Then there are those (quite literally, as it turns out) banging vibes. Tuesday date people will be served an open mic session, while those willing to commit to a Friday will be rewarded with legendary jazz-funk jam sessions, to which regulars often rock up with their own instruments to join the talented, welcoming band.
