Coveting Soho House vibes in Essex? Check out Church Street Tavern in Colchester. Housed in a handsome, historic townhouse (formerly a bank built in 1852) and set back from the main shopping drag, this ground-floor bar and upscale top-floor bistro delivers some seriously chic interiors inspo, plus a cool cocktails menu to boot.

Think relaxed, sunken sofa areas, complimentary Scrabble boards, indie-label pale ales, premium regional plonk and swoon-worthy local artworks you’ll be Googling where to buy afterwards. 

Quality bar food comes as standard here, and while Church Street Tavern’s casual menu doesn’t serve up any huge surprises, chefs do delight in giving classics a modern spin. Cue Cheddar and onion marmalade sandwich with fries; sticky pork ribs, Louisiana Hot BBQ Sauce, spicy slaw and sweetcorn; and a cured meat and cheese platter (for two) with pickles and focaccia. This is comfort food, done right. 

But where this venue really excels is those days when a late lunch/quick drink after work spills into a setting-the-world-to-rights evening affair. With its vast gin collection, vintage-style bar, trendy soundtrack and acres of marble, there’s nowhere better to pull up a wingback chair and while the night away.