Flares is a good-time, let-your-hair-down 70s bar which has no pretensions to be anything else.

The Venue
Flares is dedicated to the decade that style forgot but, for some reason, everyone else wants us to remember. It even has an illuminated checked dancefloor which changes colour in pure, unadulterated Saturday Night Fever stylee. Otherwise it’s done out in the colours that have come to define the decade: oranges, browns and yellows.

Just in case you've been dragged here on some random after work drink that's gone too far there are sparkly party cowboy hats and pink wigs behind the bar which you can buy for a couple of quid. There's no reason not to get into the spirit of things here. To complete the disco-tastic effect there are glitter balls, flashing lights and mirrored pillars which all conspire to disorientate you after one too many Bacardi Breezers.

The music will bring you to your senses though with disco anthems from The Bee Gees, Yvonne Elliman, Barry White and Abba. It’s open till 2am every night and 2.30am on a Saturday, but it’s closed for hangovers all day Monday.

The People
Flares is a party destination where you are free, nay encouraged, to freak-out and sing 'We Are Family' while clutching a cheap cocktail. It's particularly popular with office staff who come here after work for a knees-up. At the weekend stag and hen nights clog up the dancefloor in all their afro wig wearing splendour as do groups of girls on a kitsch, devil-may-care night out. Expect to queue with very bad John Travolta wannabees on Saturdays.

The Drink
Carling, Worthington’s, Strongbow and Stella are all on tap and you’ve got Budweiser, Beck’s and San Miguel in bottles, plus the full array of alcopops. Cocktails are £3.50 a glass and it’s £1.25 for a shot of Corky’s. A double spirit and mixer is just £2.99.

The Last Word
For a bit of throwaway fun and to hear some of those great disco dance classics again, Flares is always in.