With its quasi-Moroccan stylings, Coco V is exotically mysterious.

The Venue
Opened two years ago Coco V was given its name by the girlfriend of the young manager, although even he can’t remember what it means. It doesn’t make any difference to the bar itself, which is a cool and appealing joint. It’s been designed with a vaguely Moroccan theme with high metal stools with wooden tops and bejewelled fabric lampshades. It’s quite spacious with a zoned off and snug area.

The walls are orange, a wave of dark blue tiling crashes across the bar and banquettes are bedecked with scarlet cushions and backed with silky dark pink damask. And finally — trumpets blaring — we have a decent, nay, attractive carpet with turquoise ripple-effect pattern. Elsewhere there are chandeliers, a leather-framed mirror and clever semi-transparent drapes hanging from the ceiling which break up the space.

The People
Coco V pulls in the office crowd from 5pm to 7pm and pre-clubbing younger folk digging the house DJs at the weekend. It’s also great for small groups, or an intimate party for two, in the semi-private alcove areas.

The Food and Drink
Beck’s, Foster’s, Woodpecker, Kronenbourg and John Smith’s are all on tap and Tracker, Peroni, Bulmers, Magner’s, Sabai and Budweiser are in bottles. There are around 20 or so cocktails and they cost around £4.95 with Champagne cocktails priced at £5.95. A Kiss Me Baby is peach schnapps, Midori, orange juice and cranberry and is £5.95.

For food you’ve got jacket potatoes (with chilli con carne for £3.45), sandwiches (a ham and cheese is £2.75) and salads (a chicken Caesar is £4.45). Mains include the quintessential north-east comfort grub of mince and dumplings for £3.50, as well as sausage, mash and peas for £3.50.

The Last Word
There’s something very engaging about Coco V and it’s certainly worth a punt — or a pint.

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