Lizzie’s contrives to be more than the sum of its parts, which are little more than two shipping containers, plus some some plastic tables and chairs beneath corrugated iron awnings. Inside one of the containers the manager sits surrounded by a dizzying selection of spirits, while fridges packed with Club, Star, Gulder and Guinness sit just outside, their hum only audible when the overdriven speakers go quiet.
What lifts Lizzie’s above similar ‘spots’ all over town is its handy location – not only at a busy junction and taxi rank on the south end of Oxford Street, but also opposite Papaye, whose chicken is as famous for its wait times as its flavour. Established practice is to get your order in then cross over to Lizzie’s and kick back with a beer for 45 minutes (or more).
Even if you aren’t waiting for chicken, it’s a good spot for watching the world go by, especially on a quieter weekday evening. Taxi drivers argue amongst themselves and haggle with customers, street traders watch over glowing, kebab-stacked grills, fellow drinkers talk politics over bottles of supercharged Guinness – it is brewed to a terrifying 7.5% in West Africa – and well-heeled young folks trickle past towards trendier bars further up the street. Despite the roughshod look, it’s table service only, so grab a seat and wait for one of the black-aproned waitresses to notice you.
Things are less peaceful on Friday and Saturday nights, when acrobats and musicians descend on the bar to entertain a larger weekend crowd. There are some remarkable street acrobats in the city – you can catch some of them at La Pleasure Beach on weekends too – so this small de facto street party is worth a look.
Expert Review
Lizzie’s contrives to be more than the sum of its parts, which are little more than two shipping containers, plus...
Lizzie’s contrives to be more than the sum of its parts, which are little more than two shipping containers, plus some some plastic tables and chairs beneath corrugated iron awnings. Inside one of the containers the manager sits surrounded by a dizzying selection of spirits, while fridges packed with Club, Star, Gulder and Guinness sit just outside, their hum only audible when the overdriven speakers go quiet.
What lifts Lizzie’s above similar ‘spots’ all over town is its handy location – not only at a busy junction and taxi rank on the south end of Oxford Street, but also opposite Papaye, whose chicken is as famous for its wait times as its flavour. Established practice is to get your order in then cross over to Lizzie’s and kick back with a beer for 45 minutes (or more).
Even if you aren’t waiting for chicken, it’s a good spot for watching the world go by, especially on a quieter weekday evening. Taxi drivers argue amongst themselves and haggle with customers, street traders watch over glowing, kebab-stacked grills, fellow drinkers talk politics over bottles of supercharged Guinness – it is brewed to a terrifying 7.5% in West Africa – and well-heeled young folks trickle past towards trendier bars further up the street. Despite the roughshod look, it’s table service only, so grab a seat and wait for one of the black-aproned waitresses to notice you.
Things are less peaceful on Friday and Saturday nights, when acrobats and musicians descend on the bar to entertain a larger weekend crowd. There are some remarkable street acrobats in the city – you can catch some of them at La Pleasure Beach on weekends too – so this small de facto street party is worth a look.