Though the name of the bar is actually plastered across the entrance, 196 is simply the address. Walking past you would only assume that it is another generic cafe or place of business.
There is no sign out the front, no menu is on display, and no promotion trying to entice you inside. The building is even painted a dark grey to help it blend into the background of the concrete jungle of Mill Road. There is very little social media presence too, with only a website and Instagram page.
This is clearly done on purpose to create the idea of 196 being a hidden gem known only to the locals, but this warm and modern bar really does make you feel like you have discovered some hidden secret upon entering. Though very small, being no bigger than the average living room, they do incredibly well with the space and manage to seat people comfortably, even at full capacity. Upon entering the place was already packed but the staff managed to somehow create space out of nothing by playing a game of people Tetris. A part of me thinks that their stealthy marketing practice might actually be to manage numbers rather than create a feeling of hidden exclusivity.
As mentioned above, the menu only had quality here, so the beer was refreshing and served incredibly crisp.
The bar was dimly lit, which gave an incredibly cosy feel and an intimate atmosphere. This made you feel a million miles away from the rest of the world. Perfect for those cold winter nights. It reminded me of other pubs in Cambridge like The Flying Pig.
A couple of beers later, they told us they were closing for the night. They serve up until midnight which is always good to know for future nights out. We finished our drinks and paid our tab. The prices were as you would expect for a place in Cambridge serving premium cocktails, beer, and wine. So don’t come in here expecting a bargain. We did, however, leave feeling that we had paid good money for quality drinks and a unique experience. This can be hard to find and I personally feel like it was worth every penny.
We left feeling good and everyone speaking highly of the place. I have had 196 on my radar for some time now and it didn’t disappoint. It was exactly what I expected but that was no bad thing!
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The Cambridge Foodies 