I’ve reached a point in life where loud, energetic bars filled with boisterous crowds no longer appeal to me. I now prefer something more relaxed and intimate. Being able to sit down and have a conversation instead of shouting over deafening music is another clear indicator that I’m no longer in my twenties. Nottingham is home to several excellent independently-owned establishments, including Loose Ends on Friar Lane and 31K on Goose Gate. Another option is Pogo, located just a few doors down from 31K on the popular Hockley strip, which houses restaurants Skein and Mesa as well as the relatively new Goose in Boots pub and club. Pogo isn’t a newcomer to the scene—it opened in 2023—but we’ve never reviewed it before, so a thorough look is long overdue. We arrived at around 9pm on a Friday evening at this bar whose exterior is as vibrant and striking as a Granny Smith apple. We were immediately welcomed by a cheerful staff member who asked whether we preferred a bar stool or the final available table. We chose the table situated behind the bar. With softened lighting, playful artwork, greenery and mid-century style furniture, the space offers a warm, homely atmosphere without any hint of pretension. Somehow it doesn’t feel like we’re in Nottingham anymore but rather at some intimate venue in Soho. Primarily a cocktail bar, it’s typically the type of place that makes my husband nervous. Standing at a crowded bar waiting for a beer while bartenders shake, stir and perform their cocktail magic isn’t his idea of enjoyment. However, with table service available, he’s more than content to sit and chat with me rather than getting frustrated because the previous customer ordered three Pornstar Martinis and a drink requiring dry ice, sparklers or some other theatrical flourish. Pogo’s drink menu begins with timeless cocktails such as Margarita, Gimlet and Mai Tai, boldly stating they make them “dead good” and taking pride in that claim. Aperol Spritz, Limoncello and Hugo—ideal summer refreshments—are also on offer. Following these are Martini-based selections, house creations and summer specials, including Lime Fifty Nine (described as “the thinking man’s Mojito”) and the tropical, zesty Afterglow (with the subtitle hot mess). Of course I had to select the most daring drink on the menu, which based on its listed ingredients seems to combine Asian-inspired flavors with a comforting British classic that was popular in the 1930s. Never before have I experienced a cocktail containing garlic, gochujang, Thai chili, pickled peppers, seasoning, and wait for it… Bovril. Mixed with tequila, lime and tomato, it’s essentially a Bloody Mary on steroids, called Bloody Hell, Tony! The accompanying subtitle reads “thanks mate, Mary’s crying.” While other cocktails are categorized as fruit-smooth-sweet or velvet-nutty-bold, this £12 creation (£9 for a non-alcoholic version) is labeled as spicy-Monster Munch-umami. I was hoping the garnish would be a pickled onion flavored crisp. It wasn’t. Instead the heat was amplified further by a cocktail stick threaded with peppadrops, those teardrop-shaped red piquanté peppers. You need a strong constitution for a beverage like this. It makes a spicy margarita look mild. This is one to be sipped gradually and savored, otherwise you’ll be calling 999 for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue to extinguish the blaze in your mouth. The alternative take on tabasco and Worcestershire sauce not only succeeds but multiplies the intensity a hundredfold, so if you’re a hardcore chili enthusiast like me, you’ll appreciate it. If not, opt for something less challenging. I have no idea who Tony is but he’s a mixology demon. Meanwhile, my husband is perfectly satisfied with his pint of Lowenbrau—a traditional German lager—he hasn’t had to wait for at the bar. It’s priced at a premium compared to typical Nottingham beers at £6.90, but this is an upscale establishment. The welcoming environment draws a varied crowd—two women sharing a bottle of wine, a young couple, two older gentlemen, a group of three friends. We didn’t feel out of place—and it felt safe. The staff checked in to see if we were enjoying our drinks and when it was time to leave, they said goodbye. I commend the beverages, the wit behind them, the ambiance and the warmth and friendliness… I left a little piece of my heart behind as we walked out from Pogo. It even managed to win my husband over.