Hysteria

At first glance, Hysteria Bar is a bit of a dodgy proposition. Just around the corner from Dalston Junction Overground, it has the feel of a place that isn’t quite sure what it wants to be. The front half is filled with the bar and handful of velvet upholstered dining chairs and a couple of floral print armchairs. The back half is painted completely black (including the long table and chairs) and apparently doubles as a stage for some live music on the weekends.
I had popped in to wait for my friends before we tackled the Mussel Men pop-​up a couple doors down. Craving a dram of whiskey to warm myself up, I was disappointed to see the range only extended up to a dusty bottle of Chivas Regal that seemed to be there more to take up space than provide a beverage. I did manage to locate a bottle of Canadian Club hiding behind some rums and a double of that ran me £8. Sometimes I miss being outside of London (ie. Woking) where a double of Laphroig 10 can be had for £3.95.
Anyways, the bartenders are nice enough and didn’t judge me too much for ordering my whiskey with just one ice cube (hey…dilution kills whiskey!). The random bit was the fresh pizza made to order in the «kitchen» that was composed of a table and a couple of pizza ovens right next to the bar. This is taking open plan to a whole new level and did raise a couple of concerns about health & safety. The other issue was the loud chopping as the cook prepared the toppings which after 15 minutes started to feel like a woodpecker drilling directly into my brain.
If you are going for a drink here, definitely take advantage of happy hour which will provide you two cocktails (for a limited list) for £8. The caipirinhas are well made if a bit on the sweet side and will provide a good refreshing drink to start off the night.
Overall, I’d reckon this is a place for a indie band starting out to play a gig for some fans and for that it’s well suited (basic drinks, quick barstaff, cheap pizza) but, and perhaps I’m getting picky in my old age, for a chill night with friends there are many better places in Dalston.

TONIGHT AT HYSTERIA 23/​06/​2012: COUP: With 1914s, LES MISTONS and guests until 03.00 FREE ACCESS all night long
COUP! is the ultimate art collective, think of Andy’s Factory
1914s and Les Mistons have joined together gathering all artists around
them to unite and create an indoor art festival. After three blissfully
successful events at Electricity Showrooms we are back at HYSTERIA!
Here you’ll find yourself in a beautifully decorated frenzy where
stalls sell vintage clothes, cakes, jewellery and the like, dancers
dance, joss sticks burn, scented candles fill the air and magical fairly
lights shine. Music will be your only friend, bands will entertain you,
DJs, poets and artists will be at your mercy, the projected films,
smoke machines and laser light shows will pull you into the whirlwind
everyone’s talking about
Get involved!
1914s Live
LES MISTONS Live
SECRET GUEST– Live
DJ’s
LES MISTONS DJ BASEMENT
Art Stall
Fashion Clothes Stall
Face/​Body Paint Stall
Saturday 23/​06/​2012
FREE ENTRY all night
20.00 03.00
Love COUP!

Quirky, appears as an amalgamation of several different businesses, pared down to look like a bar. Good selection of drinks, they had Campari, makes me happy, and Budvar on tap, makes the boyfriend happy.
Staff were friendly and informed us about a free comedy night that was happening that evening. Not able to attend as had other plans, but next time.