Molly Mac’s, Waterloo – Craic, Karaoke & Curry Sauce (Ask for Extra)

I love January. I know that puts me firmly in the minority, but perhaps it’s because it’s my birthday month, or because I genuinely enjoy the hibernation that follows December’s excesses. After weeks of heels, sequins, three-course dinners and rich food, January calls for something more low-key. And that’s exactly what makes choosing a birthday venue surprisingly tricky. When everyone suddenly wants the opposite of rich food and expense, the brief becomes: relaxed, fun, flavourful but not heavy.

This year, that brief led me to Molly Mac’s in Waterloo.

Tucked beneath the railway arches just moments from Southwark station (left out of the exit, swift left again before the bridge), Molly Mac’s doesn’t immediately reveal itself. On a dark January evening, even with a very respectable 5.30pm booking, the quiet alleyway gave me pause. But then, almost instantly, you’re hit with a wall of sound, warm lighting and even warmer faces. Molly Mac’s was packed on a Saturday night in January - and rightly so. Book a table. Trust me.

Founded as a modern Irish bar with a distinctly London energy, Molly Mac’s blends the comfort of a traditional boozer with a buzzing social scene and a Thai-led kitchen, a combination that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. The space is welcoming, lively and beautifully done, without tipping into try-hard territory.

The crowd skewed mixed early on, but by 9–10pm the demographic settled somewhere between late-20s and late-30s. While it’s louder than my younger self might have clocked, it never became distractingly so, at least not before the live music kicked off (which, again, added atmosphere without hijacking conversation… initially).

For my birthday, I finally popped my spice bag cherry. A trial run, admittedly - I’m not sure it truly counts unless it’s on home turf - but still a solid first attempt. Portions were generous, flavours leaned more Thai-inspired than Irish-Chinese-takeaway traditional, but tasty nonetheless. One note: if you’re serving spice bags in an Irish establishment, a thimble-sized jug of curry sauce is simply not acceptable. Ask for more sauce when you order. You’re welcome.

Service was friendly, drinks were good and reasonably priced for London, and as the evening rolled on the crowd became… animated. Just so you know.

Would I return? Absolutely. And for a bigger celebration, I’d book one of their private karaoke rooms - discreet, soundproofed, and perfect for group birthdays (even if you don’t fancy the mic).

Molly Mac’s is a brilliant Irish establishment in London - clearly not struggling, judging by the packed rafters - but well worthy of support nonetheless. A midweek gem if you’re of a certain age; a Saturday-night belter if you’re feeling brave.

Go. Enjoy. And book ahead. 🍀