Buster Mantis

"Great news socialites—at this moodily lit, Jamaican-influenced Deptford spot, you can just pretend that your witty little repertoire about your ex’s troubling Rorschach results was lost to the hiss of a Red Stripe cracking open. It’s ideal for swapping numbers over homemade punch and doubling your group before the DJ takes to the decks. The bites, like salt fish fritters and oxtail croquettes, are pleasant enough but not essential. That’s fine. It’s rude to talk with your mouth full anyway." - heidi lauth beasley

"All bars part of glassy new build developments are questionable by virtue of looking like a shiny Be At One. But, at Buster Mantis in Deptford, you’ll find a low-key spot under the arches that suits group gatherings that grow as the night goes on. The moodily lit cocktail bar has a Jamaican influence that appears in its food as well as its drinks. Wray & Nephew features heavily, particularly in homemade punch, and their tropical martinis go down very easily. We’ve also got a guide to eating in the area, if you fancy a pre- or post-drink meal. " - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna

"All bars part of glassy new build developments are questionable by virtue of looking like a shiny Be At One you’d find at Terminal 5. But, at Buster Mantis, you’ll find a low-key spot under the arches that suits group gatherings that grow as the night goes on. The moodily lit cocktail bar has a Jamaican influence that appears in its food as well as its drinks. Wray & Nephew features heavily, particularly in homemade punch, and their bites are all pleasant enough. It’s a cocktail with a side of salt fish fritters kind of place. Or just come at around 10pm on the weekend, when tables are cleared, a DJ takes the decks, and cans of Red Stripe hiss as they’re cracked open around the room." - rianne shlebak, jake missing, sinead cranna, daisy meager

"As the clock strikes 10pm at the weekend, Buster Mantis transforms from its early evening guise as a chilled Caribbean restaurant into a proper south east London party. Groups, who know this is the time that tables are cleared and a DJ takes the decks, start flowing through the doors of the Deptford railway arch. Cans of Red Stripe hiss as they’re cracked open around the room and the bassline of afrobeats sets the pace until the early hours. " - rianne shlebak, jake missing, sinead cranna, daisy meager, heidi lauth beasley

"If you’re looking for somewhere dimly lit and open post-1am on the weekend, Buster Mantis is a decent shout. The low-key bar and restaurant under the arches in Deptford is made for cocktails with a side of salt cod fritters. Jamaican influence runs throughout the menu, from tagliatelle with ackee to duck breast with a yam croquette." - Team Infatuation