Shacklewell Arms

The gig room out back still smells bizarrely of mould, while the decor in its courtyard smoking area amounts to a broken fountain and several fading, crudely-painted murals, yet this down-at-heels gem is still one of London’s most beloved live music institutions, having played host to a plethora of big names during its indie heyday. Usually crowded, but generally convivial, the Shacklewell welcomes a hipster-ish crowd to gigs seven nights a week, plus club nights, magazine launches and after-show parties, all benefitting from a late licence. The studio next door ensures the patronage of a stream of local musicians and industry bods.