All the latest live gigs and club nights taking place at the long-running Camden music venue.
In a nutshell…
Think of it like a big bar of Galaxy – smooth, silky and luxurious but accessible enough to easily avoid Hotel Chocolat levels of wankiness.
Where is it?
Hop off the tube at Camden Town and you’ll be through its ornate doors quicker than you can do a touch of scatting. It’s literally a few hundred feet away – no need to plan a journey, just improvise!
What’s the vibe?
There’s a certain maturity to it that’s appealing. It’s quite usual to see people swanning through its doors after work to have a pint and a boogie, and with a capacity of less than 500, it feels like a small social space rather than the kind of big-room club that you can lose yourself (and all your mates) in. It’s a suave venue but never feels stuffy, especially as the Columbo Group also managed to fix the air con when taking it over last year.
What makes it a great venue?
It’s got an amazing history, having hosted Adele, Bobby Womack and Amy Winehouse in over a quarter of a century of business. But the new owners have worked their magic and retained a sense of the antique with a more modern feel. There’s a stunning restaurant space on the mezzanine floor that’s flecked with flakes of gold and a downstairs area for dancing. Don’t be fooled by the name, either – there are world, soul and hip hop nights on offer on top of the winding solos and cheeky use of chromatic scales.
What’s the booze situation?
We’d be lying if we said it was cheap, but you’re helping to maintain its stunning interior so it ain’t all bad. Best bet is to get yourself a ‘shot rack’ of tequila for £19.
Finally: what happens to all the coats left in the cloakroom?
According to the venue, they hold on to them all for a couple of months and if no one claims them they get dropped off at a local charity shop.
