Bar, Dj entertainment in London
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Big Chill House
It’s been everything from a gay bar to an Egyptian belly-dancing club over the years, but now the owners of the Big Chill (a popular summer music festival) appear to have found this difficult venue’s calling: hosting a young, friendly muso crowd in a smart, welcoming corner of King’s Cross. Daily lunch for £5 is a great deal, and we love the large sundeck – a great place for a summer beer. Sister to the popular Big Chill bar off Brick Lane. There are also club nights here.
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Bartok
Here’s a true oasis: an elegant classical-music lounge-bar in the midst of grungy Camden. And not only is it an original find in this area, it’s pretty unusual in the whole of London. Named after the Hungarian composer and pianist, Bartok specialises in classical concertos, live jazz or brilliant DJ sets blending jazz, classical, electro and world music. Sadly the beer choices are standard issue, though cocktails are good here – kick back on one of the low sofas and enjoy until the wee hours.
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Embassy
It’s been around for years, but Embassy’s reputation and appeal just keeps rising, so get there early on weekends and mingle with the cool music and media crowd and enjoy the good DJs. The darkened windows and black walls make it look secretive, but inside everyone’s relaxing on the ubiquitous comfy sofas on the ground and basement floors. There are varying cover charges on weekends.
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Charterhouse Bar
Charterhouse Bar is most people’s pit stop before going on to Fabric, so expect loud music on weekends, with a good preclub atmosphere. For those preferring something quieter, pop by for brunch – the food is great – and enjoy the wedge-shaped structure, a traditional Clerkenwell warehouse design. DJs are on every evening and entry is free at all times.
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Bar Vinyl
Bar Vinyl is the epicentre for Camden’s young and urban crowd, with cool kids behind the decks, a record shop downstairs and graffiti whirling along narrow walls. But it’s superfriendly at the same time, and everyone’s here to relax and enjoy the music rather than pose. Weekends are packed and buzzing, midweek nights are quieter, and the music is always good.
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Dalston Superstore
Confirming Dalston’s pre-eminence as the area to hang out, the Dalston Superstore opened in 2009 and provided the cool kids with a base to work out of. This two-level industrial space is open all day and serves up sandwiches and light meals, though it really comes into its own after dark when there are club nights in the basement and DJs spinning upstairs. Get here early.
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Ruby Lounge
King’s Cross is being groomed slowly, so what was once an area frequented only by hardened clubbers, prostitutes and junkies is now turning into a three-Starbucks-per-square-metre neighbourhood. But the Ruby Lounge was around when the going was tough and is here to stay. It’s a great place, with a warm interior, excellent DJs and an up-for-it preclubbing crowd.
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Moustache Bar
Look for its signature moustache sign to find this local favourite – the Moustache packs them in at the weekends for sweaty and crowded drinking and dancing in its basement bar, or – equally crowded – on its makeshift smoking terrace. Drinks are cheap, and the cleverly decorated bar has some fascinating oddities on its walls (when you can see them).
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Mother Bar
Where can you go dancing till late on a Sunday night, you may wonder? Come to Mother. Still one of the best bars in town, it’s above Shoreditch’s original hipster club, 333. Though it’s mobbed at weekends, don’t be put off – there’s a lounge, a dance floor and a fun, up-for-it crowd.
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Vibe Bar
Once the epicentre of the Hoxton scene, the Vibe is part bar, part club, part outdoor drinking arena complete with fast food stalls. While its ’90s time in the sun is long past, it’s still popular and good fun outside in the summer. There are live acts most nights, and DJs at other times in the spacious interior.
reviewed
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Dreambagsjaguarshoes
The bar is named after the two shops whose space it now occupies, and this nonchalance is a typical example of the we-couldn’t-care-less Shoreditch chic. The small interior is filled with sofas and formica-topped tables, a DJ plays in the corner, and art exhibitions deck the graffiti-covered walls.
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