Accessible by a distinctly inauspicious flight of steps on one of the less popular stretches of Kingsland Road, Visions is in fact one of those pleasing places that reminds you how good it is to get away from shiny meat-market bars and the lasers-in-your-face bravado of large clubs.

Tinsel, an ancient-looking but serviceable sound-system and those shiny curtain things made out of silver fronds are all part of the fun, lending the basement venue the air, it must be said, of a down-market wedding reception.

While you've got a good chance of stumbling on nothing more than a locals' karaoke night, some worthwhile nights are starting to retreat from more obvious (and crowded) areas of London to set up here.