If you're looking for a night sweating with the kids and getting covered in beer, then look no further.
Barden’s Boudoir
One of our all time favourite hang-outs, Barden’s is a place that shouldn’t really work, but somehow really does. Situated in a basement half way up Kingsland Road with the stage at a bit of a funny angle, you can often find yourself sweating your balls off with a cruddy view if it’s busy, but thanks to the general vibe of the place and the awesomeness of the promoters it’s attract, shows at Barden’s are a total riot more often than not. It also has one of the best late-night Turkish restaurants in London just over the road.
Old Blue Last
Owned by Vice and located in Old Street, The Old Blue Last has long been a place in danger of disappearing into its own navel. Recently refurbished, with new sofas and a mega-powerful backline, the pub still attracts the Shoreditch hipster brigade and the people looking to fondle with them like a fly lamp.
That being said, The OBL is saved by the bands it consistently puts on. If they’re good, over here and looking to play a small club then you’ll probably find them playing the Old Blue. The pub is really laid-back about gigs, giving promoters money so that they can keep the door free, and allowing the bands that play there to get away with stuff they just couldn’t do elsewhere – as anyone who was at Fucked Up’s show a couple of Christmas’s ago will readily tell you.
Lock Tavern
A bit of an aberration on the Camden live scene, with its high-class food, high ceilings and classy good looks, The Lock Tavern has all the hallmarks of a middle-class gig goers paradise. Upstairs is where the action happens, where a tiny stage sits between a bar and a charming roof terrace. Most of the time this is the venue for a spot of gentile folk or a bit of arm-swinging at an indie disco, but now and again a band will come along and a play a sweaty and very intimate show, which somehow always manage to feel like a party in your mum’s living room.
Barfly
Take a wander over the road from The Lock Tavern, and you’ll find it’s rough-tough evil brother: The Barfly. A battle-ready boozer that still pulses with the same bizarre mix of nerds and coolies, legends and lost causes that have always made it a good bet for a great night out, this place has been an important stop-off point on London’s indie scene since it first landed in Chalk Farm Road in 1996.
Loved and loathed in equal measure, The Barfly can sometimes feel like a night out in your local SU bar, but a steady flow of big names playing secret gigs and small names playing on their way to fame or failure makes this one of the best bets on the Camden strip.
The Borderline
Tucked away in a side street off Charing Cross, The Borderline has really come into its own since the demolition Astoria that was once situated mere steps away.
The place where Oasis filmed their video for 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', a journey down a few flights of stairs leaves you in a bar bizarrely-themed after a Wild West ranch and boasting a layout that means you'll never be out of view of the stage. Simply put, it is perfectly suited to everything from acoustic folk to rock and even packed-out indie-electro club nights now and then.
The Luminaire
Probably one of the best reasons to get off your couch and visit Kilburn, The Luminaire is one of dying breed in London’s live music scene. Situated above The Kilburn pub, it is a good-sized live music venue, with an interior that looks like a northern working men’s club and a stoic deference to performers and decent line-ups.
Although the venue owners clearly love there blues, the Lumi often attracts some of the indie scene’s more interesting performers, and with a whole bunch of decent pubs nearby, you really can’t go wrong with this one.
The Windmill
Still our favourite venue in Brixton, although the newly opened Rest Is Noise is starting to win over our affections, The Windmill is a lovely little pub and live music venue tucked away in a side street just off Brixton Hill, boasting an excellent reputation with bands, promoters and fans alike for its intimate atmosphere and relaxed vibe.
The Fighting Cocks
A raucous rock and roll boozer with a constant programme of live music and comedy, young staff and a fresh faced crowd, the Fighting Cocks is the antidote to suburbia that Kingston has been crying out for. It really rocks.
It may seem like a bit of a mission to get there, but it’s remote location on London’s fringes is both The Fighting Cocks’ biggest weakness and largest strength. Possessing a really raucous atmosphere this pub often acts as a staging ground for a lot of London’s biggest acts, and you can often find a band who have just played ULU or the Underworld, playing a quiet show here a couple of days later.
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