Nightlife
Originally published on Tuesday, 28th January 2014
The Sound Of Music
London has long been a hotbed for live music. But the hangouts of yesteryear (Hammersmith Apollo, HMV forum, Brixton Academy…) have some hot competition from a new breed of venues. It's no longer a case of watching a gig with a plastic cup of cider in hand. Now, it's about fine dining and drinking alongside live line-ups. Listen up for our picks of the newbies.
Hackney's alive with the sound of music, thanks to newcomer Oslo. The massive ex-railway station space is all about Nordic food downstairs and bands upstairs. January sees Dry The River, MT and experimentalists Chrome Hoof take to the stage with Indiana, Chrysta Bell and Peggy Sue slated to play over the coming months. There's plenty to wash down the music with, with two bars serving up everything from Five Point craft beer to Veuve Clicquot.
If you're on the NY-LON bandwagon, trek to Greenwich for Brooklyn Bowl. If you missed the recent launch, here's the rundown: bowling, brews and soul food from Blue Ribbon. The Williamsburg original has played host to surprise shows from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kanye and Haim, and while the London lineup is TBC, we hear there's a backstage alley connecting the Bowl to the O2, so it's only a matter of time before an arena headliner shows up. In the meantime, it's shaping up as an after party spot.
Finally, launched this month in the back alleys of London Bridge, Cecil's has the hat trick of live music, liquor and late nights covered. From the guys behind Sweet&Chilli, it's in a Victorian basement, kitted out with cosy booths, bow-tied barmen and (the best bit) hand crafted cocktails: bespoke, pre-bottled or even supersized. The intimate stage will feature serious talent, with Bristol beat boxers The Inexplicables, Beth Rowley and CC Smugglers on the February line-up.
Good food, drinks and live tunes? It's music to our ears.
Info
54 Below, 254 W. 54th St, NY 10019
Salon Club at Embassy, 29 Old Burlington Street, W1S 3AN
No.8, 357 W. 16th St, NY 10011
