VENUES GUIDE

Want to know where the best gigs happen in London? Or are you a promoter looking to put on a show? Here’s your guide to the best London venues!

DIY Space For London

DIY Space For London is a fantastic venue, right at the heart of London’s DIY culture. Off the beaten track but a great member run hub. CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW SPACE.

Bookings: booking@diyspaceforlondon.org

The Victoria, Dalston

Part of the trendy Jaguar Shoes Collective. A pub serving cask ales and a well selected choice of beers. Capacity 150.

Bookings: bookings@jaguarshoes.com

Shacklewell Arms

This venue has everything – a spacious pub, a beer garden and a separate gig venue. Capacity approx 200.

Bookings: info@shacklewellarms.com

Sister Midnight

South London’s coolest basement sweatbox venue is also a record shop and cafe. They squeeze in about 60 people.

Bookings: https://www.facebook.com/sistermidnightrecords/

Pin ups

Twin Peaks curtains and a nice bar area in Islington’s best small venue. Despite its size it can be LOUD. Capacity 80.

Bookings: events@pinupslondon.com

MOTH Club

The hippest, most glittery spot in Hackney Central. Fairly big former working mens club. Capacity is approx 300.

Bookings: studio@lanzaroteworks.com

New River Studios

Out in the sticks between Stamford Hill and Manor House, but a great collective music hub and they make amazing pizzas!

Bookings: ellis@newriverstudios.com

Cafe OTO

World famous for avant garde, noise, free jazz and more. There’s always something interesting to see. People go just because it’s OTO.

Bookings: fielding@cafeoto.co.uk

The Lexington

A staple on the cult indie scene, in Islington. The downstairs bar has about a million whiskeys and hosts a legendary pub quiz on Mondays!

Bookings: matty@thelexington.co.uk

Windmill Brixton

Home of the mythical “South London scene”. Famed for the dog on the roof and being a million miles from the station.

Bookings: windmillbrixton@yahoo.co.uk

Venue MOT Unit 18

One of the weirdest locations for a venue in London, but it works! In a mechanics unit near Millwall stadium. Capacity approx 80.

Bookings: info@venuemotunit18.page

Folklore

Lovely little venue, at the back of a very cosy bar (with a cat) on Hackney Road. Great for quiet/folk shows… obviously.

Bookings: info@folklorehoxton.com

The Social

There are regular free gigs showcasing breaking artists and bands. A legendary spot in Central London.

Bookings: carl@thesocial.com

The Gunners Pub

An Arsenal football pub by day. They’ve also host occasional great gigs too.

Bookings: info@soundeventsolutions.co.uk

Sebright Arms

A lovely pub and venue. Pretty much anything goes here, from folk to hiphop to hardcore. Capacity 150.

Bookings: events@sebrightarms.com

Paper Dress Vintage

Situated above a vintage dress shop (clue is in the name!) there are regular shows here. Capacity 110

Bookings: paperdressboutique@yahoo.co.uk

Stags Head Hoxton

Nice pub with great pizzas and a curtained off venue area. Close to the canal. They host some great shows.

Bookings: info@stagsheadhoxton.com

The Macbeth, Hoxton

Was once the hipster venue of choice but these days is a little off the radar. Still, it’s a fairly cheap and rough and ready venue to hire.

Bookings: bookings@themacbeth.co.uk

Servant Jazz Quarters

A small, cosy bar with downstairs venue. Gets very squashy when it’s busy but there are some good shows here.

Bookings: http://servantjazzquarters.com/venue-hire/

Old Blue Last

Despite the downstairs bar often being a bit too “city boy” these days there are still some good (often free) gigs in the venue upstairs.

Bookings: events@theoldbluelast.com

Do you run a grassroots London venue? If you would like to be included in our London venues guide, please get in touch!

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