The Official Spirit Guide to the Best Small Venues Around SOAS
By Su Waddy, Staff Writer, BA Politics and International Relations & Mari Tagami, BA Languages and Cultures 28/10/2024
Spiritual Bar, Chalk Farm:
Tucked around a corner just outside of Camden Town, Spiritual Bar is a popular choice for live music enthusiasts looking for an intimate setting. The venue frequently showcases emerging artists, who play a diverse range of blues, folk, and rock music. Its easygoing and unassuming atmosphere makes it an ideal place for students to relax while discovering new sounds and talent. Whether you're seeking a casual evening or a more immersive musical experience, Spiritual Bar offers a welcoming environment without the typical hustle you’d get around Camden.
Devonshire Arms, Kentish Town Road:
Referred to as "The Dev," this pub has become a fixture in Camden's alternative scene. With its dive-bar style, it's a haven for rock, punk, and metal fans. The walls are adorned with posters, stickers, and memorabilia, which imbue the pub with a gritty and authentic ambiance. Regular live music and reasonably priced drinks make it a favourite among students who appreciate London's underground metal music culture, manifesting a laid-back atmosphere and a strong sense of community.
Hawley Arms, Camden:
For a ‘true’ taste of Camden, you really cannot miss the Hawley Arms. This iconic venue was a favourite haunt of late jazz sweetheart Amy Winehouse, as well as many other talented names sitting amongst your playlists. Although it is no longer guaranteed that you will be sharing a drink with Florence Welch, this noughties-indie hub of a pub has certainly not lost its homely charm. Sitting on the rooftop terrace helps you to soak in all its musical history, whilst you imagine exactly how a bar fight between Liam Gallagher and Kate Moss could have taken place.
Slim Jim's, Islington:
Slim Jim's is a rock 'n' roll bar celebrated for its unapologetic aberrant atmosphere. Situated in Islington, it's renowned for its loud music, wide selection of whisky, and eccentric decor, which features bras hanging from the ceiling. The venue comes to life late into the night, making it an excellent choice for students seeking a no-frills, high-energy night out. With its jukebox filled with rock classics and regular live music, Slim Jim's offers a lively and unrefined alternative to the more polished nightspots in the area.
The Social, Fitzrovia:
When on the hunt for a night out that feels “urbane” or “chic”, you never really look towards the busy, tourist-condensed area around Oxford Circus. However, The Social lies just off Oxford Street, and yet somehow also in another world, with a cool crowd and a friendly vibe. Its capacity may be small, but it is not short in ambition, having hosted the talented likes of Bon Iver, Aphex Twin, and FatBoy Slim, to name a few. Sustaining its rich musical history, The Social is a very special spot that we are lucky to have, keeping up its quirk deep in commercial Fitzrovia.
Below Stone Nest, Chinatown:
This bar is a low-lit, subterranean gem, bustling away underneath a Chapel right in the heart of Central London. Alongside its unique atmosphere, with crumbling walls covered in exposed plaster and beautifully designed interiors, it is currently undergoing a refurbishment that will, according to The Standard, see the introduction of a “highball-focused drinks menu”’and a food offering of “bold, vegetable-forward” small plates. Below does of course host live music, aiming for that comfortable medium between memorable performances and a casual setting.
