nightlife – The Cultural Exposé

Somewhere you should go… The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

The Cultural Exposé — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 10:00:57 +0000

There’s a real danger in using the term ‘secret bar’. Almost by letting the word pass your lips, you feel you’re slowly eroding the secrecy of things. Nevertheless a small but strong (and largely secret) movement of secret bars has gained momentum in recent times, the most distinguished of these being the Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town.

So full of paradoxes, these little chestnuts are, that I don’t feel at liberty to review with the usual degree of forensic detail, for fear of denting the magic that lies in wait. Understandably a whole part of the fun to be had is the slow unveiling, the unwrapping of layers, as you make your way to the Mayor. It sits unassumingly underneath the Breakfast Club in Spitalfields and I wonder how much extra trade the neighbouring pub has received courtesy of those who failed to ask the right questions or gave up before even trying. Had it not been for my more educated guide, I may have very nearly been one of the latter.

I could pick out of some of the brighter stars from The Mayor’s cocktail menu constellation – the selection is well and good – but it comes into its own thanks its inventive bar staff. Affable to a tee, with just a few hints of how you like your favoured tipple, they can conjure you some distilled delight.

But there’s was great benefit of secret bars, that isn’t immediately obvious. Whilst the web is awash with a list of rooftop bars to have your afternoon drinks served with added vitamin D, anyone arriving after the masses clock off will be hard-pressed (really hard-pressed) to find space to breathe, let alone queue. And so, for those of us who prefer our air to our tan, maybe the secret bar is the perfect antidote to summer over-crowding? Tell that to the Mayor’s bar staff and they’ll be sure to mix in an ample measure. Just make sure to say that you’re “here for the Mayor”. (Words: Will Prince)

For more info, visit: www.themayorofscaredycattown.com

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Somewhere You Should Go… NOLA, Shoreditch

Lucy Palmer — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 10:00:12 +0000

When I was at university I studied abroad for a semester in New Orleans so it has always been a place of amazing memories very close to my heart. So when I heard NOLA, a New Orleans style bar, was coming to Shoreditch I got excited dreaming of the good bourbon and gumbo I would enjoy again.

But as keen I was to visit, this was dampened by our inability to find the place. After wandering Rivington Street for a good 10 minutes we gave up and asked someone who punched a code in a door and told us to follow the stairs up. I get they want to keep the place secretive but c’mon a sign on the door would help!

Once we arrived, I went for the classic a Hurricane cocktail. And it was good, well mixed in an ice cold glass and it made me nostalgic for a night in Pat O’Briens. But beware they’re deceptively strong, and it was only when my group stood up to leave we had to admit we were all feeling it.

The decor has a vintage, New Orleans feel with dark green leather booths, shutters, piano and ceiling fans, but you can tell it’s only been open a month as everything is still new and bit too shiny. In a few months when it’s more worn and used it’ll be perfect.

It’s a small and intimate venue only open Tuesday- Saturday, 6pm – midnight, with 12-3pm reserved for members. Given its hard to find it was quiet when we went, but I imagine its late night you need to go, with live music regularly on. And as membership is free with just a donation going to charity of your choice, it’s great if you’re always looking for a late night place to continue the party.

At the time of writing, the kitchen wasn’t up and running, but I imagine this will draw me back to try the cooking, and if its anything as good as their cocktails it’s safe to say its going to be good. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

For more info, visit: www.nola-london.com

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Somewhere you should go… Tanya Lacey at Supa Dupa Fly, Jazz Cafe

Laura Thornley — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:00:52 +0000

Tanya Lacey may be fresh on the music scene but the hype she has received so far means catching her performing at Supa Dupa Fly on June 8th shouldn’t be missed. Raised in roughest part of Bristol, Lacey cut her teeth on one of the best music scenes in the UK – the home of Tricky, Portishead, Massive Attack, Drum and Bass – and it shows. She recently went down a storm as Bruno Mars‘s support act on his UK tour and her new work has been produced by the likes of Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry, Kid Cudi) and Dallas Austin (TLC, Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani). She’s not just a performer either, having written Loick Essien’s UK chart No. 2 ‘How we Roll’ and even co-wrote with Will.i.am on T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever).

Her new single Letter to my Ex is unmistakably influenced by her love of 90’s soul and R&B and thats why she fits in so perfectly at SDF. The night plays the best of 90’s hip hop R&B and garage – expect to hear everybody from Gang Starr to B.I.G, Missy to SWV and if you love your old-school 2-step there is some of that there too. Resident DJ Big Ted – crowd pleaser extraordinaire – will be hosting the party after the performance, alongside DJ Emily Rawson. And there’s a prize for the ‘fly-ist’ crew – challenge accepted? (Words: Laura Thornley)

For more info, visit www.itssupadupafly.blogspot.co.uk

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Somewhere you should go… East Village Club and Villain Bar

The Cultural Exposé — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:54 +0000

Located on Great Eastern Street – home to some of East London’s hippest venues – East Village Club certainly manages to hold its own. The underground club plays host to a variety of DJ-led nights where the music is the main event, rather than acting as a backdrop for flirty chit-chat. Expect nights such as Sounds of the Underground and Inner Rhythm, which fully embrace the urban music scene, pumping out house, bass, dancehall, and hip-hop to an energetic crowd of music-lovers and creative types. The upstairs Villain Bar is pretty hip too, feeling like it’s been put together by a bunch of over-enthusiastic art students, with its mix of futuristic neon lighting and recycled materials (think leather car seats, airplane windows, and convenience store signs). Rooms can be hired for private parties and – yes – karaoke nights, which adds to East Village’s cool and kooky vibe, minus the pretentiousness. So leave that body-con dress at home, put on your edgiest outfit, and head to the East End to shake a leg. (Words: Stephanie Soh)

For more info, visit www.eastvillageclub.co.uk.

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Somewhere you should go…YoYos, Notting Hill Arts Club

Matilda — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:05 +0000

If you thought Shoreditch had the monopoly on all the hippest nights in town, you clearly haven’t hit up YoYos at Notting Hill Arts Club. Hosted by DJs Seb Chew and Leo Greenslade, the super-popular night – which is an acronym for You’re Only Young Once – has been going on for nine years strong, earning a rep for pulling off the liveliest parties you’d least expect for a Thursday night. Up and comers dominate the early part of the evening with acoustic performances, followed by an unpredictable mashup of hip-hop, dubstep and bassline-heavy music from the resident DJs and the odd super-star guest, such as A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip on June 16th (check out our photo gallery here). So with the music being ridiculously superb, expect to see the young and stylish crowd mounting tables and chairs in the spirit of a good ol’ fashioned house party – and if you can get over the guest-list only policy, the photo ID and painfully lengthy queues, you’ll pretty much get with this!

For more info, visit www.nottinghillartsclub.com

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