This is a great little bar, just tucked in between Dalston and Stoke Newington…read more Located next to a barbers and a great kebab shop, the door is tucked between the two with a chandelier of bowler and top hats! The inside is decorated in a mess of old photos and paraphernalia from a bygone era, each image with its own drawn moustache. Drinks are cheap and seats comfortable and the staff are really friendly too. A good night for all.

Popped along to this place after a housemate's open gallery around the corner and was pleasantly…read moresurprised. Free entry, great music and atmosphere...full of people who seemed to have dressed up for the occasion which seemed a little over the top for a teeny tiny underground bar, but there was clearly no dress code as I got in without a glance to my scruffy, holey (but oh-so comfy) Everlast trainers. It was a mission to get to the bar which was really the only downside but other than that, good fun.

Came in here on a whim on a Sunday evening after the place we had booked for dinner turned out to…read morebe horribly loud and not really relaxing dinner territory. Really glad we did. The bar staff were very welcoming and entertaining, and the food was excellent. I had stuffed peppers and my partner had a mixed grill with mash. Apparently the menu changes daily as the chef likes to be creative. He is certainly a good chef. The cost was very reasonable too - 2 pints of ale, 2 pints of cider and 2 meals for 30 quid. Not bad at all! Also has a beer garden which I'm sure we would have utilised had it been nicer out! Definitely recommended and would come again.

I came here on a Thursday night for a comedy show in the basement. That was called Joy…read moreMultiplication and they had excellent acts! I was really surprised at how empty the bar was - it seemed like a really cool, interesting place and I would happily have spent more time there. It's pretty large and I think it would be good for large groups, but it's also quite cosy, with armchairs and sofas at some tables.

Dalston Roof Park feels like a tiny, well-kept secret. It sort of is. To get here, one has to…read morenavigate a confusing warren of hallways and elevators through what feels like a building full of NGO and charity offices, cross some fire escapes, and then emerge onto the roof. I'd give you directions but I've already forgotten the way. Still, it was a fun adventure, and it yielded a neat London space. There are nice views out across Dalston, south over Haggerston, east to Hackney and London Fields, and north toward Stokey. The roof itself is covered with astroturf and has little planter boxes of herbs and veggies, and a ramshackle bar with an enticing cocktail menu. There are quite a few places to sit and enjoy the fresh air and views. I went in the middle of December with a friend who was ill, so staying to hang out for a while wasn't an option, but I will definitely be back in summer!

Drinks: 5/5 Service: 5/5…read moreCleanliness: 5/5 Decor & Style: 5/5 Great view at night and very casual, relaxed environment to chill with a group of friends. I still recommend going early so you can grab a table. Large selection of drinks and the service is quick! Great open area where you can sit on the ground as well for the ones that want to truly relax and even laydown! Very different rooftop bar from what I am used to. See the great view of the pic I took at night time.

A very atmospheric venue recently discovered in the heart of Dalston...Have a look and make up your…read moremind on what it is and why it was built - for now it's a mystery!

This place is known as The Clowns Church because every year, usually the first Sunday in Feb., the…read moreclowns of the world hold a sevice here. It is in memory of the British clown Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837). This has been an annual tradition since 1946. The clowns attend in costumes. Nothing else remarkable about the church really. Go to see the clowns.

Awesome venue! I…read moresaw Joey McIntyre of the New Kids on the Block perform both nights of his Solo Joe Summer Tour. Great floor seats the first night but the view was even better from the balcony the second night. No A/C (which I don't think very many UK buildings have) so the 75-degree evening translated into a hot & sweaty show for both attendees & Joey on stage. Especially uncomfortable on the balcony as heat rises; a small price to pay to see one of my favorite performers in one of my favorite cities. Good times!!

I'd heard several friends mention this venue and couldn't imagine where it was. Then I realised…read moreit's attached to Islington Town Hall, and (I think) used to be the borough musuem, before it moved to St John St. We went to see a jazzy electronic act, and the sound crew recommended the balcony for the best sound. Seats were reasonably comfortable, staff was friendly, there were clean toilets with loo roll (and no queue for the women's, although that might have been the demographic of the gig I was at, more than the venue). Bar is indeed pretty basic, a 250ml red wine was £6 in a plastic cup, and they have a carafe of water on the side at the upstairs bar if you just want tap water. Overall, it was a civilised evening with great music, so I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

I've had two company meetings here and both have gone off without a hitch. To start, the venue is…read moreSTUNNING. It was originally built in 1509 and has been home to people such as Sir Francis Bacon! The entire place is very well maintained and somehow manages to provide modern amenities while maintaining it's history and authenticity. The staff at the Canonbury Academy are all incredibly pleasent and very accomodating. The rooms are well planned and perfectly organised. Like I said earlier, they somehow manage to balance new and old. The rooms are gorgeous and elegant, but are also set up with overhead projects and televisions. Perfect! Our lunch and coffee breaks were served in an adjoining room which was also lovely, on both occassions. Last but certainly not least, the price is right. I'm actually suprised at how affordable the Canonbury is for events. They also offer a charity rate which chops off a significant percentage. Be sure to mention if you're a charity though, they don't always ask!

Wonderful place…read more They had good food and reasonably priced drinks. The live music was awesome (although not jazz the night we went). We found their events on eventful.com. They had some stuff listed at the vortex. It's also really close to a tube station so it's easy to get to without a car. Seating is a little bit cramped, but possible. We didn't really have to wait. They also have outdoor seating.

I am new to Jazz, being a convert after my wife's influence and listening to the various channels…read moreon Play. After reading about the various Jazz venues in London I was drawn to Vortex because it is affordable and run by volunteers. I was not dissapointed by the music and the venue was better than I expected. Me, I am not that particular so this is my view but others said that it was a bit run down. I suspect that if you are more high brow then Dalston and it's establishments are not for you. The drinks are a bit expensive. The staff are very friendly and casual. As this is the first time I have been to a Jazz venue it is hard to make a comparative review. However we had a good time listening to the music and I would recommend Vortex to anyone who wants to try out the Jazz scene.

Firstly, the Dalston Boy's Club is hard to find! I must have spent a good fifteen minutes running…read moreup and down Boleyn Road red-faced and flustered trying to find this venue for a gig that I was already late to. The owners are apparently notoriously publicity-shy and this shows as there is no signage outside and a wily scribble on the door ('use other door') must put off those who are not dedicated enough to finding this gem. Once inside, the Dalston Boys Club is a gorgeous little bohemian haven, with rugs scattered around the floor which were used as seating by half the audience, and hotch-potch furniture filling up the remainder of the space. There are random paintings and decadent mirrors leaning against the walls which give the impression that you have stumbled across an antique dealers garage by accident and a cute little balcony provides the best seats in the house. The whole place is just so beautiful and the (real!) candle light gives it a magical, mysterious glow - I'll be keeping an eye out for other events here in the future for sure.