My party of four enjoyed a pretty good acoustic show at this little club, I'd never heard of the singer -- Dawn Landes -- but research told me A) she had a solid following in Britain and B) she'd once been married to Josh Ritter, I'm a fan, so she had to be talented. She was, and she definitely had a loyal fanbase, the entire front room -- holds maybe 70 people -- was full, so my posse settled on a couch near the back, and sipped pints. I liked the bartenders (two ladies), clean feel of the venue, and beer selection, this is the only spot in London where I found a solid IPA that was hop-forward, always a good thing to pair with alt-country-Nashville sounds. A smallish club that's tricky to navigate via your mobile app, this place is worth a visit. read more

The Borderline is a top music venue with a rich history and an exciting present. Although many of the artists who perform here are at the bottom rung of the music industry ladder, The Borderline is a significant rung to have climbed. Among some of the artists who have performed here in the past are Oasis and R.E.M and more recently acts like Brandi Carlisle and The Fray have used the venue to introduce themselves to the UK public. I have to say I did enjoy looking at the pictures and memorabilia on the way downstairs which demonstrated the importance of the venue on the London music scene. The pub has the style and feel of an old saloon bar with pillars and posts obstructing views of the stage from certain spots in the venue. The stage is raised but if the place packs out and you're short like me, you have a hard time seeing the artist. Arriving early and getting a good spot is strongly advised. Some seating is available at the back if you do arrive early and the venue is not yet full and this is a good area for enjoying a pre-gig drink. A good quality of performer is guaranteed, normally singers and full bands a lot of experience under their belt. Tickets can be on the pricey side considering the stature of some of the artists and prices range anywhere between £6 to £15 depending on who's playing. However there are some drinks offers at certain times which will help save a little money. Posters dotted around the venue also tell you who else is coming up at The Borderline in the near future which I found very helpful. Public transport is the recommended method of getting to the venue as Manette Street is very narrow and is governed by double yellow lines. Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road tube stations are minutes away on foot. read more

The Borderline - Dance Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

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I recently stood behind a pillar for an hour whilst trying to watch/listen to a band called Department of Eagles. We tried moving a few times, but in The Borderline, unless you are standing on the dance floor, it is pretty hard to get a great view anywhere. There is a good atmosphere in the venue, though the decor is very strange- why is there a Western/Alamo themed music bar in London?! The bar is mainly filled with men (the disgusting women's toilets that were overflowing could be something to do with that) mainly from record labels as the venue generally showcases relatively new bands (Vampire Weekend played here a few years ago before their album came out) It is a good place for acoustic shows (if you can get a go spot) as it is probably one of the smallest and most intimate of the Mean Fiddler venues. read more

The Borderline - Dance Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

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The Borderline is part of Mean Fiddler's group of venues. The Mean Fiddler own a variety of rock venues around London but The Borderline seems to be styled completely differently to their usual "rock" vibe and feel. This place has quite a past and has been host to so many big names through the years - all evident from the photos on the wall as you enter the venue. The music is usually a little different, again, less "rock" and more indie, or acoustic based. I like the fact you feel as though you are standing in a venue with such a great past. The roster of events isn't always to my liking but when I *have* venture here, I have really enjoyed myself. read more

The Borderline - Dance Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

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Nice intimate venue The Borderline, we were here for a Tony Wright gig. And what an excellent night we had too. The size of the venue is my ideal gig venue size. Love places like this, where you can almost reach out and touch the performer - not that I would and not that I'd want to mind :) Bar was efficient. Loos quite clean and well stocked, given it's a music venue is a high achievement indeed. Get in line early for seats. Recommended. read more

The Borderline - Dance Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

If it's a small, scuzzy dive bar you're after for a good sweaty gig, then look no further. This place has it all. I know people that love it and others that can't bear it, it just depends on what your into. It's a beer soaked floor type place and the quality of your night depends very much on who or what you're seeing or dancing to. The bar's never too busy to get served, which is surprising given the amount of time you spend queuing in some of it's much bigger, cleaner, more sanitised competitors. It's also not a rip off with £3ish beers and gig tickets are generally not too expensive either (approx £8 + depending on gig). As you'd expect it can get quite hot but there's plenty of much worse places to be overheating in. Also, keep an eye on the gig listings, chances are there'll be some 'soon to be known' artists or bands playing, or the next big foreign artist playing their first U.K. tour here. See you in the mosh pit/area! :) read more

We went to the 90's night on Friday and had a pretty alright time! Personally it wasn't my type of 90's music (as I spent the 90's as a wannabe rude girl in primary school and so mostly listened to uk Garage and cheesy pop music, and this seemed more geared to those who were kind of cool and in their teens during the era) but the drinks were dirt cheap and the dance floor was full. In fact the night and venue itself is 2.5/5 stars but I'm happy to give it 4 purely down to £2.50 mixers and pints. read more

There is one reason and one reason only why this place doesn't get a much higher rating and that is the massive pillar in the middle of the room. Yeah fine, it's a structural necessity and without it the whole subterranean venue would probably collapse instantly but it does restrict an awful lot of the audience's view. Apart from that, I like the weird Alpine chalet/Swedish sauna/Tiki bar look of the wooden bar, I like that it's so small so you can see some great bands in a really intimate venue and I like that it is still a bit scuzzy, sweaty and sticky round the edges when so many other live music venues have been sanitized beyond belief. They just need to sort out that bloody pillar. read more

The Borderline - Dance Clubs Near Me - London, XGL

My friends and I came here a few nights ago for one last night out before leaving London for Stratford (we're on a university trip). I'm introverted as hell, so the fact that I spent the entirety of the time I was there singing AND dancing AND trying to get others to dance means that this venue is doing something right. The music was good, a nice mix of early 2000s and current pop that sent me right back to those good 'ol high school dances (I'm assuming the night was themed based on the other reviews). I can tell you I've never seen a group of young people get more excited for Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" to come on over the speakers. Will definitely return if I find myself in London again. read more

This small, sweaty, fun venue was the site of my very first London gig. The marvellous Billion Dollar Brain were a micro indie rock phenomenon based in Bury St Edmunds in the late nineties and after the glory of winning the local band competition fixed their sights firmly on the big smoke. Not being very well versed in the ways of the pay to play gig, and far too impressed by some slick talk by a London promoter they agreed to make their city debut at the Borderline. Lots of famous bands have played there, they told each other excitedly, and happily made the journey down one weekday afternoon right after school. Yes - after school! Needless to say, the gig went fine but the hordes of fans the band had hoped for failed to materialise, and they narrowly avoided having to pay a small fee to the promoter. Years later and with much wisdom gained from my gigging experiences I look back on that gig at the Borderline with fondness, and every time I go there to see a nice intimate gig I think of my 17 year old self rocking out on that stage and smile. read more

The Borderline is a tiny basement bar with excellent live music. It's dark, with rough corners. Nothing fancy down here. But if you like folk- and country-tinged rock bands, they're probably playing here. It's mostly just one small open room and a low stage. There are some tables in the back if you just want to listen. The whole place doesn't hold more than a couple of hundred people. There are often drink specials (usually cans of beer) if you get in before 8pm. A lot of Canadian bands seem to come through here, acts that would play much larger venues there but don't get a huge crowd in London. I've seen Blue Rodeo there a couple of times, as well as Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and Great Big Sea. I've also caught the North Mississippi All Stars and Cracker there. If you want a good dose of singer-songwriter playing just 10 feet in front of you, this is the place. read more

Love the borderline! somewhere between GAY and ASTORIA a great little gig room to see bands i recently saw mysteryjets there and a XFM gig and has a lovely time they also do club night with live music and a dj until the early hours small but cool read more

I think this place is great. I've never seen a gig there, but I bet the atmosphere would be incredible for a good band. I've been there several times when there's just been a Saturday night DJ on. Music is very varied, everything from the Wonderstuff, Oasis, The Smiths up to more modern Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight and lots in between. An Indie feel, but not exclusively so. There is a dancefloor and also a small stage, both of which are crammed by the end of the night. The stage leads to some blatant exhibitionism, which might be frowned upon in other venues, but the atmosphere here has always been good - everyone is here for a good time, not to bitch or start an argument. It's cost me a fiver to get in, but the drinks are then reasonable. There's no thrills here. It's a basement venue that I bet doesn't look too good in broad daylight, but it's a good, honest venue and I can't wait to go back. read more

I have seen some of my favourite bands at The Borderline, and you can always be sure of actually hearing the music, because they really are quite strict about not talking during the acts (and quite right, too). You can generally be sure of a pretty laid-back, friendly crowd: it would seem that the sort of people who will enthusiastically applaud a jazz recorder solo are unlikely to stand on you or throw up on your shoes. The venue isn't the best shape for live music, unfortunately, because a large chunk of it is at an odd angle to the stage, but if you get there early you can make sure you're at the front, and the stage is low so performances feel very intimate. Last time I went, there was a teenage girl there with her dad, and it was clearly her first ever gig (Clare & The Reasons in 2008). What a great start for herit wasn't terribly crowded and the performers were happy to have a chat afterwards. read more

This was one of the first nightclubs I ever worked the door at. As a doorman I would say, great managemnet, great staff and generally good venue. More recently I attended as a customer, None of the staff I remember were there, The door staf were ok, but not as sociable as the guys I am used to. It generally didn't feel as good as it used to. still not bad though, but I used to really love this place my favourite in London in fact. read more

Rock the place A good club to see live music. A harvest for the people who are sick and tired of electronic music. The drinks are quite cheap and the ambiance is electric. read more

ended up there late friday night. pretty cool little dive bar - but no live band that night. they played what was described to me a brit pop there was a really 'interesting' crowd that night. a strange high proportion of people with costumes on... read more

My first time there was unbelievable and i won t forget it!! I went to see my idol charlie winston. I met him and enjoyed all staff!! Hope to come again. See u read more

A regular visitor of this little venue-intimate stage set up (albeit a tad small for larger bands) But nonetheless one of the few places left from the old days and a nice little bar. read more

A great little venue with an intimate feel that steps up for bigger bands. The vibe inside is great: good music, friendly towards the indie kids but not too cool for school. It's the kind of place you can go and pay attention to the band on stage rather than what everyone's wearing. And since the band on stage can a relatively local unknown group or Spoon, it's worth paying attention. read more

amazing people, music. From Miami where there are really no indie / britpop places. Had an absolutely perfect/ classic night. Place us all about the music, Not fancy but doesn't need to be. read more

This west end venue is great for up and coming bands, with a large space, stage and bar area. This great thing about this club/bar is that it's all one room, so there's no segregation, and people who just want to sit at the back and drink a beer and chat can still hear and see the live music. There's a reasonable back stage area (a seedy, graffiti back room) and the smokers have the venture up the stairs to the ground floor to smoke outside. I had my album launch here, and was great. Always packed. The only thing is the live bands have to stop at around half ten, for another night to begin with DJ's till late. It then gets extremely busy, but what isn't in the west end! Enjoy. read more

Love this place!! Had such a fun girls night there with loads of great dancing. Got pretty stuffy so if you need more than a foot or two of room to dance in on a Thursday night you may find yourself in a bit of a pinch but otherwise a great evening. Super energetic crowd. Never felt unsafe. Everyone was friendly! Good drink variety. Cheap!! read more

A tiny, intimate basement venue. Great place to see new bands. When I saw Los de Abajo there the sound quality was appalling but I think it was a one-off as the last time I went it was fine. read more

I love this venue. What a great place to watch a band! Such a tonic compared to places like wembley arena. The bands are generally less famous (although a lot of big acts have played here in the past) but the sound is fantastic and the atmosphere is usually electric. Really relaxed vibe too. I'm into more of the funky or Blues based bands and I've seen some great ones here including the likes of Peter Green and Albert Collins! I'll be there again soon..on Sept 27th for a special Blues/Funk live music night. Some great bands on. Recommended!!! read more

This was a great place, went to watch live music and it was spacious, enough room to dance without being shoved into the next person. Drinks were very reasonably priced. Nice quiet seating area at the back if that's what you into while listening to music. I would definitely recommend and I would go back there myself. read more

Santa Phwoars! There's no prob pulling a cracker in here. In fact, they hang out their stockings for you to come down their chimney - very festive. read more

Feels like I'm Going to Lose My Mind This is a good venue to watch bands. They have some good ones sometimes and a friend of mine went in and Russell Crowe's band was playing. read more

The Border This is a great place to catch a live band. It has a very casual atmosphere with the crowd just there to enjoy a nice cold pint and some good tunes. read more

At 26, I don't consider myself particularly ancient but, recently, I've found myself wondering if my fellow clubbers are actually legally allowed to be drinking or indeed out after 10pm without an adult before realising that - oh god - they're 22. My 18-year-old sister refers to "my generation" and expresses surprise that I still venture outdoors on a Friday night. So when I came across this club, I was delighted to discover that the clientele are on average 15 years older than the rest of Soho but that no matter what your age, you can still have a wicked time. If you've got Pulp's back catalogue on cassette, wear a Nirvana t-shirt without irony and can still remember all the words to the Manics' greatest hits, then this is the place for you. A haven for those of us still stubbornly stuck in the 90s, it shuns the faux-retro pretention currently infiltrating the trendier joints in town and just sticks to what it does best: churning out the classic Britpop hits and similarly-aged rock songs from across the pond. It is stuffed full of people with a like-minded aversion to squeaky-clean bars and pristine, characterless joints. Yes, the dancefloor is a little sticky and ok, I'll admit that when the lights come on, the shabbiness is revealed but this in no way detracts from what it is or tries to be. Its black walls and location in what is essentially a large basement hark back to when clubs used to be all about the music, providing shameless, easy fun and the opportunity to wave your hands in the air like you just don't care. Bear in mind that drinks prices are in line with the surrounding venues, i.e. not cheap, and it doesn't really get going until about midnight. So have a few bevvies at home and then mosey on down right about the time when your feet feel the itch to hit that dance floor. read more

Decent rock venue with a fair amount of history apparently. Extremely poor bar staff. Hilariously inept and apathetic

Great music, good drinks, cool atmosphere! Loved the nights with Questlove as DJ!