I like the vibe of this place- open, airy, lots of tables and couches and other assorted seating…read more It's located on a back street up near Dalston Junction, which is nice because you can sit outside without inhaling bus exhaust or getting run over by said bus. They have good coffee and tea and apple ginger juice in pretty bottles. The people who work there are very forgiving of hours spent on their free Internet. My only gripe is that it's nice to have a food option should one get hungry ( and let's be honest, I'm pretty much always hungry). Apparently they'll be getting real food soon. For now, my poor stomach will have to be content with cookies, mini quiche thingies, croissants, and the like, as well as excitingly flavored chips. And by chips I think I mean crisps. And by flavored I think I mean flavoured. Look how hard I'm trying! If I get killed by a bus looking the wrong way crossing the street I will be very angry with you, London. Thank God the street outside Cafe Oto is bus-free. I'm safe for now...

This cafe is a Hackney council supported venue working to promote new, underground and…read moreinternational music and culture within the community and as such deserves a big pat on the back. The great thing about Dalston is that over the years it has seen the development of many new cultural projects and is home to creative collectives who truly contribute something to the vibrant melting pot of people living in the area. Cafe Oto has a jam packed programme of musical treats over the coming months, mostly featuring international artists I have never heard of which is not only exciting to me, but proof that the cafe is working successfully towards their goal of getting exposure for talented non commercial artists. The atmosphere here hums with creativity, it is large and light with a grand piano and free WiFi. It's a little off the beaten track and a great place to relax or work over a couple of beers or a nice cake.

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.

A decent little live venue in East London, and one that is starting to get a few decent bands in…read more I saw The Asteroid # 4 last week and had a thoroughly good time. The place itself is unassuming but the staff are welcoming and efficient, and there's an Ok selection of draught beers although they could do with a couple more specialist bottles. It's not cheap I should add - £4 a pint for standard lager across the board took me by surprise. The sound system is really good in the venue area. Loud and clear and without that murky edge you so often get in smaller places. There's plenty of space to move about and, if you smoke, there is a smoking garden out the back which functions like an additional room. All in all it's a cosy and intimate place to see live music. You are close enough to the band to see what is going on and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. A good night out.

This is a cracking spot for seeing live music. The pub itself came under new management and so now…read morehas the usual Dalston hipster crowd mixed with the locals. The pub is quite big and the part out the back where the live music takes place holds around 200 people. Great sound system too. Some nights there is a cover charge and some nights are free. I saw the GIVERS here recently, which was a free event, they are now climbing the charts and getting great recognition for their cool music! So defo a place to see some great music before they get noticed by the masses!

SJQ was my introduction to Dalston, and what an intro it was!…read more As you enter SJQ, there is a welcoming and cozy bar area done up with junky knick knacks and general kitsch. There is an uncoordinated random seating area with no theme to the decor. The basement level is an intimate performance area, where you're very likely to not get a seat. We had to make do with floor seating, but it was nice. The performance wasn't a jazz recital though. The crowd is enthusiastic and keen; all very respectful of the performing artists, and mostly in awe, just like me. The staff is friendly and efficient, cleaning up quickly and quietly in the midst of the performance. The best part about the performance is that it is free, but I have heard that they have had an occasional cover charge in place. Fair enough. The cocktails are relatively cheap at £7.50, definitely worth trying. No beer on tap, but plenty of bottles, along with cider and a range of wines. To sum up, SJQ makes for a great evening, and the unique atmosphere will make your trip to Dalston truly memorable. Not to be missed for the world!

Great hipster atmosphere, great drinks, cool bartenders.... Winning!read more

Hey Haggerstone! Williamsburg called, they want their hipsters back!…read more All kidding aside, should you want to come to London and feel like you've never left Brooklyn then this is your spot. It's laid back and sure to be packed with people on a Saturday night. You'll find many folks on the back patio smoking Drum cigarettes, or in process of rolling their next. A destination worth traveling to it is not but if I lived down the block I'd be here regularly for a pint.

For a West Londoner the Haggerston is quite a trek around town. The fact that I keep coming back…read morefor more and missing my last train home speaks for the pub! The fortnightly open mic sessions in the upstairs room could easily become an addiction ... they differ from other nights in this vein in that they are very intimate. The room has the feel of a private living room (home of a member of a long standing family of East End gangsters judging by the photos on the wall), and there's usually enough chairs for everyone to sit down. What a difference this makes, no talking all over the music! Mind you, the music is exceptionally good, too. The night is hosted by Phil and Otto who between them have worked with just about every big name under the sun: Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, Ray Charles and the list goes on ... The standard of the singers and musicians who put their name on the list for the night is similarly impressive making this one of the best open mics in town. And the pub downstairs keeps serving long beyond the midnight hour. The house wine comes from a tap but is surprisingly more-ish, the selection of beers very eclectic. I've yet to arrive in time to sample some of the food - the pizzas look and smell amazing. One of my favourite pubs, just wish I lived nearby! Will definitely try and make one of their Sunday jazz nights.

So for some reason I was terrified of walking into this place. Don't ask me why, I thought it just…read moreseemed like the kind of genuine Irish pub where a fight could break out at anytime. Anyway, I soon realised that there was nothing to be scared of. This small place is a real gem that I am really happy about discovering. It is a small bar that provides a bit of escapism by taking you out of London, and into Ireland. It is such a good feeling when a pub can do that. The location is perfect, as Church Street is full of genuine shops, bars and cafes that reject tackiness and any kind of cheap imitations of culture.

When I'm feeling nostalgic for a Celtic vibe, I come down here. Its perfectly situated, on a corner…read moreof a cobblestone alley, small and inconspicuous on the outside other than the bright gold lettering spelling out the motif. Its not too crowded and has that dark cozy pub feel where you could get happily sloshed without having a lot of nobs hit on you. Its full of atmosphere, and it takes my back to undergrad years in Scotland. Thankfully its not as cold in London, which means you can sit outside in the beer garden a couple of months in a year. The joys of expatriation!

The Biddle Bros. pub has character. The reason it is so charming is because of its somewhat mildly…read moremismatched collection of paraphernalia. From old books, to the plant life, to strange pieces of art, there is no certain theme. Although mildly mismatched, it all comes together to give the place a certain personality. The glass roof/wall in the back room is something that I found very interesting. And as I said, you will not struggle to find something quirky to look at. As a live music venue it is great. The pub is split into two rooms, the room at the back is a designated live music room. Although there is no stage, there is a definite separation between the artist and the crowd, and there is a nice and intimate feeling in the room. The sound is not that great, but for such a small room it doesn't really matter. Apart from the live music, I have to say that the down stairs toilet area really is a feature. There are two small unisex cubicles, and an incredibly large room with nothing but a single sink dropped right in the middle. Talk about quirky minimalism! Just another gem that makes the Biddle Bros. what it is. The staff are a funny bunch. The may seem a little serious, but don't be fooled, they will help you out with anything you need. The live music is in abundance, with something on most nights of the week. Every Tuesday there is an open mic night, which tends to bring an eclectic mix of good musicians.

My new favourite place... why?…read more cos it ticks all the boxes, for me at least. I was a strick NW Londonite, but recently I have had to venture back to my homeland... I was born across the road from the pub. Everyone is lovely in there ranging from the staff to the punters hanging on to the bar, it is an extra-understatingly charming place that is only missing the saw dust as a relic from the Biddle's of fore... a builder's merchant as I understand. The last time I was in there, I was supposed to be playing a gig in the Picture down toward the trendy side of Hackney but as usual the Sunday Overground Service (SOS) was atrocious, I had missed the occassion and was at a loose-end as to what to do now, seeing as I had fought my way to Hackney... But then the idea Biddle's turned up and we just walked in and asked to play a few tunes, and we went down a treat on for quiet sunday... and then we partied hard, staff, clientèle, innocent bystanders, had more fun than any sunday I have ever had or at least can remember. The staff are so accommodating and the Parrot... how can I forget the Parrot. Anyway everyone was welcoming and fun to meet and the best thing is they remember my name... hope that's a good thing. go here.

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.

CallIum and Alice are elite, give em a raise Couldn't have hosted a better night, really made our…read morenight

The bar staff are amazing. I left my drinks at the bar for a moment. When I realised, I went back…read moreand they made me a fresh batch for free.

We went to the blues jam tonight. The music was very good…read more And I had a fun time singing and blowing harp. Friendly staff. Great posters! Sound level was very reasonable. The host managed all the musicians and traffic very well. Good players and singers. Howard Blu Maryland,

ain't nothing but a late night out in soho…read more... ain't nothing but a side street that also houses dishoom, clearly a distraction for anyone hungry. ain't nothing but an overflowing crowd being told outdoors drinking ceases after 10pm? ain't nothing but a one in, one out queuing system, so just stand patiently in line for entry. ain't nothing but relief from the outdoors elements in exchange for a sardines packed indoors on a monday night because there's no cover charge? ain't nothing but jostling for precious real estate as you inch yourself towards the bar to quench your thirst. ain't nothing but cashless transactions, even a cashless tipping machine, just tap and go! ain't nothing but a beer in one hand and a cup of nuts in the other, still inching ever so slowly towards the stage. ain't nothing but non stop live music and a boisterous appreciative crowd making room to groove along. ain't nothing but a long wait to poach one of a handful of tables to sit and soak in the ambience, freeing up your hands to clap! ain't nothing but enthusiastic jamming sets right up till 12.45am. ain't nothing but a good late night out in soho!