LAST UPDATED 05/02/2012
Having previously written MissJade’s guide to Alternative & Gothic Berlin I thought it was a little bad that I hadn’t written an Alternative & Gothic guide to my own hometown – London. Here are recommendations of where to go and what to do in Alternative London.
If you feel any information is incorrect or out-of-date, please comment below.
Groups
If you are a London (or nearby) resident or new to London and plan on staying a while, London Gothic is a good way to meet people and find out about events. The group’s activities range from Historical Goth Walks and Museum/Gallery trips of Gothic interest to Club pre-meets and tabletop RPG meets. A full membership costs £5 one-off and includes a discount card for a few clubs around London including many listed in the ‘Clubbing’ section below.
Edit 09/02/2011: I have been reminded to point out that it is free to participate in events. Full membership is optional but helps to support the running costs of the group.
The Queer Alternative started off as a group of London Gothic members attending pride in 2009. It has now added members from other alternative scenes including punks and metal heads and grown into it’s own, more broadly alternative culture and alternative sexuality group. So far the group is mostly organised around Pride London (usually in July) but there has been talk of other Queer Alternative events.
Shopping
Once upon a time, London’s markets were home to innovative designers run by real rebeles. Unfortunately, now they’re mostly full of cheap imports. Then the Alternative Bring and Buy popped up! Run by enthusiastic members of the Alternative scene, the Bring and Buy runs roughly once every two-four months at The Dome in Tufnell Park. Buyers typically pay 50p with free entry to London Goth Meetup Group members. Sellers include second-hand clothing and CDs, independent fashion and homeware designers and tasty treats from alternative bakers. The venue bar is typically open to buy drinks and snacks and there are DJs (including the occasional set from DJ MissJade) to play Alternative tunes and accompany shoppers.
Eating and Drinking
North London
Situated in London’s Holloway Road, arguably latest ‘Rock and Roll’ area (after Camden Town and Islington became too expensive), is American-biker-bar inspired Big Red. As well as playing Heavy Metal and Classic Rock, Big Red occasionally has Punk bands playing live so isn’t always the quietest place for a chat over a pint. Also serving really pretty good Tex Mex including properly spicy chilli con carne, vegetarian bean chilli and spare ribs.
Nearest Tube: Holloway Road (Piccadilly Line)
Located in Tufnell Park on the corner of Brecknock and Fortess road is self styled ‘Saloon Bar’ Aces and Eights. This recently opened bar serves oven-baked pizzas and although I haven’t yet visited this bar myself yet, friends have fed back that it’s definitely a good place for a drink and some food.
Nearest Tube: Tufnell Park (Northern Line)
Frankly I hate calling this pub ‘The Hobgoblin’ as to me, it will Always be ‘The Devonshire Arms’. There are rumours that the takeover process was not pretty which is odd as frankly, very little has changed. Perhaps slightly more Rock than Goth these days, the toilets are marginally better (as ‘The Dev’ they were completely disgusting) but it’s really just ‘The Dev’ without it’s soul.
Nearest Tube: Camden Town (Northern Line)
Central London
Even a rather standard small Rock Bar in London’s Chav and Business centred West End is a breath of fresh air. Decent range of drinks and not too scummy.
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road (Northern Line/Central Line)
Despite it being quite run down, I have a real soft spot for Garlic and Shots particularly in the summer. That’s because it’s probably one of the few places with beer gardens in Soho you can get a table in in the summer. It’s particularly popular with Gothy-types as the beer garden is walled so it’s cool and shady. Garlic and Shot’s food isn’t great but the shots are excellant. My favourite is the ‘Blood Shot’ which is basically an extra alcoholic, extra hot Bloody Mary shot.
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square (Northern Line/Piccadilly Line)
Another rock and roll bar that has changed massively over the last few years. Once upon a time, The Intrepid fox was a small venue in the heart of Soho’s Wardour Street and was patronised by the best of Rock and Roll: Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and the Sex Pistols. In 2006 the Intrepid Fox venue in Wordour Street was closed down but it was re-opened in St. Giles High Street in a much larger venue. Like the Hobgoblin, it’s lost a little ju ne se qua but is still a good place for a pint.
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road (Northern Line/Central Line)
Clubbing
London’s (if not the UK’s) logest running Goth Club runs every Saturday and on New Years Eve 10pm-7:30am. It grew from the seeds of a squat party in an old warehouse but in recent years both the venue and club night have greatly improved bringing band performances, multiple bar areas, three dance floors (Trad, EBM and ‘Industek’ floor), an indoor barbecue and even Goth Kareoke! The club has at times had a strict ‘members only’ policy but this is currently relaxed in favour of a Gothic/Alternative dress code. £5 members, £8 non-members.
Nearest Tube: Angel (Northern Line)
‘Industrial, Fetish, Gothic, Mayhem’ is Antichrist’s motto. A mix of club night, band performances, burlesque etc. the night runs roughly every other month from March to October, 10pm-6am at Club Colosseum. This club is not for the faint hearted as there is a Fetish element to it but at the same time it’s far from compulsory and this tends to be isolated to specific areas. There is (rather pricy) chinese food for sale and often tea and cakes available from 3am to see you through the morning. Tickets are also quite expensive at £25 on the door but tickets bought in advance range from £16-£20. This is also probably justified due to the performance and event nature of the club.
Nearest Tube: Vauxhall (Victoria Line)
‘Strictly no EBM’ is Reptiles music policy. More on the Metal/Industrial end of things, Reptile is a chance to leave those glowsticks at home! Located at the Minories with pub-priced drinks and a large outdoor space this club is a good option for smokers and summer. The club happens once a month from 9pm-3am and costs £4 before 10pm, £6 after.
Nearest Tube: Aldgate (Metripolitan Line/Circle Line) or Tower Hill (Circle Line/District Line)
Another Trad Goth night that has been moved around, Invocation currently also resides at the Minories. The club is open 10pm-3am and costs £5 before 11pm, £6 after.
Nearest Tube: Aldgate (Metripolitan Line/Circle Line) or Tower Hill (Circle Line/District Line)
Another club that has had to migrate in recent years, Dead & Buried is aimed at the Deathrock/Horrorpunk crowd. Now at the The Hackney Trashbar, Dead and Buried runs from 8pm-2am and is £6 entry!
Nearest Tube: Dalston Kingsland (London Overground) or Rectory Road Railway Station (Mainline train from Liverpool Street)
The Dev:
To add insult to injury, there is ANOTHER Hobgoblin: The Fallen Angel (near Angel, and host to the “alt.” night) still has Hobgoblin signs outside.
I think Tenebrae is dead, I’d have to check on Invocation.
Aside from the aforementioned alt., Republic is also “relatively new.”
http://www.youaretherepublic.com/
I suggest Reptile nights as on those, Reptile is the one everybody goes to, and Slimelight is the place everybody ends up. While in my opinion the music at Reptile improved lately, I’d probably go even if I hated the music because it’s such a good opportunity to socialize away from Slimes, on accounta a) nearly everybody goes, and b) “beer garden” where you can talk without screaming at each other (as you might have to in the Aces & Eights). Reptile doesn’t have the largest dancefloor, but outside of Slimes and Inferno, what is there, dancefloor-wise?
There’s Stripped which is billed as “Gay alternative”, though I never quite found out what supposed to be so alternative about it anyway, and speaking of gay, I’m a bit in two minds about AntiChrist. Having “I’m available” wristbands loses a lot of its utility if you don’t also have a “gay” signifier. I mean, you do want to get laid right there in the premises, right? Because you could dance and pull elsewhere for half the price. So for lesgoths it might not be worth going unless you bring your own date.
Oh, then there’s Departure. Nice little monthly in the Elixir bar that progresses from pubby to a little more dancy as the night wears on.
Also, let’s not forget Neo Noir in the London Stone!
OK, gotta rush, so will leave finding the sites for all these to Miss Jade or the so inclined reader.
This could do with a little update, if you have time!
Tenebrae is gone, it won’t return again.
However, on Saturday 24th March 2012, Invocation will return to the Minories (I see the guide was updated today, so you may already know this!). It won’t be monthly, though; we currently anticipate running it roughly once a quarter. The music policy is still traditional goth, post-punk and ethereal, and the prices and times are as you currently have them.
Oh, and “Tanz Macabre” doesn’t have an ‘r’ – tiny point, but it might make a difference if someone is searching for it!
You might want to put Schattenspiel in there too; Vicky Fenbane would be the person to contact for details on that.
Cheers,
Dave
” Oh, and “Tanz Macabre” doesn’t have an ‘r’ ”
…of course, that should say ” doesn’t have an ‘r’ before the ‘b’ “!