Cargo Review

Nestled under the railway arches in the heart of Shoreditch is Cargo. You'll have heard of Cargo before, even if you've never been. A staple of the East End, it offers gigs, exhibitions, club nights plus gourmet burgers, light bites, decent wine and beer, lesser well-known daytime meal deals, and free wifi. In all honesty, though, you’re far more likely to swing by here at night. You can drink (and smoke) in the extensive beer garden – which stretches out beyond the arches - before moving indoors to watch the band or get down to some of the eclectic club nights.

The night Fluid visited, the Fiery Furnaces were playing to a packed crowd. The railway arches make for a great atmosphere and good acoustics, whilst the high stage provides an alternative to the standard gig experience of gazing at the back of a tall man’s head. Gritty artwork and huge air conditioning pipes add to the urban hip, maintaining Cargo’s spot at the centre of the Shoreditch scene. Just don your checked shirt and you’ll fit right in.

The menu ranges from platters of tapas to seasonal salads. Fluid tucked into the sharing board for two which claimed to feed three comfortably. Not quite, we'd say, and recommend it for two (or one very hungry person!). Food prices are pretty reasonable, although more so during the lunchtime specials period. Beefburgers and gourmet sandwiches are around £6.50 and there’s Latin inspired bites ranging from Mexican quesadillas and burritos to perfectly cooked strips of calamari in alioli. We weren’t keen on the stuffed vine leafs, but the mixed platter provided some decent evening snackage for us and worked out as far better value than ordering separate tapas.

The drinks menu has more variety than your average boozer including a couple of ciders and beers; ranging from Amstell to Bavarian Konig Ludwig Hefe-weizen. Wine is better value by the bottle from the short but satisfactory wine list, and if shooters and cocktails are more you’re style they’re available from the main bar.

The beauty of the venue lies in its variety. You can have a quiet drink, or a brief slap-up meal, or you can stay around for some live music and, on weekends, get your groove on: anything from cheese to samba with free entry on Fridays. In the heart of the hottest part of town, Cargo has a good night for every taste.
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Kimberley Smith 13 Oct 2009

Customer Reviews for Cargo

Average (based on 6 votes): 6 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Cargo.

“If you are between the age of 18 and 22 you would probalby love this place, its packed with young people. The cloakroom is in the middle of an entrance / exit and the dance floor, there is a constant queue of people snaked along the seating area and dance floor. The bouncers are extremely rude, we had booked an area for a farewell, the area happend to be in line with the cloackroom, one of the bouncers pushed us, literally one of the girls actually almost fell over and told us not to stand in the way, a simple please move would have been a better option, when we asked him not to push us, he just shouted back, well then do what i say! arrogant comes to mind. The toilets are disgusting!!!!!!!young girls hanging around in the loo's for hours in large groups. I would just say, depending on what type of night you looking for consider these points. the outside area and reserved areas are nice and large.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
BM, London (6 months 2 days ago)

“Very disappointed with the managers decision. We've been coming to Cargo after work for a few weeks now - always returning as we have been allowed in with our Westie (office dog, so part of the work team really). We did ask if we could come in the first time and it's never been a problem. Suddenly tonight the manager (who couldn't be asked to get off his ... and speak to us himself) sent a bouncer over who could only give the answer "because the manager said guide dogs only". Upon approaching the manager about this "new" decision - told it's because of a licenSe - Totally false - It's ALWAYS at the managers discretion. Our dog is very well behaved and while at Cargo have been approached many times for photo's / to pet etc. (ps - we have NEVER taken her inside the bar - we've always kept her outside in the garden).”
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SLP, London (2 years 8 months 5 days ago)

“I spent my 31st birthday here and was looked after so well! We booked an area and were looked after by a lovely waitress... This bar has everything, Great music, friendly staff, excellent atmosphere and wicked art work in the outside smoking patio - can't wait til summer, this place will be great! Can't really say anything bad about this place... It's unpretentious, but very cool, one of the better venues in oh-so-cool Shoredich. It got pretty busy, but that's a good thing?! Will be returning again and again!”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
mo, london (3 years 2 months 14 days ago)

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Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Global
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: Shoreditch Bars Group