Old Street Records (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Old Street Records:

1) You know that time during a night out in London, when you’ve had too many drinks to count, and someone brings out a guitar? It’s time to all sing an Oasis song (personally, I like to go for Wonderwall, but each to their own…)

2) Old St Records bar in Shoreditch caters directly for that exact moment, when you want to throw your arms around strangers standing next to you and singalong to songs you haven’t listened to for at least 20 years.

3) As it gets later, a band plays classic tunes and you easily make nicely tipsy, new friends as the whole place turns into a packed out informal karaoke session. This isn't unusual, they have live music every day of the week here.

4) While it isn't the trendiest place in Shoreditch, but it’s friendly and easygoing. The crowd is loud and safely in their late twenties, thirties and further, and clearly enjoying themselves.

5) The lighting is low, the walls are bare bricks and there are lots of bar staff whizzing around to serve you quickly at the bar or at your table. 

6) They have an extensive cocktail menu and a friendly 2-for-1 happy hour (well, in fact, three happy hours from 5pm until 8pm).

7) For food they keep it real simple. You’re not here for gastronomy but for merriment. You can have pizza and that’s it.

8) The pizza arrives oozing with enough cheese to satisfy the biggest dairy craving, and a portion size to helpfully sop up all the cocktails you will be consuming.

9) Old St Records also has a secret in the basement, which like me, you might stumble onto while questing for the toilet. They have more live music but a completely different feel to upstairs: more underground jazz bar than singing along to “Kiss me” by Sixpence None The Richer. While it’s impossible to walk across the upstairs bar without casually pressing against complete strangers, downstairs is relatively quiet so can offer you a completely different experience if that’s what you want.

10) All in all, Old St Records is loud, busy and if you join in, you will enjoy it. ...read more