68 High Street,
Croydon,
CR0 1NA
(020) 8680 2233
The ViewLondon Review
Croydon’s haven for alternative types in search of a bit edgier than the usual Top 40 soundtrack, the Black Sheep is a noisy, sweaty but ultimately friendly DJ bar blasting out everything from dubstep to nu-metal to a crowd of young, enthusiastic aficionados. It is a members’ club, so you will need to bring identification if it’s your first time.
The Venue
It consists of one long, thin main room with a dance floor and a raised DJ booth at one end and areas for standing around and drinking (it‘s pretty low on places to sit down). The décor is mainly glowing ultraviolet lights with some neat hand done artwork here and there, including a great portrait of Jimi Hendrix. They’ve gone to town with the lights too, giving it a real club (rather than bar) feel.
The Atmosphere
Teens and twentysomethings in the main, although there are significant numbers of those in the 30-50 bracket too. On a Friday night, it’s pretty alternative so people are dressed in black jeans, Slayer/Pantera t-shirts, tattoos, studs and Metallica-style facial hair, and most sing along with every word of the songs being played and throw themselves into some energetic if non-aggressive moshing.
Full on is probably the best description, although with a family feel too - everyone seems to know everyone else, but the presence of any outsiders doesn’t raise any eyebrows either.
The Music
As well as some evidently clued-up local residents playing electro and indie and live bands playing once a week, it also attracts big names - dub legend Lee Perry has played there, and Goldie and 1Xtra’s Bailey have been booked previously. And as befits the birthplace of dubstep there’s also a weekly session called Dubkulture, complete with Run DMC-type logo.
The Drink
Shockingly cheap compared to London prices - two rounds in and you’ll recoup the cost of traveling here from zone one. A single Bells whisky and a bottle of Grolsh cost just £4.40, and depending on when you visit vodka and Red Bull can be as cheap as £2.50 and pints of Carlsberg, Tetley, Gaymers and Olde English a mere £1.50. While it’s probably fair to describe the selection as basic, it‘s certainly adequate.
The Last Word
The Black Sheep is a good antidote to mainstream chain bars and the predictable Top 40 soundtracks that go with them. It’s cheap to boot, and while the music may not be chilled, the company certainly seems so.
Black Sheep Bar has been reviewed by 3 users