Cameos has upped its profile and is fast becoming the worst kept secret of Oxford Circus. London revellers have come to rely on it for their guaranteed uninhibited nights out on the town.

The Venue
Cameos is an undersized, underground spot with one room and one bar. The room (with extremely dim lighting) is lined with mirrors, has a small roped-off VIP area and two separate entrances, both of which end up spilling over with bopping partygoers who haven’t quite found enough space to exhibit their moves inside. The limited seating area opposite the lengthy bar serves as a chill out area – it doesn’t have many tables but runs alongside a big screen showing music videos. There’s a cloakroom, well kept toilets and a strict door policy. Whilst it will never be labelled a classy place, its modesty and undercover feel is a huge part of its charm.

The Atmosphere
Frequented by a ghetto-glamorous throng, Cameos boasts a bubbling, almost tangible environment. Nobody is left propping up the bar or lining the walls – not when there’s a dancefloor to be graced! A youthful mix having sexy fun (without the drunken demeanour that usually accompanies this sort of nightlife freedom) is irresistible. You’re provided with the excuse you need to get all dressed up and this is the perfect place to end an evening of bar-hopping – it opens at 10pm but things don’t start heating up until closer to midnight.

The Music
A satisfying mix of old and new tunes, the Cameos crowd are pelted with slow jams, hip hop, RnB, bashment and soca until at least 4am. On occasion, MCs feature but the regular DJ really knows how to work the clubbers and keep their energies up. Wednesdays are almost exclusively kept for bashment and there is no better place than here to pick up the hottest Jamaican dance craze.

The Drink
Unless you’re partying hardcore with a bottle of Moet or two, drinks here are priced fairly and in keeping with London’s attitude towards the drinkers and thinkers – you won’t want to get sloshed in this establishment. With an entry fee priced at around £10 before midnight, more thereafter, this is a good thing!

The Last Word
Cameos shines best for a particular breed of Londoner: the rhythmic and the fashionably late – particularly those with bashment at heart.

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