Do you love visiting raw venues that no one else seems to know about? You're just the person Korsan aims to please.

The Venue
Situated on the stretch of Kingsland Road between Shoreditch and Dalston, Korsan is quite hard to reach for people not from the area, especially as it looks as if it's just been plonked in the midst of a residential estate. However, it’s on a main road and if you're willing to do your research there's a bus stop nearby.

There's something about the external appearance of this bar that’s dark and gothic, thanks mainly to the caged front. Don't be fooled. Just through the main doorway is a massive, dimly lit area of outdoor seating. The interior is reasonably sized, too. The bar is located in the centre of the space and there's an area at the back for watching a band and a selection of raised sofa seating and smaller round tables with chairs to sit on. If it's a polished venue you're after, this is definitely not a place for you – everything is raw and unfinished and looks a lot like Shoreditch bars did in the good old days.

The Atmosphere
Korsan attracts a mix of trendy Hoxton and Shoreditch twentysomethings in thick-rimmed glasses and skinny jeans alongside cooler cats who have moved further up the road in to Dalston. That said, the crowd is entirely dependent on the night – if a particular DJ is playing techno and electro then you're likely to see a bunch of people who care less about what they're wearing and more about the music.

The bouncers are friendly and the staff inside change depending on the night but generally seem to be enjoying the party as much as the people who have paid to get in.

The Music
The music at Korsan varies considerably depending on the night so it’s wise to plan ahead. The bar is popular for house and techno nights but it's not solely the case. A lot of club promoters use the venue to promote new nights such as The Dig. This is a monthly night that showcases musicians, filmmakers, poets, artists and writers and has interactive activities alongside electro, indie and alternative bands that play at the back of the venue.

The Drink
Due to its location, drinks at Korsan are reasonably priced. A beer costs around £3-£4 for a pint or bottle and it's around the same for a single spirit and mixer. The bar is also well stocked. Draught options include Guinness, Fosters, Strongbow and Kronenbourg and bottles such as Stella, Hoegaarden, Becks, Bud, Leffe, Peroni, Magners, Corona and Newcastle Brown Ale. There are also Bacardi Breezers and Smirnoff Ice. The wine offering is pretty basic and there are only a couple of bottles to choose from.

The Last Word
Raw, dark and dirty - just the way the music loving cool cats who visit Korsan like it.

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