In search of an eclectic, chilled hangout with live music? Follow the cool cats and head to the European-inspired Bar 23 in Dalston.

The Venue
Sat on Stoke Newington High Street, just a short walk from Dalston Kingsland Station, Bar 23 is easy to find, situated in the centre of the ever-growing Dalston scene. From the outside, the circular tables and chairs, red frontage and large windows make the venue look more like a cafe. However, don't be fooled - this is definitely a bar.

Once inside, you'll be taken aback by the randomness of the decor – the wooden chairs give a European feel to the space and it almost feels as if you've stepped into a bar abroad. There are books, weird instruments, a record player, film reels, an African drum, modern looking mirrors, TV screens with music videos playing and lights on the floor. There doesn't seem to be a theme to the bar, other than anything goes.

Wander through to the back of the bar – passing another small seating area with some interesting artwork on the wall – and you'll enter a back smoking room. Decorated in the same way as the rest of the bar, with the addition of a Turkish flag giving away the nationality of the place and muticoloured spotty walls, there are a few tables and chairs to sit on and it's part covered and reasonably warm.

The Atmosphere
Although Bar 23 can be really quiet during the week when it acts as a hangout for the friends of the staff, the atmosphere changes dramatically at the weekend, when it gets packed. Expect to find a mix of twentysomething skinny-jean wearing hipsters alongside locals who are fully into the music scene, and usually have something to do with the music playing that night.

The staff are friendly and relaxed – don't get impatient about your drink taking forever, they have a very laid back attitude here. Despite being an undoubtedly cool bar at the weekend, this is an unpretentious place - nobody cares about what you’re wearing, they just want to have a good time.

The Music
This is definitely not the place to come if you want to listen to commercial music. Bar 23 successfully mixes up genres to complement Dalston's famous jazz and reggae reputation alongside the newest indie and electro influences. The bar plays host to live music every Thursday and, on these nights, expect to hear live Latin, afro jazz, soul, jazz and reggae. Every other Saturday, they have an event called Our Friend's Eclectic, which is a night where DJs have complete freedom on the decks, playing whatever they please.

The Drink
The drink selection isn't amazing at Bar 23, but it's very European-inspired. Whilst the prices aren't particularly cheap, they're average for the area's new up-and-coming bars. The only cider on offer is the sweet, mainstream Bulmers, and beers include Becks, Stella, Corona, Peroni, Sol, Efes, Guinness, Leffe Dark and Leffe Blonde, Bud and San Miguel in bottles and Fosters, Kronenbourg and Krombacher on draught. All cost around £3.50-£4. There's a reasonable selection of spirits. The wine selection is limited, but costs about £3 a glass.

The Last Word
If you love random, eclectic and relaxed bars then you'll have a great time at Bar 23.

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