18 Kentish Town Road,
Camden,
London,
NW1 9LJ
The ViewLondon Review
It's not the sleekest music venue in the area but, if you love great music and couldn't care less where you're listening to it, visit Camden Rock.
The Venue
Sat at the bottom of Kentish Town Road, a stone’s throw from Camden Town tube station, this bar has a great location. From the outside, it looks pretty sleek with a modern sign displaying the bar’s name. Step inside a small side door, however, and it’s a different story. There’s a reasonable-sized bar area running down one side, a few small stools and a couple of sofas to sit on, as well as a stage area in one corner. Despite a couple of random pieces of artwork and flyers, it's really plain-looking and needs a bit of a revamp to make it stand out from neighbouring music venues. There are even signs indicating it was once a minicab hire office.
Although the toilets have improved slightly over the years - many will remember how grungy the place was as a 90s metal venue back in the day - they’re still pretty grimy and you’re lucky if you get paper and/or a seat, and the swinging saloon-style doors can be tricky to lock, too. If you want to smoke, there’s a small cordoned-off area in a car park behind the venue. It’s not exactly fancy, but at least the venue tries.
The Atmosphere
This can change a lot depending on the night. Most people visiting the venue do so to see a specific act or to listen to a particular type of music they like, so there’s generally a very happy vibe. Expect to see everyone from people dressed in street wear to the trendiest skinny jeans and Pete Doherty-inspired outfits – it really does attract a huge range of different people watching a massive variety of music. Door staff are friendly, while bar tenders take a very relaxed approach to serving – don’t expect to get your drink in a hurry.
The Music
The venue plays host to a huge variety of nights. There are DJs every night, playing everything from club classics and house music to 80s soul and chart pop. There are live gigs several days a week, too, and what’s on can vary from night to night. In the past, the venue has showcased folk music, R&B acts, rock bands and electro DJs. Unless you’re going to see something specific, it’s best to check the venue’s line-up before you turn up. Sometimes they charge on the door, too.
The Drink
When it comes to drink, don’t expect anything amazing and there’s nothing on draught. Cans and bottles are £3.50 and the choice is pretty bog standard, including favourites such as Guinness, Strongbow, Carlsberg, Stella, Bud and Red Stripe. The wine is drinkable, but there’s no choice other than just red or white. A single spirit and mixer is around £3.50.
The Last Word
Okay, so this place isn’t for everyone. But if you’re seeing a band or a DJ you love, who cares about the surroundings?
Camden Rock has been reviewed by 9 users