One of Shoreditch's shining lights, Cargo is quirky, appealing and home to some of East London's best-loved club events.

The Venue
Cargo can be found on Rivington Street, under a disused railway bridge off Shoreditch High Street, and is about a ten-minute walk from Old Street tube station. The main glass-fronted entrance sits under an arch and gives way to a reception area where, to the left hand side, you will see the restaurant section of the venue. Positioned around the small, walled-off kitchen area, this informal area can seat several parties in relative comfort, and is made up of chunky wooden tables and communal benches. The larger bar area is to be found behind the reception desk, and is invariably plunged into obscurity by low lighting and candles. Leather sofas and banks of cushions line the walls, whilst in the middle of the room, rows of thin tables and tall bar stools allow for intimate tete-a-tetes over a drink or two. The bar itself extends the length of the right-hand wall, and impresses with a vast and brightly-lit array of bottles, knick-knacks and curios.

Both the bar and the restaurant are stylishly decorated with framed black and white prints, posters of upcoming events and specially commissioned artwork; otherwise the stone walls are left unfurnished, which lends the establishment a rough, unadulterated charm. Both rooms lead to an expansive outdoor area. Made of wooden slats and latticed fences, this area is perfect for relaxing on a summer’s evening, and has been lavishly decorated with colourful murals, benches, tree-trunk-style seats, a photo booth and even a small wooden hut for the more agoraphobic visitor. Last but not least, right at the back of the building is the club space, separated from the bar area by a stone arch, with a stage, dancefloor, cinema screen and full PA set-up to the left and another bar, practically identical to the first, to the right – this is where bands and DJs perform and film screenings are held, all set under a vaulted stone roof and a giant mirrorball.

The Atmosphere
Despite being pretty much Ground Zero for the Shoreditch scene, the atmosphere at Cargo is never anything less than warm and all-inclusive. The staff are friendly and hospitable, with an excellent taste in background music, and the customers are youthful, vibrant and generally a likable bunch. There are events scheduled almost nightly in the performance area, with DJs, films, bands, films about bands, and bands playing along to films, sometimes all on the same night! Often free of charge and always a complete success, these nights are well-attended and definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Along with the skankier 93 Feet East and the nearby Hoxton Bar and Grill, Cargo is one of Shoreditch's leading music venues, and regularly boasts some big names in its upcoming schedule. It is also reserved for high-profile launches, after-parties and exhibitions.

The Music
From Beardyman and Nathan Flutebox performing live to the hottest new bands shaking the venue to its foundations, Cargo has built up a reputation as a revered underground music establishment. Depending on the night you might hear anything from indie and punk, to drum and bass and hip hop, or techno and house. Whatever the weather, the music will be on point.

The Food
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service and provides everything from hunger-quelling bar snacks such as vine leaves, haloumi kebabs and calamari rings (£2.95-£5.25) to giant 4-person platters (£12.50) that can cater to seasoned carnivores and vegetarians alike. There are consistently delicious pizzas (£6.95), burgers (£6.25) and sandwiches (try the falafel and flatbread combo at £6.25) to choose from, but the real delicacies are the salads, which offer exotic and unusual melanges in generous portions for just over £5. The warm, shredded chicken and pomegranate dish is highly recommended.

The Drink
A small but inspired selection of reds, whites, roses and Champagnes make up the in-house wine list. A glass of Isla Negra house red or white won't break the bank at £3.35 a glass, whilst Tempranillo, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio are all represented at reasonable prices. Even a glass of Devaux Grand Reserve Champagne will only set you back £6.75. Popular cocktails and shooters are expertly rustled up on request at the main bar, and although only Amstel beer is available on tap, there’s a great cross-section of bottled beer from the Continent, such as Estrella Damm, Budvar and Aspall's Cider (£3.25 - £4) to satisfy the connoisseur.

The Last Word
A consistently excellent venue with live music, decent food and an atmosphere to rival any found in neighbouring bars, it's easy to see why Cargo has such a prestigis reputation in the heart of Shoreditch.

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