This uniquely decorated up-and-coming gig venue in Dalston is definitely worth a trip.

The Venue
Situated a short walk from Kingsland High Street in Dalston, the Shacklewell Arms is away from the main hustle and bustle - a good thing. Step inside and you'll find a surprisingly large venue that you wish you'd stumbled upon before. This formerly relatively low-key pub has been taken over (the new owners are involved at The Lock Tavern and Field Day) and it is now an up-and-coming gig and club night venue. It has bit of a random decor – there's a very wooden pub-like area at the front with a small bar and pool table, a passage leading to the back that goes into a small room for gigs, and an impressive outside area with a sound-proof roof to keep the neighbouring residents happy. This outside section has a beach theme to it; there's a large well-like water feature and the walls are covered in paintings of trees and the sea. Large plants, a concrete floor and plastic chairs around tables with chequered plastic table clothes complete a very unique setting. There's a TV screen outside, too.

The Atmosphere
This changes a lot depending on the night that's held and what part of The Shacklewell Arms you're actually in. The front section is very relaxed and pub-like, while the gig section can get really packed if there's a relatively famous act on. Due to its location, the venue attracts a mixed bag. It attracts trendy twenty and thirty-something Dalstonites, alongside locals who live in the immediate vicinity and want somewhere to play pool over a pint. Staff are friendly whatever the hour of the day (the back section of the venue is licensed until 6am and often stays open until 4am on Friday or Saturday nights). Also, while there are gig nights at the weekend, week nights see film sessions and barbecues as well as the odd jumble sale on a Sunday.

The Music
The venue plays host a variety of different club nights and bands playing gigs. Expect to hear anything and everything from techno, electro, house and garage to R&B, dubstep and popular indie tunes. It totally depends on who is holding the night. Former acts that have played at the venue are Beyonce Knowles' sister, The Horrors and The xx, among a multitude of different local acts. Despite the big names and secret gigs that have taken place at the venue, it's never usually more than a fiver to get in.

The Food
A food menu could be on the cards soon, however, the bar currently serves what it terms ‘grub’ – rolls (£2) and pitta with chips (£1), as well as crisps, nuts, scratchings and cockles (£2.50).

The Drink
The venue has an impressive drinks selection for what was formerly a pretty run-down pub. As well as Fosters, Kronenbourg, Strongbow, Guinness and Heineken on tap, the bar serves Copper Dragon ale and Hogan’s cider. Bottles include Sol, Becks, Bulmers and Red Stripe. Pints are around £3.60 or, if you hit up happy hour from 5pm on Monday to Friday, you can get a selected pint for £2. The wine selection is pretty average and includes bottles of shiraz, merlot and sauvignon blanc. Glasses start at £3.70, while a decent bottle costs around £15.

The Last Word
With a decent selection of booze, a tucked-away location, a remarkable outside space and, most importantly, a diverse roster of music events, the Shacklewell Arms is making all the right moves.

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