Subterranean and grimy, Moustache Bar is a not-so-well-kept Dalston secret: party heads, nerds and pretty much everyone else is welcome to this hidden basement bar.

The Venue
There is only a moustache sign to signal the presence of Moustache Bar. If you add that the venue occupies the basement of a hairdresser and that the sign could advertise this rather than a bar, it becomes clear why people can walk past blissfully unaware. The diminutive door is flung open only at night but a group of huddled smokers usually indicates a party is in session.

Head down the red staircase, lit by tongue-in-cheek lamps made out of bowler and top hats, and you will enter a basement bar, which truly feels like a secret venue decked out with large maps, a collage of postcards, photos, posters and artwork, all of which are glued on the walls (and ceiling) in semi-random order. Oh, and moustaches are painted on for good measure. The chaos is not pretty but it is atmospheric and full of personality. ‘Found furniture’ completes the roughshod vibe, so take a seat and enjoy a late drink or the tunes.

The Atmosphere
The venue is a pretty small, rectangular basement room in which you can expect to mingle with everyone else. This means that the space becomes nicely intimate when they have monthly stand-up comedy or for the weekly jazz jam session. They also have occasional DJ nights dropping an Italo disco vibe, indie or even gay rockabilly (yes, really).

The clientele is a mix of Dalstonians but there is, refreshingly, very little attitude or pretentiousness floating about. Most people are just looking for a good time without the need to dress up. However, the feeling remains that those who make it down are in-the-know.

The Drink
The laid-back attitude could not be more evident than in the sparse drink list. Prices are as simple as they could get and so are the options. Do not expect much in the way of sophistication, but then, a mustachioed man would not really appreciate a chocolate martini, right? All beers are affordable at £3, ciders are £4, glasses of wine £3, bottles £13 and shots £2.50. They also serve party-starting mixes like Jager Bomb and vodka and Red Bull (£4).

The Last Word
Moustache Bar offers somewhere to party, get a late drink and will entertain you along the way, all good reasons to pay a visit if you’re in the area.

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