An effortlessly stylish DJ bar with a fiendishly friendly vibe, Bar Vinyl comes highly recommended and makes a trip to Camden all the more worthwhile.

The Venue
Tucked away on Inverness Street and nicely separated from the maddening bustle of Camden High Street, Bar Vinyl is a nice little retreat that gets hideously funky when it wants to. There’s a small seated area to the front which proves a popular place to watch the freaks go by, whilst the interior’s limited space is exceptionally well used. There’s not a huge amount of seating but it does include comfy sofas nicely positioned in front of a retro fire, and the busy evenings make the efficient layout very welcome. Bar Vinyl’s Camden cool can’t really be bettered. Funky urban illustration and quality local art adorn the walls, and the minimal beats enthusiastically played both in the bar and downstairs in the record store make everything feel effortlessly cool.

The Atmosphere
As you’d expect from Camden, it’s a mixed bunch that frequent Bar Vinyl. But also as you’d expect from Camden, they’re a receptive lot, so don’t be surprised to see cyber goths bobbing their heads to some funky house, or tattooed skater boys chatting to Camden newbies. The bar staff are some of the best you’ll find in London, happy to engage in amusing conversation and happy to foster the friendly atmosphere that makes it such an appetising place. Evenings get pretty busy and can even boast Monday night DJ competitions hosted by the legend that is Normski. Otherwise, the emphasis throughout the week is eclectic, so expect anything from drum n bass to jazz to hip-hop to soul.

The Food
In keeping with the diversity of its surroundings, there’s a varied menu with dishes from most corners of the world. Wok fried egg noodles sit alongside baked potatoes with chilli con carne and toasted paninis, and the standard of food is good - and exceptional compared with much of Camden’s spurious offerings. The pizzas are the most interesting though, with exotic toppings matched by exotic names. Don’t be put off by ordering a Crack Whore – the mix of tomatoes, mozzarella, fish fingers and salt and vinegar crisps is surprisingly tasty. Similarly, the Cross Fader’s topping of red peppers, honeyed goats cheese and rosemary is very good indeed.

The Drink
The usual suspects flow from the tap, including Staropramen, Guinness and Grolsch, whilst Corona, Budvar, Magners and Red Stripe can be found chilling in the fridge. The house wine is acceptable, and at £3.00 a glass not too pricey but it’s the cocktail list that really gets the tongues wagging. Again, it’s full of suitably trendy pop references and puns, so when you hear someone demanding a Randy Warhol don’t be too surprised. And there’s every chance that you will hear people order the Vinyl Richie – an exquisite mix of chocolate liqueur, Chambord, Cocomania, milk and cream. Shooters and traditional cocktails also keep things ticking over nicely.

The Last Word
You never really know what you’re going to find in Camden, but now you can rest assured that if you head to Bar Vinyl you’re in for a very special treat indeed.

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