83 Rivington Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
EC2A 3AY
0872 148 3666
The ViewLondon Review
Cargo tries to be all things to all people – a restaurant, a live music venue, a club, a bar – it manages to do them all passably well, but the Shoreditch-cool kids are always after the latest trend and it won’t take much to make them move on.The VenueCentrally located in the Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, Brick Lane triangle, Cargo is easy to find under the railway arches on Rivington Street, just off Shoreditch High Street and close to Old Street or Liverpool Street stations.
Inside, the venue is divided into the club and bar areas, with comfy seating on offer in the bar and a minimalist, urban-chic decor. The interior isn’t exciting, but this place gets so packed all you’ll notice is there are places to dance and chill out in.
The AtmosphereThe vibe at Cargo is chilled out and relaxed, though not as trendy as it once was. The Shoreditch location gives away which clientele to expect – skinny jeans and Converse trainers are the order of the day, best go for a student retro look rather than appearing over-dressed, although you’ll spot the after-work crowd in here, too. The bar staff can sometimes be sullen and look like they’d rather be somewhere else, but they tend to get friendlier as the night goes on.
The MusicThe music policy at Cargo is varied and exciting, with live sets from top-name DJs and indie bands, and music from funk, hip hop, and reggae to dance and retro. From big New York heroes to East London guitar boys, this place stands out for its music and will entice you onto the dancefloor. Beware though, it gets packed and boiling hot as the night wears on!
The DrinkThere’s nothing unusual on the drinks menu, but you’ll find most of your favourite cocktails if you can persuade the bar staff to make them – they seem more comfortable opening a bottle of beer for you. Prices certainly aren’t extortionate for the area though, with cocktails at around a fiver.
The Last WordCargo still offers great things musically, but to stay at the top of its game in this East London locale it needs to offer better food and drink, and friendlier staff.