295 Upper Street,
Islington,
London,
N1 1RU
0872 148 1241
Note: Calls cost 10p per min plus network extras.
The ViewLondon Review
The Buffalo Bar is an intimate, independent live music venue on Highbury Corner with an impressive selection of club nights and fruit vodkas.
The Venue
The Buffalo Bar is a stone’s throw from Highbury and Islington station and has a subtle, unassuming frontage, advertising the night’s bands on a blackboard outside. A friendly but burly doorman greets you at the door and guides you to the desk where your entrance fee will be taken and a hand stamp given. At the bottom of a set of stairs you will see the band directly ahead, who you’ll no doubt have heard on your way down. Dark red walls, brown velvet couches and large indoor foliage are all dimly lit, with swirly wall projections to complete the ambience.
The Atmosphere
It’s not long ago that The Buffalo Bar would have been the classic, smoke-filled live music hangout, but it is altogether cleaner on the lungs these days. This does nothing to diminish the music-loving vibe from the punters, staff, and performers, who range in age from painfully trendy indie and EMO kids, to thirtysomething band fans and aging rockers, all keen to support London’s up and coming bands in their quest for glory. Getting friendly with the crowd and the bands is more or less compulsory, thanks to the cosy size of the venue – you’re never more than 20 feet away from the band wherever you stand.
The Music
A refreshingly diverse range of club nights are on throughout the month, including salsa, Crimes against Pop and Hillbilly Hop. A classic pinball machine is on hand for alternative entertainment.
The Drink
Tins of real fruit are stacked behind the bar in preparation for concocting the most delicious of fruit vodkas, including strawberry, cherry, pear, pistachio, and choc-mint. There’s no draught beer available at The Buffalo Bar, but the bottled beer selection makes up for this with Budweiser, Peroni, Tiger and San Miguel all on offer. Spirits and red or white wine are also available at very generous prices.
The Last Word
The Buffalo Bar is independent in every sense, and guaranteed to yield a unique night out if you want a break from the norm.