Favourite London Venues
Hi everyone, I'm thinking of putting on some Maps gigs in London over the summer. I've got a few venues in mind already, but I was wondering which were people's favourite (& least favourite) venues.

I like: 93 Feet East - excellent sound, professional staff, good location Spreadeagle/Catch - both have great atmosphere for small gigs G-Lounge, Camden - odd new venue, but great sound, easy to get to I don't particularly like: Rhythm Factory - soulless, rubbish sound due to masses of concrete Pleasure Unit - nice enough, but no passing trade means it's often empty Colour Bar, Camden - good atmosphere, but cheap PA and pricey bar Windmill, Brixton - it's a glorified shed really Paul, feel free to give us a shout if you need a nice noisy band for these shows, as we're keen to show off our new drummist :)

I like 93 Feet too - we put on one of our Tsunami gigs there & all the bands commented on how great the sound was. Must say that I like the Windmill too - admittedly it's not much to look at, but I've always enjoyed the atmosphere there. I'll check out the Spreadeagle & G-Lounge - I've not been to either as yet. G-Lounge seems to be putting some decent bands on at the moment though.

93 Feet East is a good venue.Sound is very good but drinks are club prices (£3.50 for a can of Red Stripe) Brixton Windmill is an excellent venue. I was there for the BBQ All Dayer in April and the sound was great (the guy doing it seemed like a pro.). Great selection of beer at pub prices too. I've been to the Spreadeagle a number of times and have been very often disappointed with the sound. But I do like the atmosphere there. Bethnal Green Pleasure Unit is a great little venue but , as Tim says, it tends to be very quiete. Other venues i'd recommend are: 12 Bar (Denmark Street) Cargo (Rivington Street) The Spitz (Commercial Street) The venue I would NOT recommend is the Elbow Rooms in Islington. If it gets busy then the only people who can see the stage are those at the front. There's plenty of venues not even mentioned on here yet which are really really good. You (Maps) should say which ones you have in mind for feedback.

The main ones that I had in mind were: Luminaire 93 Feet East Spitz Windmill Metro 100 Club I've put gigs on at most of those before & they were all pretty good. I'm always interested to find somewhere new though - in my trawls around the interent I found these, which I've not been to before but sound fun/interesting: The Bedford (Balham) The Miller (London Bridge) The Crypt (Camberwell) Bloomsbury Bowling Lane Ginglik (Shepherd's Bush) Anyone been to a gig at any of these?

I've not been to any of those. Yet. But a friend of mine has this to say about the Bloomsbury Bowling Alley. "Bloomsbury Bowling Alley is a great venue.. Good place and good sound.."

The drinks prices at 93 are shocking, aren't they? Nice venue other than that. And the beer garden is perfect for a few lagers in the sunshine before commencement of giggage.

i like big venues! i mean there not practical for these nights but shepards bush ICA ULU my 3 favourite venues in london i do like 93 feet east aswell and cargo

My absolute worst venue is Hammersmith Apollo - just because of the rubbish bar service - but that's off the topic...

i really like the old blue last off of old street. its 120 capacity which is a nice size for a small band. and its situated at an easy place to get to in london. its got a nice 'vibe' as well. my only criticisms is that the bar is a bit pricey and the regulars tend to be mulleted-hair types who think they are on a pemanant guestlist for everywhere. the couple of times i've worked on the door i've always got hassle off of people. my least favourite venue is nambucca. its too big, hard to get to, rubbish sound, expensive. and the last time i played there the evil witch promoter screwed us out of some money. loads of people seem to like it, but i don't know why. the venue basement is good aswell but being in south london people don't want to travel there.

After last night I'd like to reiterate my point about the Brixton Windmill having terrible sound. "The Brixton Windmill has terrible sound" There.

I was at the Waterrats in Kings Cross last night. The sound was excellent. So I would like to add this venue to my list.... :D

nambucca is EASY to get to. it's on the northern line and only 3 stops from camden. its door prices are amongst the cheapest in london as are its bar prices (i paid £2.40 for a pint last time i was there. carling was even cheaper but, well, it was carling). the old blue last is difficult to get to and difficult to find, and full of absolute wankers. ditto cargo and rhythm factory. the windmill is probably the best for overall cheapness, great atmosphere and line ups, and being on the victoria line it's easy to get to overall as well.

places i have annoyed promoters in...
I like: The Comedy (near where I work and small and decent sound). The Old Blue Last (amusing crowd who are easy to abuse from the stage, easy to get to and nearby parking) The Windmill (nto greatest sound but great fun to play) The Venue (new cross is a downside, but has a good sound and decor, but can be lonely if not busy). Buffalo Bar (can look lonely when half full, and very hot when full but good to play and easy parking). Betsey Trotwood (small and nice, but perhaps too small for most bands) I don't like: Upstairs at The Garage (smells weird and is hot, plus is a good back room to hide in). Lark in The Park (rubbish sound, stage is in the wrong place, weird kids outside in park). The New Cross Inn (silly place to hold gigs, the £1 night was good when I was a student though).

Anyone here been to the Camden Underworld?