Charterhouse

Farringdon was once the club capital of London. But since the demise of Turnmills there is one less reason to come to this City enclave, the home of he who ‘works hard and plays hard’. Instead you’d probably say that Dalston holds that crown these days, even without what you may deem to be its own ‘super club’. But, all this means is that the bars in the Farringdon area have upped their game to offer a slice of club-life-lite to all those looking for late night action.

The Charterhouse is a prime mover in the late night Farringdon scene and has been for as long as anyone can remember. Maybe even before Fabric was around the corner? Its popularity has always seemed to represent a collection of clubbers waiting to move on somewhere else only to be swayed by the charms of this smooth operator. Perhaps it’s the unusual Flat Iron-esque shape of the building that does it, or its friendly staff, or the surprisingly good pub grub or simply, those opening hours. In truth, we find that the appeal is a combination of them all. In a London where everything has gone New York, the Charterhouse remains unflinchingly Farringdon (Flat Iron shape excluded). And if that means three-hour happy hours, a clientele who treat every night like it’s a Friday and three different levels of music, then sign us up.

Weekends; at the Charterhouse, they are long and drunken. Opening until 4am both Friday and Saturday it’s not unusual to find the bar playing substitute to shattered Fabric dreams. Drinks include a range of cocktails, affordable Prosecco and house Champagne, Becks Vier, and not to appear too uncultured, Camden Pale Ale on draught. DJs play anything from deep house to ‘Someone feat. Calvin Harris’, and they play throughout the night.

Don’t mistake the Charterhouse for something decadent and exclusive but for parties, big groups and big nights out, the Farringdon Flat Iron has game.