Charlie Wright's

The question on everybody’s lips: just who is Charlie Wright? Well, Charlie Wright was an old boxing hero from the 1940’s and a local hero in these parts. And since his name was the nickname given to this bar anyway, when they needed a fresh start back in 1992 they ripped off the old sign and put Charlie Wright’s name above the door. From local legend to your own eponymous music lounge, they don’t make them like that anymore.

Located on Pitfield Street in the centre of Hoxton, Charlie Wright’s neatly avoids the bustle of Shoreditch proper and manages to attract a more discerning crowd than the slew of bars that run from Old Street to Hackney Road. With a diverse – and we mean diverse – booking policy that offers anything from flamenco guitar to Atlantic soul and a cover charge on the door, people are here for one thing only: the music. There’s the weekly Tuesday night jazz jam, which encourages some of London’s finest musicians and vocalists to get up on stage and freestyle. The monthly swing night that features a group lesson before moving onto free dancing. And then there’s the Ethiopian nights, the string quartets, rock ‘n’ roll bands and the odd comedy night.

But while people no doubt come for the music there is also a surprisingly good Thai menu here, which matches the authenticity shown on stage. Devised by head chef Viyada Kelly, who moved to London from Bangkok back in 1988, the menu at Charlie Wright’s is about traditional, Thai family recipes. You’ll be familiar with the green, red and yellow curries and the tom yum soups but there is an edge to the cooking here. The tom kha kai soup is a rich, sour, spicy well-balanced broth packed with chicken, mushrooms, pepper and onion, which is so good we briefly consider asking for the recipe. The beef massaman is a little too plain for one of our tastes but if you’re the type who can enjoy the mildness of a korma, then you’ll appreciate it. Our final dish, panang beef, is another rich spicy curry and the welcome heat in the dish cuts through and balances the milky, coconut sauce perfectly. All curries are served with rice and there is also a selection of noodle dishes on the menu. We drink the Charlie Wright’s house lager and the excellent Belgian white beer, Steenbrugge Wit.

Authentic music and authentic Thai food is an unlikely match but it works here. Which means there’s more than one reason to pay the cover charge and spend an evening at Charlie Wright’s.

Charlie Wright's

Food Served

Big Screen TV

Disabled Facilities

Credit Cards Accepted

Music Played

Live Music Played

Charlie Wright's Picture Gallery

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