London's small but intimate 12 Bar Club showcases around 4 acts a night, 7 nights a week, from solo performers through to full bands. That's a lot of music, and with the emphasis placed on song writing, we feature artists from around the world and cover a wide range of genres. Please check out our listings section for upcoming shows.
Rough round the edges, but truly London
The 12 Bar Club is pure rock ‘n’ roll. The ground is uneven, the walls are peppered with photos of rock stars, the toilets stink, and the beer is cheap. The stage is so small at times band members have to play amongst the crowd, the rest of the room is comparable to the size of your living room.
However there’s something about the dinginess that appeals to performers, for this is truly a musician’s music venue. In the past Jeff Buckley and the Libertines have played here, and it’s located in ‘Tin Pan Alley’ aka Denmark Street, an epicentre of rehearsal rooms, recording studios and guitar shops.
There’s a pool table for those disinterested in the live bands, which play every night and lean towards rock, blues and folk. Food is served until 9pm too and is particularly inexpensive. The club stays open till 3am and is therefore a good spot for a cheap late night drink though admission fees apply, but these are usually around £6 - £7.
A place to gather for (rock) music lovers, down to earth drinkers and wannabe musicians, the 12 Bar Club is rough and ready but a true London experience nonetheless.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Oct 14, 2008
awesome place, we either set out to london to get there, or we end up there after a night's tour of london pubs. always play great music and is full of great, open minded people.
