Get your dancing shoes on and limber up for all that shimmying you're about to do
Hootananny
Hootananny is located in Brixton, a pocket of South London absolutely packed with culture. The name is literally the old country word for 'party' so you know it's going to be a good time. They offer live music from a variety of genres, but its most well known and celebrated for its reggae nights. Come Friday or Saturday night there's always a buzz and while the crowds can get large it's almost always worth the struggle.
The venue itself offers a decent selection of cocktails and other drinks and on weekends you can find food stalls out front. There is room to sit and even a back room with a couple of pool tables if that takes your fancy. It's certainly one of those gems that is a bit rough round the edges, but in a way this adds to the beauty of it. Hootananny is unapologetically itself.
Troy Bar
Troy Bar has been part of the furniture in Shoreditch for quite some time and continues to thrive. Their main clientele is attracted by word of mouth (and sites like us that have the inside scoop!) and you won't necessarily be surrounded by drinks deals, but certainly by a rich sense of culture.
Each night at Troy Bar offers something different. With regular Reggae, Jazz and R&B nights, the bar is known for its intimate atmosphere. Check their upcoming events to see what's on.
Archspace
Based in Haggerston, Archspace is home to the Real Roots night. Offering a whole host of artists inspired by Reggae-infused sound, the event takes place on the first Saturday of every other month.
The organisers promise that it's "strictly vinyl and strictly roots". If you do attend you're in for a bass heavy night but one that will get to the heart of the culture.
Jazz Cafe
Hear us out here! Despite having jazz in the name, this isn't all the venue offers. Based in the heart of Camden, Jazz Cafe hosts a variety of live music and club nights with fusions of all genres of music. This includes reggae and afrobeat inspired tunes. It's best to check Jazz Cafe's upcoming events to see if there is something that takes your fancy.
Have you got any favourite reggae venues? Let us know and we'll add them to the list.
Words by Alex Goldsmith
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