Charlotte Street Blues London Review
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Has your baby left you? Have you got no place to dwell? Is your boss a real mean guy? Drown your sorrows in whisky at London's answer to the Deep South. You're probably more likely to be suffering from repetitive strain injury than a bad back from the cotton fields, but Charlotte St Blues is the place for those wanting to experience a real taste of the blues. You don't have to be in a melancholic mood, you don't even have to be an expert in bluegrass; in fact, this is where even a happy boogie-woogie virgin could wile away an evening.
Charlotte St Blues is upbeat yet with a chilled-out vibe, giving music centre stage, and equally using it as a pleasing background device. It’s a deceivingly large venue, sprawled over three floors, with a uniquely different feel to each.
Downstairs is the laidback 1940s styled games room; the retro seating, pool table and jukebox prove popular with those who are not primarily here for the music. The main bar is where the action takes place; with a stage that is rarely empty, playing host to live acts seven nights a week and a long bar to keep everyone well watered. Upstairs leads to a fantastic terrace area with plenty of sofas and a bar, giving the perfect view of the band. Tucked away behind this mezzanine is Mook’s Bar; an old boys styled clubroom with plenty of polished leather and bourbons than you could wave a distilled stick at. The only thing that seems distinctly missing from the whole set-up is a cloud of lingering smoke, thankfully.
The signature drink is julep, Virginia’s most popular cocktail. Bourbon-based with plenty of ice added to a mix of sugar and fruit juice. This place is a haven for whisky lovers with over 80 different bourbons on offer. There are plenty of other American styled cocktails and beers to choose from too and even the majority of the wine is made from US homegrown grapes. Naturally, the food is just as stars and stripes: Memphis pork stack, barbecue ribs, shrimp skewers and big ole burgers to sink your teeth into. For those terrified of meat and carbs, there are a couple of salad options to nibble at.
The music holds the key to the success of Charlotte St Blues. There's nowhere else in London that rivals the line-up this unassuming venue provides, playing host to the big blues names like Otis Taylor, John Lee Hooker Jr, John Mayall and Snakebone, whilst also providing a platform for new talent. Two left feet? That's no excuse as there is even a 'dancing to the blues' workshop for complete beginners, which actually guarantees ‘complete success when hitting the floor’. It teaches all the essentials from partner connection to slides and dips.
After you've dabbled with all the bourbons and embarrassed yourself by trying to dance to an eight bar rhythm, there’s the venue's perfect hangover cure to sample: the Sunday gospel brunch. Live gospel music, Bloody Mary and soul food buffet for only £15 - the icing on the candy coated cake for anyone yearning for some real southern comfort in lil’ ole London town.
Deborah James (16 11 2009)
Charlotte Street Blues London Description
Charlotte Street Blues is a live blues bar in London, featuring a nightly rotating programme of events, with the intention of helping new British and Irish blues bands make their mark while also promoting more established home-grown and international groups.
Situated near Goodge Street tube station, well-priced bar food is available day and night at Charlotte Street Blues, from cones of popcorn chicken to a selection of classic American sandwiches. On Sundays, the menu changes for the Gospel Brunch, a soul food buffet featuring comfort classics like pancakes, waffles, Frogmore stew, Jambalaya, Caesar Salad and a Bloody Mary! An express lunch is also available every day.
A fully comprehensive menu of drinks is available in all 3 bars, including ice-cold beer, Budweiser, Guinness, Hoegaarden and Addlestons cider; 80 varieties of Bourbon; and the signature house cocktail, a Charlotte Mint Julep, served in traditional tin cups.
Customer Reviews for Charlotte Street Blues
The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Charlotte Street Blues.
“This place is so chilled and so cool! Best Blues bar in London by far.”
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Mob, London (8 months 13 days ago)
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