Food, drink, theatre, music and more in Camden Town!
Camden is one of London’s larger boroughs, yet often casually identified as just Camden Town. Visit during July-August and you’ll see why it gets all the attention. Camden Town’s shopping and entertainment epicentre is buzzing during the summer months. On a typical day, Camden Lock is the favoured spot for impromptu open-air gigs by aspiring musicians daring to perform on the bridge and inches from a precarious drop. Crazy! But that’s Camden.
What’s Hot London? headed for Camden Town’s famed mazy network of food courts, restaurants, bars and indie music dens – and also followed the trail of Amy Winehouse’s Camden.
So What’s Hot Camden Town?
Theatre
The Camden Fringe – Etcetera Theatre
A Red Coat in the Rising Sun [writer/director Ross Stephenson and lead actress Midori Ogawa]
Fuerza Bruta
There’s an Argentine theme at the Roundhouse from August to September, with the thrilling Fuerza Bruta circus-dance act at its heart. It’s an exhilarating mix of acrobatics, aerial dance and hi-tech wizardry. A feast for the eyes that will have you dancing on the ceiling… actually, the performers come pretty close to that as well
Music
Dublin Castle
This legendary boozer is every aspiring indie musician’s favourite hangout. The music venue/pub has held gigs by the likes of Blur, Supergrass, The Killers, Travis, Amy Winehouse and hosts regular gigs and open mic nights where alternative rock acts can try out their sounds and grow a following. It’s a buzzing venue where you’re likely to stumble upon the next Libertines or Amy Winehouse, and so teeming with talent that you see bands being formed before your eyes over matey pints of lager.
The Underworld
You’ll find this indie club and live music venue right next door to its parent establishment The World’s End, Camden’s largest pub. That’s a handy overspill of World’s End regulars looking for live rock acts – and fed a weekly roster of UK and international music talent. Much of the Camden Rocks Festival of indie bands (Aug 23 – Oct 26) will take place at The Underworld. And check out the Blackout Club night every Friday where the musical flavour resumes across the DJ decks.
Jazz Cafe
With her signed photos in every indie pub and her ubiquitous image on street art, handbags and teeshirts, if you were under any illusion that this is Amy Winehouse’s town even after her passing, then the Amy Winehouse tribute night at the Jazz Cafe on August 23rd is a soulful reminder. The iconic jazz joint is a must-visit for the dulcet tones of home and international music talent.
Food
Ma Petite Jamaica
Summer’s almost up, but if you’re still looking for that authentic taste of the Caribbean, head to Ma Petite Jamaica on Inverness Street. Dreamy cocktails with delightfully epicurean names like Spanish Town Rumgria or Port Talbot Rum Punch will take you away to the sun-kissed shores of the West Indies even as the temperatures drop in Camden. And if you find some Caribbean restaurants in the capital spice down their food for European tastes – not so at this lively establishment. It’s refreshing to find authentically seasoned dishes. The Montego Bay Beef Stew arrived as a reasonably priced, flavour-first serving of succulent and unshowy beef morsels – the delicately balanced Jamaican spices tingled all the right palate spots.
Asador Argentine Grills
Asador are enjoying a summer run of added popularity; no doubt, remarked by the Argentine theme at the Roundhouse live entertainment venue down the road. The Roundhouse is hosting Argentinian circus act Fuerza Bruta and Asador’s scrummy grills, steak sandwiches and burgers are the food of choice at the venue’s Caspers Bar. Whether you’re at Asador’s regular spot on Camden’s West Yard food court or socialising at the Roundhouse after the Fuerza Bruta show, you will experience and enjoy a tantalising taste of the Camden Pampas.
Drink
Argentine Wine Tasting
Do you know your Malbecs from your Cadus Chardonnays? Indeed, you may not know your reds from your whites, but the Roundhouse’s Caspers Bar is hosting Argentine Wine Tasting sessions which may well delight and enlighten. The lively terrace bar is the perfect summer setting for this foray into wine culture, where one can shake, swivel and sample a range of Boutinot Wines under the attentive guidance of their wine experts and sommeliers.
Hawley Arms
Amy Winehouse’s old boozer is a pretty cool hangout and yes, a big attraction because of her enduring association. It’s easily found opposite Camden Market and there’s a stunning large-scale mural of the singer on the exterior back wall. You’re kind of expecting the pub to be a bit show-offy because of all the fans and curious tourists but it retains a refreshingly local and all-welcoming vibe. Interestingly, you have to search hard and long for any Winehouse regalia inside. Maybe, the odd signed photo or two.
Shopping
The market spaces around Camden Town are mazy n’ crazy! A fascinating tangle of food courts, vinyl record shops, clothing vendors, musical instruments, healing crystals, new age jewellery, and even an Egyptian section. Just across the road from Camden Town tube station, you have locals’ favourite Inverness Street Market and a little further along Camden High Street there’s Buck Street Market food court. Continue in the general direction of Camden Lock for a colourful spread of shops on both sides of the street. As for the Lock, itself – that word mazy is an apt description for the network of market yards encompassing Camden Lock Indoor Market, the Coal Exchange Market, the Stables Market, Horse Tunnel Market and Eqyptomania.
