 Wherever you go, you
can’t escape Stokey. Goodbye Stokey pubs, goodbye holes in the road, hello Poland!
Visit Krakow’s ‘Irish Arms’ pub, which is reminiscent of the Auld
Shillelagh. No orange here, but the big man Michael Collins’s picture holds pole
position. It’s himself, Declan the owner: ‘Are you from London?’ N16
Magazine: ‘Yea, from Stoke Newington’. Himself: ‘Know the Auld
Shillelagh?’...!
Made my excuses and moved on to the aptly named Klinka Towarzyska (Social Hospital Club).
Loud, speedy sounds, cheap Polish beer and eyecatching Polish girls energetically dancing
on the tables. At least four of them include the inscrutable Teng from Barracuda among
their acquaintances. Shouted above the music to two geezers at the bar from, er,
you’ve guessed it – Stokey. Overwhelmed by a combination of nausea and
nostalgia, I flew back to Stokey to write up N16 Magazine’s Xmas roundup of our local
coolest venues.
Listings are in no particular order and N16 magazine advises readers to phone the
venue to check details.
The Vortex (020 7254 6515), I am happy to say, is still in Church Street. December
highlights include the John Etheridge CEStreet Quartet, 20 December. Since his Soft
Machine days, John has played with among others Pat Metheny, Krakow resident Nigel Kennedy
and John Williams. The Vortex Foundation Big Band, 9 December, directed by Annie Whitehead
includes some of the hottest female musicians in London today – Carol Grimes, Deirdre
Cartwright and Josephina Cupido. There is a benefit for Fathers 4 Justice on 27 December
and New Year’s Eve features Carol Grimes and Ian Shaw.
The Barracuda (020 7275 0400) is organising a night of wild abandonment, debauchery
and Polish table dancing. Just joking. The excellent Professor Johnny Miller accompanied
by Ollie continue their Friday night residency and Mr Teng promises us some December
surprise goodies. Phone for details.
Firefly Rhum Shack Bar (020 7254 2300) must be one of the most
sophisticated, chilled out cocktail bars in London. Excellent cocktails and live jazz on
Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights.
The Auld Shillelagh (020 7249 5951) continues the Xmas craig, organised by modest,
self-effacing Stokey impressario David Knight. The Shillelagh kicks off its festive season
with the legendary Belinda of ‘Peel Me A Grape’ fame hosting ‘Winter
Warmer’, helpfully described by David as ‘Handbags and Gladrags meets Fur Coat
and No Knickers’. Eh? Must be all that cider. Anyway, join in the fun from 8pm on
Sunday 14 December. After the great success of last year’s ‘Frank’s New
Year Party’ the pub is presenting ‘New Year’s Eve with the Rat Pack’.
Bring in the New Year with Sammy, Dean, Frank and the rest of ‘em. Tickets are free
from the bar but make sure you snap one up as soon as they are available. Last year over
700 tickets disappeared in no time. Be warned.
 The Eye (020 7923 7781) goes from strength to strength. Gig of the month
is sweet soul man Luddy Samms, 14 December (see article page 26). Arg! happens on 7
December with visuals and a bevy of DJs including Bla Da, Rave Bug-Blatt Beast and DJ
bleedy tampon – tasteful! The Bikini Beach Band make a welcome return on 19 December
while on the 20th there is an Xmas Special featuring freestyle DJs, live acts and visuals.
The Eye is also hosting a New Year’s party with eight DJs till the early hours. Chill
out from the hangover with a New Year’s Day DJ event in the afternoon.
The Eye’s sister venue Ryan’s (020 7275 7807) has its usual excellent
music programme including Blues Jam 9 and 23 December (musicians welcome), Ryan’s
jazz 17 December and Acoustic Open Mic night 10 December.
Bar Lorca (020 7275 8659) continues its proven and highly successful weekly musical
formula. Grab a flyer from the bar for details. N16 magazine also recommends The Stoke
Tup (020 7249 1318), the Daniel Defoe (020 7254 2906) – jazz and bluegrass
on Fridays and Saturdays,
The Prince (020 7923 4766), Clicia (020 7254 1025), Booth’s (020
7923 9332), The Birdcage (020 8806 6740), The Londesborough (020 7254 5865)
and Bodrum (020 7254 6464).
Last but not least, Emma Peel Fan Club are appearing at the Ocean in Hackney for
one night only – Friday 12 December from 8pm-2am. Described by Time Out as ‘the
biggest, loudest, most danceable women’s band’, the gig features two sets from
the 12-piece band playing 60s and 70s soul (020 7314 2800 for details).
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