The Clapham Grand

I wholly endorous the Clapham grand. This venue has excellent proximity to transport links to tune of the large Clapham Junction mainline rail station and is only a short bus ride from links to the tube. The layout is similar to that of the old Camden palace - a multi-tiered affair with backstairs on which you can get lost ( it appears two identical staircases run parallel to each other but take you to alternate floors and they aren’t connected yet in the same place). However the entrance is little more than a small hall and a box office where upon the next set of doors lead you into a large pit with a medium sized stage and a bar to the back of the room. The acoustics for the main room are sufficient for a band but the recommendation for visiting this venue is for a dance or drum and bass club night or to what a diverse band where as much dancing is done as sitting and just standing around (such as Radiohead). The upstairs offers a theatre-type tiring system of seats, with mixed grades of upholstery and a bar at the back. The unfixed positioning of the occupants of the first floor allow you to freely dance on the ground floor then return to the rafters for a break where you can still hear and watch a band but always find a seat and come and go freely as you choose. The drinks process as also very reasonable but the vibe is very friendly and completely old-school, something of a dirty rugged 80s feel about it, like a clubbing experience people in London are missing out on.

Overall this is a bit of a gem of a venue and getting in on a club night is also relatively low costs compared to other spots in London that might be within armsreach of Westminster so I pass a cool 8/10onto this place with the hopes that seating upstairs is improved slightly for further comfort and the designated smoking area is both uncomfortable and dangerous. 

Tags: genre live music bars, more 8 out of tens , type with dancefloor, , ,