Joiners Arms, Black Cap, Barcode, Madame JoJos, Nelson’s Head….with the slew of recent venue closures, things were starting to look at bit sparse in the city of London. However there is new hope on the horizon. City Road’s beat-filled basement, East Bloc, has birthed a new baby brother and he’s setting up shop in Camden!
Bloc Bar opens on July 30th, opposite Kentish Town station, placing something of a salve on the deep cuts left by the Black Cap’s brutal demise.
Spread over two floors, there will be food served during the day from the deliciously-named Burger Bear, as well as heady nights full of fantastic entertainment. We can’t tell you what just yet though, so keep your eyes glued to QX and make sure to head over to the grand opening on July 30th!
Camden Townies rejoice, there’s a gay venue in north London again! Solid proof of the old adage (and professional lush Karen Walker’s personal mantra) “when one bar closes, another one opens”.
To give you an idea of the entertainment pedigree you can expect at Bloc Bar, let’s remind ourselves of the current monthly party platter at big daddy East Bloc. We got on the blower to promoter Martyn Fitzgerald for a rundown of what’s coming up down on City Road.
Our weekly Friday Le Coq is turning into a real destination night. Last week we had Billie Ray Martin and Mark Moore playing and it went off! The music policy starts more commercial and then later on moves into more house vibes. Coming up over the next few weeks are Jonjo Jury, Paris DJs PATSY on the 31st, Jim Stanton, Fredi Dimanche, Alessandro Londra plus a load more. It’s about having somewhere to go to start your weekend and be guaranteed great music and a friendly, up for it crowd.
Saturday 18th July we have Blocheads with an international flavour! Music producer and one third of Gutterslut, Per QX, is over from Berlin and will be playing a post-Lovebox set for us. He’s joined by New York DJ Steve Amoroso (Afro Acid), who’s flying in from Ibiza. He comes highly recommended to us by Tom Stephan and local boy Craig Llebpmac from ZigZag – expect bassy techno sounds. In the second room QBoy and Sugarbear will be serving R’n’B vibes.
Saturday 25th July it’s the return of Handsome with Hannah Holland and Dan Beaumont going back to back after resident Dave Kendrick. Handsome is about quality house – from the classic sounds of the past, to tougher, newer tech house. Always a great crowd, who really know their music. Plus, in the Bar, Mistamaker plays old skool hip hop and R’n’B.
Songs of Praise are back on August 1st for a night of pop and classics and the place to be if you want to get down to high-end pop with a hot, cool crowd.
Then on the 15th we’re super excited to have a true Chicago house legend coming over from Berlin for Night Sheen. K-Alexi has been involved in the story of house since the 80’s and we’re very proud to have him join Hannah Holland and Josh Caffe for a night of seriously good house and techno.
Finally, later this summer we are super excited to have one of our favourite promoters starting a weekly Thursday. Watch this space!
• East Bloc have a SURPRISE new night starting on the 8th August! Wanna find out what it is? Keep up to date with our newsletter by signing up at the new website: www.eastbloc.co.uk.
• East Bloc, 217 City Road, EC1V 1JN
