Entertainment at night, Central Hackney/Dalston (& environs (London UK))

October 16, 2023 6:30 PM

Hello again, and thanks for all the help in the previous two Dalston/Hackney threads I posted. This one's easy, and I'd be willing to take the public transpo: what kinda stuff is there to do during the nighttime in London? I mean, I know—"everything"—but to narrow it down a bit...

... (a) I don't like theater/plays but (b) I do like stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy. (c) I also like odd music in intimate venues.

So, for instance, I have things already planned for Fri Oct 27 (pm), Sat Oct 28 (pm), and the afternoon of Sun Oct 29: I'm going to Cafe OTO to see People Like Us, Negativland, et al. during PLU's 3-day residency there. After the PLU show's ended on Sunday afternoon, I'm keen on going to one of the Angel Comedy Clubs to see Sam Campbell, but I don't know if I'll be able to make it in time.

But that's my interests, distilled: weird & silly ha-ha (e.g. anyone who's been on Taskmaster), and odd & stoopid la-la (e.g. not top-of-the-pops). I also like more thinky things, but not depressing stuff or stiff lectures. I'm here for FUN.

I'll be staying in Central Hackney midday Wed 25 Oct until midday Wed 1 Nov, if you know of something in particular happening in that time window which you think might spark my interest. (Again, no "But you have to see a theater show in London!" unless it's goddamn Shakespeare performed by goddamn Yahweh. And even then, if it's not extremely good or intelligible, Yahweh Does Shakespeare can wait.)

Also, I've never been to London.

Thanks again and again and again!

posted by not_on_display to Travel & Transportation around London, England (5 answers total)

A bit out of the way for you, maybe, but you'd probably like a good deal of what's going on at the Soho Theatre, which has a lot of smart stand up. I spy at least one Taskmaster alumnus on the schedule for October, though it doesn't look like it fits your schedule, but maybe something else does.
posted by carrienation at 7:01 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

Not in Dalston, but I think very up your ally content-wise, and easy to tube or bus to: check out what's on at the Soho theater (mostly solo comedy, lots of weird+wonderful stuff from the fringe when i was there a month ago. )

Since we've already left Dalston, Soho theater Dean street is quite close to a place called Cahoots** which is a london underground in the 1940s themed speakeasy type thing? They have music some nights at 9 some nights in the underground part, and The Mixologists are really remarkably good though, so if you like cocktails it might be worth seeking them out.

since i am now giving you all the ingredients for a night on the town around soho theater, or if do you happen to be in the area at night, do check out the public space screen explosion above the Tottenham Court Road station. It's a truly wild digital display, and great people watching as it cycles through it's various art programmes. Totally free, called "The Outernet"

if you go to the young V&A (mentioned in your other posts) there is a cocktail bar nearby called Satan's Whiskers that has a great vibe.

Also looks like you'll be there for a Tate Open Late on the last friday of the month, but might conflict with your other plans


**That same hospitality group has a number of themed places that i personally find delightful and campy but YMMV (80s disco with the weirdest margaret thatcher memorabelia? so fun. Pizza Karaoke place called Bunga Bunga? you should see the tiki glasses.
posted by wowenthusiast at 7:25 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

Oh wow Jinx on the soho theater! feeling chuffed about that. Also added a few more answers to your other questions do check back. London is so fun.
posted by wowenthusiast at 7:26 PM on October 16, 2023 [1 favorite]

Brilliant Corners and The Vortex are two Dalston independent quirky bars with good live music (mainly jazz). Brilliant Corners has a very good sound system.
posted by multivalent at 1:16 AM on October 17, 2023 [3 favorites]

The Hen and Chickens Theatre in Camden sometimes does comedy shows - it's a small venue and sounds like it might be your sort of thing.

Events at the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities / Last Tuesday Society maybe also (and this is in Hackney).
posted by plep at 3:41 AM on October 18, 2023