Hackney’s off beat nightspots

Question Mark Bar, Stoke Newington

Nightlife in Shoreditch is well documented and boasts all manner of bars and clubs, each one cooler than the last. Venture north into Hackney proper, however, and you will unearth a veritable treasure trove of cheeky cellar saloons and back room bars with a character all their own. After weeks of arduous research and relentless libation, we now present you with four of the best:

Question Mark Bar

Like an east London Tardis, the Question Mark Bar’s impressive interior dimensions are belied by its understated exterior; an unassuming doorway next to a salubrious looking pool hall, through which dark stairs lead to the venue itself. Spacious, yet crowded, Fridays and Saturdays see the Question Mark Bar packed with trendy young things from Stokey and beyond, but the vibe is not uber-cool and people come to have a drink, a laugh and quite possibly a dance rather than to pose. The soundtrack varies from night to night, but can normally be classified under the rather broad ‘party tunes’ umbrella with the DJs not taking things too seriously. Drinks are cheap and plentiful and worthy of special note is the fabulous smoking area – an outdoor roof terrace where it is very easy to spend a large portion of the night.

Question Mark Bar
129 Stoke Newington High Street N16 0PH. 020 7682 1346

The Shacklewell Arms

It’s very easy to think you have come to the wrong place as you walk into the Shacklewell expecting a party; reggae wafts gently from the speakers and an older crowd play pool or sit nursing drinks. Once you step through into the function room, though, the scene changes promptly into a dimly lit dance floor peopled by a gyrating throng of clubbers. Notable attributes are the stone-arched DJ booth and chicken wire in front of the bar, blues brothers style. Also worth mentioning is the fantastic outdoor area, complete with palm trees, heaters and a thatched roof beach hut. Despite its modest demeanour, previous headliners include Tayo and Dave Rodigan, proving the Shacklewell Arms punches above its weight for those in the know.

The Shacklewell Arms
71 Shacklewell Lane E8 2EB.
020 7249 0810

Juicy

In common with many Dalston establishments of its ilk, Juicy (formerly Dreams) can be missed on first glance, lurking as it does below a rather thread-bare street level eatery. Upon entry, wander past the Formica tables, take the narrow, carpeted stairs to the basement and all of a sudden things go very Studio 54, with disco balls, mirrors, dry ice and UV lighting. It’s a low ceilinged venue and the place always feels fairly busy due to its diminutive size and atmospheric use of smoke machines. The bar in particular is always a few people deep. probably due to the fact it’s only three feet long. Music-wise things depend on which promoters have taken over for the night (it was one of the highlights of this year’s Land of Kings festival), but expect a fairly typical Kingsland Road mix of indie, electro, fidget, nu rave, disco, etc. If you fancy a drop of slightly jaded 70s glamour with some up-to-date tunage, Juicy is right on the money.

Juicy
95 Kingsland High Street E8 2PB
020 7254 0079

Mercado Bar and Cantina

During the day, Mercado Bar and Cantina serves up authentic Mexican cuisine and happy hour cocktails, but as the lights go down on Church Street the infectious sound of the merengue rhythm pervades the air.
Although a varied live music policy is in place on Thursdays, the weekends at Mercado are strictly the preserve of reggaeton, salsa and Latin grooves. The front room has a live percussionist most nights, whereas in the back resident DJs pump the tunes as dancers of various calibres sashay across the floor. Being a traditional Mexican joint it is worth checking out the Dia de los Muertos and Independence Day parties, but don’t be surprised if one of the staff grabs a bop with your partner and massively shows up your two left feet.

Mercado Bar & Cantina
30 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0LU
020 7923 0555.