The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch launch

The first thing to be said about the new incarnation of The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch is the incredible attention to detail that has been lavished on this former warehouse. With its enormous square bar and distressed wooden everything, it is perfectly reminiscent of old-school Louisiana.

The lighting is soft and low and there’s plenty of space for dining, drinking and dancing. This is a place designed with a crowd in mind, and it has the spot-on atmosphere to match: far less pretentious than its Camden counterpart, this blues bar has all the makings of a high-class hipster hangout.

There’s a large selection of classic spirits and unusual American bottled beers and ales, as well as a neat collection of alcohol-heavy cocktails. The Hurricane is a sweet sensation with a dash of liquorice aftertaste and an Old Fashioned is generous in its whiskey warmth. Prices are high so you might trip in here later on of an evening to experience live blues and perhaps some Texas barbeque. Tiny ramekins of alligator nuggets and blackened peppers promise an intriguing dining experience, but a soggy pulled pork snippet didn’t do justice to what could be an excellent diner spot.

Live music is promised here seven days a week, a raised stage in the corner the perfect vantage point to make some moves. The ample space soon fills up, the crowd pulsing in time to the heavy beats and twangs. You may break your neck in the dark on the way to the subterranean bathrooms (don’t wear heels), but downstairs offers a private room for parties featuring rope-laden walls and a New Orleans vibe. With a 1950s caravan for private hire too, this venue has unexpected quirks and surprising charm that ensure it’s down-to-earth and not just another edgy haunt on the Shoreditch scene.

Bringing a little bit of the southern states to East London, The Blues Kitchen in Shoreditch looks, sounds and feels soulful. Check it out as soon as you can squeeze in.

Georgia Mizen

To book a table at The Blues Kitchen, 134-146 Curtain Road Shoreditch London EC2A 3AR, call 020 7729 7216 or enquire here.