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Time Out says 8 Users say Rate it
When the owners of this cluttered temple to da blooze hit upon the idea of using a Georgia White song title as its name, they could have plumped for 'Hot Nuts' or 'Take Me For a Buggy Ride'.
Yet it's the risqué singer's 78 of 'The Blues Ain't Nothin' But…' that's been given pride of place facing a cabin-like bar counter where pints of Adnams Bitter and Broadside, as well as Bitburger, Murphy's and Mad Goose Purity are dispensed and duly taken back to a saloon-style back room accommodating the seating. That's where the live music takes place most nights of the week, performed by tail-shakers happy to have a residency and equal acclaim from tourists and local enthusiasts.
The staircase down to the toilets is decorated with caricatures of great names in blues and wider genres (the one of Screamin' Jay Hawkins is a work of art). Overall, a likeable student-bohemian vibe sets this place apart from the trendier spots along bar-lined Kingly Street.
Ain't Nothin' But... details
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What is 'following'?020 7287 0514
Open/food served 6pm-1am Mon-Thur; 5pm-2.30am Fri; 3pm-2.30am Sat; 3-11pm Sun
Credit cards MC, V
Facilities
Entertainment ( musicians 6pm & 9pm Tues, 4pm Sun; open mic 4pm Sat )Ain't Nothin' But... map
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See all bars & pubs near Ain't Nothin' But...Comments & ratings 2/5 (Average of 8 ratings)
Didn't even had to chance to enter this "great place"! Stayed in the queue for about an hour with few of my friends.Then I decided to pop out to the next bar to use their toilet! As soon as I've came back, I've told that you can leave this queue even to go to the toilet even that there was my friends standing in the queue in the time of my 5 mins absence!?
great bar - aint nothin else like it in London. unpretentious and despite the comments below, the queues outside speak for themselves. It's crowded, and a bit chaotic but the act on the night we went were excellent.
What a crappy Bar, that Manager has GOT TO GO! abuse from the bar, great open mic night but my god will never go to this place again, I spend over £300 in 3 hours! and still get asked to leave because they want their table! disgrace!
The Monday night blues jam here is superb, sometimes even world class, with a uniquely friendly atmosphere amongst the international crowd and musicians. In fax I've found most of the staff to be very friendly too. Yes, it gets crowded and you will have to que if you get there after 8ish and the decor is basic and the beer is pricey, but all in all one of my favourite nights in London if you love blues.
I'm actually really surprised to read the comments on this place. It is such a shame the staff ruined the bar for so many people. There are a bunch of rotating bands, some are average but I've been a couple of times where they were really good. On the whole i love the atmosphere and the size of the place (i guess created by the people you go with). So as long as your highlight isnt buying your beer, you'll have an awesome time!
I would never go to this bar again because as the other peoples comments say the staff were so rude and made me and my friends feel very unwelcome and didn't seem to want to serve you at all. I thought if you get a job in the service industry you have to have some sort of customer service skills. Obviously not in this case.I do not recommend this place if you are looking for somewhere to relax and have a drink. If you want to be treated like dirt and abused by staff then by all means head on down.the only thing good about the place is the music.
Awful bar..purely because the service was so bad..and the staff were so rude.DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR!!!
Myself and a friend went in one night for a drink ,our fourth time there and all the staff seemed friendly except for one(wearing glasses and a quiff and some sideburns) who seemed to be the manager..he shouted racial abuse at myself and my friend for no reason at all.We were leaving and said good night and his exact words were f**king paddy's why don't you f**k off..and he went on to say worse! I have never been treated so badly and have never met a more ignorant person. He was extremely racist and completely out of order and because of him I will never step foot in that bar again and will make sure that none of my friends go there. I advise you not to go as you pay good money and all you get back from the staff is abuse.
A Very BAD place!!! I will never come back to this place in my life! We received the worse treatment ever!
I really don't recommend this place to anyone simply because the manager (that is the guy behind the bar with long sideburn) was shouting as a mad even to some of the girls with a series of F**k off, spitting up, etc...because we had to finish our drinks quickly to leave a table that he needed and we were there just since 30mins around 8pm.
This is enough to let you understand which kind of person he is and he doesn't deserve to manage this place at all! Neither have customer there! AVOID THIS PLACE!
The worst service ever! We have been kicked out of the place at 8.30pm, because two of us were sitting in the corner of the stage (while none was playing). The exact line was "now finish your drink and get a F##k out of here" even shouted in front of girls. We were 15 people, enjoying the place and spending money over there. No one was drunk neither screaming. That's miles away from how a customer should be treated.
And it's a great pity those lines above came directly from the manager!!
AVOID THIS PLACE!!
Terrible bar! Writing this review simply because my experience was so bad and don't wish others to make the same mistake. Reading the other reviews however, my experience doesn't seem so extraordinary. I have never been to a bar/venue anywhere in the world where the staff were so incredibly rude. There are many London Blues bars which are much better without the arrogant rudeness - do not waste your time and money here!
We, had to queue for an hour, where told it would just be 30mins, as one in one out policy...!! can't move inside, beer not in proper glass, and pockets rifled..!!! would not recommend it, music average..don't waste your money..!
Fantastic bar. A hidden gem and an amazing atmosphere...friendly and some amazing live bands up close in this blues bar. Love it!
Awful place. People should not waste their time or money here. Lousy bar staff and fossilised music
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