Electric Ballroom

Located bang next door to Camden Town tube station, the Electric Ballroom started out as a popular Irish club in the 1930s before being relaunched as a rock ’n’ roll-focused live music venue in the late 1970s. It continues to dine out on its (admittedly very impressive) history, having hosted the likes of The Smiths, Joy Division, U2, The Clash, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince and Public Enemy over the years. A protracted campaign to save the venue took place in the early noughties when it was under threat due to the proposed redevelopment of the adjoining tube station, attracting support from musicians including Bob Geldof and Blur’s Graham Coxon (a local). With those plans eventually scrapped, its immediate future remains secure. These days, gigs at the venue run the stylistic (and historical) gamut, while regular club nights on Friday and Saturday roll on until the small hours. The space is taken over by an indoor market/café at weekends too.