The Camp

City Art and Music Project is a temporary(2 years or so) cafe, bar, club opened by the Secretsundaze guys. During the day you can enjoy great coffee, cakes/breakfast menu, wi-fi whilst lounging on comfy sofas. In the evening this place turns into a club, exhibition space, event for launch of somesortofart etc. I've only visited during the day as I needed to do some peaceful research on my laptop-which this place turned out to be perfect for.
It has a bit of a 'The Book Club' feel, so I'll be definitely back to explore the night life at this very fresh Shoreditch addition.

Ah, the joys of a middle class white Jewish boy rapping his little heart out. Yes, I can't review the gig I went to. That would be unfair as "I'm with the band" as they say. But I can let you know that Old Street has a creative hub, and it's here.

Glass of wine in the bar are £4.50 downstairs, £3.50, so you can see it's really not that pricey. It's suitably grimy but not so much so that you can't wear you're nice shoes, you might think twice before putting you little (or large in some cases) arse on the seat. As Caren said, upstairs is a cute little cafe bar, they show art films and obscure documentaries and through a separate entrance you go down to the "club". It's not a club, it's a music venue with decent acoustics, a small bar and enough room to hold about 150 people.

Walk by and see what's on. It might just inspire you!

This venue is UNBELIEVABLE! First of all, the basement and top levels are completely different places. The top level is a very cool trendy bar with a limited menu and limited drink selection, but a very cool place to chill at. There are couches and picnic-esque tables that are very modern and relaxed.

The most amazing part of this place is the basement venue. It is a very regular basement space you'd expect from any music venue, but the type of artists they host and the message they put across in their shows are very community, charity, and knowledge oriented. It's a really refreshing type of place with people promoting a safer society.

And...free posters!!! The sound in the basement is also fantastic and it's such an intimate venue that you can get right in the face of the artists if you want to! But only if you want to.

We only stopped in for a couple of pints - but I liked what I saw.

Nice and relaxed come Friday evening, despite being very busy. Folks sat round chatting over beers and wine, with some funky background music to nod your head to.

Didn't make it downstairs, I'll look forward to that.

This is an ideal meet up spot for the Old St area.

This place is called the City Arts and Music Project (CAMP). I guess it is a cafe and bar by day and then a club by night.
The space upstairs is pretty cool and that is where a very good house music DJ was playing. You can access the downstairs--the stairwell is outdoors and is just lined with smokers and there is a big dance floor in the basement. It is basically an unfurnished basement. It was packed and a younger crowd.
I definitely liked the upstairs--I think this place will vary a lot in atmosphere and crowd depending on the DJ or event.

This review is for daytime vibe only. I haven't been here at night.

Tea + nice people + iPad + free wifi +lots of cool comfy corners to curl up in (/ in my neighborhood) = good things in my book.

What is this place? I'm confused by it. Is it a bar? A youth club? A gallery? A music venue? From what I can tell it fails on all counts.


But I might have just been there on an off day when nothing was going on. I'm not sure. Still, my reason for meeting a client here was "it's not very popular so it'll be quiet" which doesn't fill you with hope does it? And I don't think my first thought when walking into any kind of bar should be "why does it smell of vomit?"


But their rose was nice. I mean, it's not the kind of place you ever want to sit and drink a nice glass of rose, but at least it tasted nice. I'm not sure I'll be back here though. Even with the (not great) art of the walls too much like a school canteen. With added vomit smell.

I find it fun going to venues I've never heard of, and after ten years of musicking around the capital I spent one evening last week at this relatively new space under City Road. I was in the mood for a bit of a party, but with only lager and very expensive spirits on sale it was a boozeless one for me. Luckily that never usually stops me, and I had a fine time people watching until the live music started: Anchorsong supporting James Yuill.


It's a nice room for a gig, not too big but with a pretty decent sound system attempting to blow craters in your ear drums from the moment you enter. The crowd were somewhat reserved (perhaps they couldn't afford any drinks either?) but seemed appreciative of the acts even if no-one really danced. Don't worry - I did, a little.

Very convenient for after work drinks but doesn't reach it's full potential.


The atmosphere is always good, right amount of people and the music is a nice mix of fresh beats and old school sweets.


However, they STILL don't have a card machine, which is losing them a lot of money and causes great annoyance. The beer is flat and the white wine is rough.


On the other hand, they have some fantastic guests in the basement. Low price tickets for big names.

CAMP is a pretty solid place. Decently priced lunches with rotating daily specials. Free wifi. Comfy couches. Good place for after-work drinks as well, and their drink selection is decent. They don't take card, which is a bummer, but there is a cashpoint at the Sainsburys across the street. The featured art is always a fun one to check out, too.