Friday, October 27, 2006

1001 -hang out day and night

Every one is complaining about brick lane now. "It's not what it used to be", "it's too close to the City and attracts all the bankers", "it's too hip", "it's too expensive" ... And they're right, but a city is all about changes, isn't it. 1001, in the middle of brick lane hasn't changed that much and the reason is that those city folks would never dare come in, let alone pass by it. Those who do believe the only thing to it is that small cafeteria at the entrance that serves decent coffees and pastries. But walk up the stairs and it's a different Universe. DJ every night, more couches than you could dream of and always a couple Jamaicans ready to sort you out. Full of the local artsy crowd, from noon to midnight. On a luck night, the back room is open. More couches, more DJs, another bars and more Jamaicans. And there's ample space to dance to. Space is the keyword here. Imaging a wharehouse in the middle of brick lane, one of the densest roads in London; a place never too full, where you have space to relax, move around and chit chat. A place where you can fall asleep on the sofa. A place that's seen more drugs than Woodstock. A place that's blessed for closing at midnight, otherwise we'd all be out of our minds.

1001 // 101 Brick Lane // London E1 6SE // UK

Asylum, a different bar

The United States, especially its capital, isn't quite renowned for alternative nightlife nowadays, less so for an eccentric bar. Not too fast. Asylum is set in Adam's Morgan, Washington's hip neighbourhood, lined up with ubiquitus and boring hip hop clubs and pizza parlours. And Asylum is in the middle of that, passed by thousands of times every day without ever being noticed. Good for them. A fetish bar on top, a gothic bar underground - and nothing on the ground floor. Not to worry, no need to be into these electronic impulses they try out on the front of the bar in order to get in. We're respectful of others and can do as they wish. It's an explosian in Washington's conservatism although by speaking with the folks doing their stuff on the small stage at the front of the bar, we learn that Washington is the biggest swinger city in the country. The clientele, fetish and goth...but what do you want, it's a change from those hip hop kids accross the street. An interesting experience guaranteed.

Asylum // 2471 18th Street, NW // Washington, DC // USA

blind eye

"a shady little corner dive in a shady little corner of the world". that's one of those bars you can't really put in a categoy, one very special bar, that perectly fits into the Zizkov setting. The crowd, a mix of american and european expats stuck forever in Prague for no apparent reason, local czechs and a handful of tourists staying at the hostel accross the street. The music is no less ecclectic. Panthera is followed by the beach boys and David Bowie. It won't take long before you'll find someone to speak to, whether around the fussball table, in the chill out room or around the bar. Discuss your travels or philosophise. Say who you are, we're all equal here. On a party night, anything can happen. Now you're warned. Long life to the eye.
Blind eye // Vlkova 26 // Praha 3 - Zizko // Czech Republic
www.blindeye.cz

About Me

an opinionated guide to alternative nightlife and urban culture. what else?