Southend-On-Sea
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20 Stainer Street
London SE1 9RL
+44 (0) 207 378 7776
The SHUNT LOUNGE is a members' bar, deep in the tunnels under London Bridge Station. Look for the little door under the vaults.
Each week will be curated by a different Shunt artist. Some will fill the space with nonstop entertainment, some will do next to nothing, fortunately the bar staff are more reliable.
1 review
1 review
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March 04, 2009
So, you come to London for a friends birthday party. The day before, we get informed that we need to hit the club for 7.30/7.45.
Yes, shunt is really that popular, the doors might not open til 8, but there will be a queue all the way around Stainer St and up towards the escalators. Be prepared with a full stomach and a couple of drinks - it will be a good night!
When we actually got in (entry was £10), it all got confusing. I won't ruin it for those who haven't been.
Like others had said, there is a lot going on, huge caverns of space, art installations, cinemas, bars, bands performing and dancefloor moving. At one point I watched performance art of ladies at a hairdresser-as you do.
If you fancy a night out, where you can relax with friends, and have many experiences then give it a go.
February 10, 2009
Recently went to shunt for the first time, and these are a few things that happened.
-had a few drinks
-listened to an awsome band who I'm now friends with on facebook.
-DOMINATED everyone at table football.
-Saw a cracking short film.
-Got a very attractive girls number (I know you don't care but I like mentioning it)
-became part of a captured audience led by a guy in a tux and florescent jacket, driven around by a bellboy on a tricycle.
That was one night!
Have since been back a few times and it's never been less than awesome. There's just so much happening whatever mood your in there's something great to see, do, hear, drink....
GO, GO NOW....
December 01, 2008
Definitely agree with Clare W's review. The ramshackle and haphazard way that Shunt has been decorated adds to the feeling that you're at an illegal party. I can't work out whether it occupies part of the building that used to house the legendary Drome (a venue that always felt illicit), but that would go some way to explaining the vibe.
I've been when they've had ghost stories on amongst other things, and I prefer the performance stuff to the displayed stuff. However, I usually end up drinking and not paying attention to the art stuff going on.
And to reiterate,it is very, very dark.
September 04, 2008
I love dark spaces, in fact I am rather obsessed with the lighting in bars. This either stems from a problem with my retina or from a love of the illicit, the daring and downwright secretive. When I heard of Shunt I was told "games room, bar, art space". So I expected exactly that. What I got was "dark dark dark games room, bar, art space". Pockets of interesting and fun art and games that made me want to run around with my hair in pigtails playing hide and seek.
Shunt is under the arches of London Bridge and apparently takes up one third of the overall space underneath the station. If that is true then the station vaults must be massive. Shunt is pretty big and stretches from Joiner Street to Tooley Street under the station. There is a cover charge of £5 weekdays and £10 at weekends, plus it's only open certain days so check the website to be sure.
You don't know what art will be on. When I went last as you walk along the main tunnel there were coat-hangers dangling in archways with bits of clothing and lighting to make you weep; wispy, minimal and mysterious. In another room there were images and audio inside 1 foot-wide holes in the wall, 3 levels high. Meaning you had to get a battery pack, climb a ladder and stick your head in this pitch black hole. Feel for the cables, plug in, headphones on and you're off - this one: a commentary on being a parent; different in each room, with visuals and audio lit via the battery - just lovely.
There's also a bar, a games room with a sit-down table version of space invaders and frog! Plus pool, table football and pinball. There's an MC/commentator on the nights events informing you that the band will be in x room shortly and more.
Overall I just loved the amount of space and lighting, lots of room to yourself, little groups of chairs and a table, lit by a candles with ten feet until the next table. Ah, I can breath...
Oh and did I mention that it is really dark?
