Tipped

Beer and music, what else is there?

February 26, 2008

I have to admit, it took a little bit of work to convince me to go out for the night here. I'm not necessarily anti-jazz, per se, but I'm not all about trekking across town for it either. Well, I finally crumbled under the onslaught and headed over to Curtain Road and boy was I pleased!
Bar Music Hall is a big spacious place, all full of wood from the floors to the ceiling, and it suited me just fine. There is a big bar in the middle of the room, and it is stocked up with tasty beers, mostly of the Belgian persuasion. Although sadly the beer I initially chose was off for the night, the bartender happily tapped a new keg of my second choice when it, too, turned out to be beat.
My friends and I took a cozy booth on the other side of the room from the live jazz band and were able to chat, albeit at a slightly higher volume, without too much trouble. Some of us also tried out the food, although this was not as amazing - the place bills itself as a "European style" bistro, but the menu was mostly dominated by (mediocre) burgers, although they did have decent fries.
I could imagine this place getting really crowded on the weekends, despite its rather massive size, but on a quiet Monday night it was a great place to just chill out for a couple hours with friends over a couple pints of tasty brew. As Sofie mentioned, they have what looks like a real tasty weekend brunch, and they even serve breakfast New York City hours (until 4pm) every day. I'd like to come back some morning to check that out!

Tags: Belgian beer, breakfast, jazz, good for groups

Chill Monday Jazz with Tasty Brews

February 18, 2008

I know that the Shoreditch triangle is the hip place to go out on the weekend, but I wanted something chill for a Monday night. To get over the weekend, so to speak. Some soothing live music – jazz, I thought. Preferably for free, and with some good beverages. I found Bar Music Hall, and really can’t complain. Monday night “Jazzarc” is pretty low-maintenance. The venue is large enough that you can sit on one side of the room and chat without screaming over the music. The other side of the room is more for those who want to pay attention. And in the middle there is a huge bar. I imagine it must be quite the dance floor in the weekends, and a friend in my group mentioned that he had been to a nice brunch there. The menu contains simple fresh-looking bistro food, salads and burgers and sharing platters. I was up for beers, though, and was not disappointed – 6 Belgian beauties on tap, with more bottled pleasures in the fridge. Hadn’t seen Steendonk in London yet, and having both a Maredsous Blonde and 8 (the dark “dubbel” brew) is a welcome alternative, I think, to the Leffe overload abroad. (Not that I don't love Leffe.)

Tags: belgian beer, jazz, chill, large groups