The Lock Tavern

Address: 35 Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8AJ , United Kingdom
Website: view The Lock Tavern’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Dive bar
Food: Bar Snacks

Review

Here's a pub which epitomises Camden's alternative, eclectic vibe. The Lock Tavern (which is neither on the canal, or a tavern, at least in the traditional sense) is a sticky floored DJ and live music venue filled with grungy locals, students and tourists. It's all a bit scruffy, but that's part of the chilled out relaxed atmosphere. The neon on the walls reads 'tarted-up boozer' and 'small disco', which sums it up quite well.

One of the busiest venues we went to on our visit to Camden, this venue attracts both up-and-coming and established big-name bands as well as DJs from some of the bigger London clubs. With free entry it's guaranteed to be a bit of a bun fight to get the bar, where the drinks standards are generally at the lower end of bog-standard, but that's hardly why you came to this North London institution.