We thought the emphasis in the upstairs cocktail bar at Kentish Town’s refurbished iconic pub was to be on lullaby pianists and sweet soulful singers. But it seems the Bull & Gate is actually revving up their music policy.
And why not? The venue, after all, has seen the likes of Blur, Manic Street Preachers and Coldplay pass through its doors. First off in its new incarnation is Matt Owens from indie stalwarts Noah and the Whale.
He’ll be “live and unplugged” in the Boulogne Bar next Thursday 4th June, performing songs from his debut album Songs for an Empty Room, alongside some of his former bandmates too. Support is from folk troubadour Tom Figgins.
And not only that, if you’re a bit of fan of the Blues Kitchen in Camden you should hotfoot it upstairs on Tuesday nights for their new weekly Bourbon, Blues & Beer sesh (8pm till late).
Expect husky-voiced crooners, lashings of double bass and sax, craft beer from hip north London brewery Beavertown, plus obligatory shots of Four Roses to add some southern US atmosphere. Oh, and New Orleans-inspired cocktails aplenty – if that’s your thing, and you’re not scared of a sore head on a Wednesday. (Ouch.)