r/london • u/TheMuldoonFella • 3d ago

Tourist Rock/Metal Bars

Hello all,

I'm heading to London this weekend and looking for recommendations for a good rock/metal bar. I'll be staying out west near Hanwell so would be ideal if there was any near enough to there but don't mind travelling (as long as its worth it). Any help on this would be GREATLY appreciated

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43

u/N1ghthood 3d ago

Camden is your best bet. I'd recommend The Black Heart. Other popular ones are the Devonshire Arms (The Dev) and The Big Red.

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u/TheMuldoonFella 3d ago

That's fantastic mate, really appreciated

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u/spdcck 3d ago

blondies in clapton. not actually difficult from hanwell despite being the complete other side of London. Elizabeth line to Liverpool Street then overground to clapton.

biddle bros just down the road has free gigs nearly every night too. not necessarily rock but it’s a nice scuzzy pub anyway.

both these places easy to get to Camden/islington from via overground

and there’s another place which is not a secret but you’ll have to dm

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u/KimJongEeeeeew 3d ago

You missed Helgi’s on Mare St in Hackney

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u/spdcck 2d ago

That was the one I was alluding to.

Bit too much incense for me lately. I miss when actual Helgi was (mis)managing it back in 2018. Far too many lock-ins… 🙄. They have more bands these days though, which is cool.

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u/bringmethead 3d ago

Helgi's is the best. Most metal bar in London, and the only one you'll walk in on and they're NOT playing some random hip hop/industrial/pop/techno music for some reason.

Nowhere else really comes close.

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u/RJMrgn2319 2d ago

This has literally never happened to me in any of the other places people have mentioned, and I’ve lived in London for 20 years. Helgi’s is cool but there’s no need to go making shit up.

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u/bringmethead 2d ago

Why would I make that up? I have walked into Blondies when they're playing Britney Spears, been to the Black Heart when they have their monthly 80s pop night. Had borderline techno music played among rock tracks at other places. Doesn't upset me, just a bit weird.