Since it opened in 1942, this funky & heroically unreconstructed bijou beat cellar has hosted, among others, Glenn Miller, Bo Diddley, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Sex Pistols, the Clash & Oasis not to mention skiffle king, Lonnie Donegan. Nowadays expect anything from swing bands to the Kings of Leon to guilty pleasures such as Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. The most popular gigs are by advance ticket only, otherwise rock up from 7.30pm, grab a non-reservable table & hit the no-frills bar where rum & Coke or Red Stripe lager will set you back around £4. Basic fillers such as pasta, chilli & veggie dishes are offered. At weekend lates, DJs soundtrack the venue’s illustrious past with everything from Northern Soul, ska & Stax to rock & roll or easy listening. It’s raw & it’s energetic – definitely not the place for passion fruit mojitos & Chanel couture.