Islington Assembly Hall

I’m not sure what the purpose of this building is ordinarily, as I only come here for gigs. It’s one of the few venues in London that has toilets that don’t make me cringe, which is a nice change! It’s also a good sized space with plenty of standing room downstairs and a seated portion upstairs. The sound quality is pretty impeccable too — I actually saw Chelsea Wolfe perform here last night and couldn’t fault a single thing about how it sounded.
There is one thing that lets this venue down massively, and I was tempted to knock my review down to three stars because of it, but felt that might be a bit stingey. The bar situation here is terrible! Again, I’ve no idea what this building serves as ordinarily but at a gig attended by lots of people you’re going to want a drink. One tiny stand serving hundreds of people is awful, and the selection of what you can have is even worse — cans of Red Stripe for £5 each or a plastic cup of vinegary wine for the same price! Just awful.
Overall, I’d recommend this place for live music, it’s a good space with good sound, just make sure you drink before you come!

I’d heard several friends mention this venue and couldn’t imagine where it was. Then I realised it’s attached to Islington Town Hall, and (I think) used to be the borough musuem, before it moved to St John St.
We went to see a jazzy electronic act, and the sound crew recommended the balcony for the best sound. Seats were reasonably comfortable, staff was friendly, there were clean toilets with loo roll (and no queue for the women’s, although that might have been the demographic of the gig I was at, more than the venue).
Bar is indeed pretty basic, a 250ml red wine was £6 in a plastic cup, and they have a carafe of water on the side at the upstairs bar if you just want tap water.
Overall, it was a civilised evening with great music, so I wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

Went to see a band specialising in acoustic music, with a few electric guitar and drum numbers thrown in and this place handled it all in their stride. The architecture was stunning, set out like the Punch and Judy puppet theatres of old and the music traveled to the back easily making wherever you stood ideal. The bar was just your bog standard bottled drinks poured into plastic cups and I was outraged when they charged me a quid for water until I realised I got a cold bottle of Evian for it, so all was well. The only thing I’d say is this place only fits about 700 people, so if your ALL TIME FAVOURITE BAND EVER OMG plays here, book quick. Totally worth it.

My second visit to this newish music venue. Pa has been upgraded and the sound much better than last time, but it was ‘Lofty’ Lockhart doing the FOH. Bar is basic and provides cans poured into plastic glasses, for you fizzy beer drinkers. All drinks seemed to be £4.