Bartok

29-12-2008
John Warburton  0 

It is possible to see the Bartok Bar in many lights, depending on the time of day one visits, or the night of the week. The lights certainly become more red the later the hour becomes. The matters that are in common between all times and days, though, are that one may buy and consume drinks here, that its location is fearsomely close to The Roundhouse, and that its opening times are among the most civilised in London.

'Civilised' also applies to the staff and management, in my experience. But, then, it is my policy never to leave helpless with inebriation (but sometimes with mirth), and always to acknowledge the difficult job that the door staff have, at the last bar open in town. Inappropriate dress is frequently turned away. Check your shoes, and don't wear caps. Frankly, when all the stars in all the skies have burned their ways to oblivion, and the heat death of the Universe is at hand, and all fundamental particles are heading for the final, cold, black, icy rest, the last place open will be the Bartok Bar, and its near-neighbour the Marathon Kebab Restaurant (Licenced), q.v., and their customers will most likely be quite happy about the whole cosmos thing.

During the day, a variety of well-served drinks including cocktails, and light snacks are available: effuseries of fresh coffee also satisfy the customers. But at night, the music policy is a cut above most local bars' offerings, and it is often carefully themed not only for dancing but also with careful regard to the integrity of the musical mix. DJ Joe Atari, a widely-travelled and experienced music organiser and composer, is a case in point.

Sometimes, I have been here to find myself alone in a crowd, in order to think amid the noise; and sometimes I have found unusually long-lasting friends and contacts, even places safely to live. There is nothing particularly magical about this place -- turn up, talk, drink, dance if you wish, drink a lot if you wish, go home incredibly late; but its staff and clientele in the main repay any respect that customers genuinely offer them. The proximity to the N28 and N31 bus stop, and Chalk Farm Tube station is a gift to the adventurous. Local licenced cab companies may be found very nearby on Adelaide Road by the Tube station.

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03-06-2008
primrose guy

Bartok is fantastic. The staff are cool. The people that go there are excellent! The best late bar in Camden... no doubt.

12-06-2007
annabell

A great place to socialize and dance, great music too, special with DJ Joe on Fridays. Sometimes he is there too on Sat.Friendly bar staff and management, nice decor too, with the red and the chandleirs...

09-05-2007
roga d

This is a quality night with a melting pot of tracks that never cease to amaze me!Great atmoshpere and diversity in the music!!

01-04-2007
clare

Great place to finish off a night, choice of dancing or sitting, not mad dancing. I went after mad one dancing and it was nice to chill but dance when needed. Tiny bit crowded.