The Foundry, Old Street  

Pretension comes in various guises, from Leicester Square's 'no trainers' bars, to 'reserve a table' pubs in Chelsea. In this vein, the last reviewer of Foundry tapped into the idea that nothing is more annoying than pretentious Hoxtonites. It's true that we've encountered people here who thought they deserved some sort of coolest cat on the block award, but avoid these try-hards and Foundry isn't bad at all. Established by the KLF (presumably with the money they didn't burn) this is what Hoxton was supposed to be like. The interior is like a Berlin squat (sadly without Berlin prices) and old couches share the space with banks of ancient computer screens, which flicker like in some dystopian sci-fi film. The rest of the décor is plain unsettling in places and the descent into the basement venue space is graffiti covered - not Banksy style, just a mess. Speaking of the basement, on our last visit we encountered a "noise festival", but anything goes down here - poetry readings are common. Understandably it's busy and shambolic, but usually seems to attract a more mixed crowd than its décor and attitude would suggest. The beer, coming courtesy of Pitfield Brewery, it's also a nice touch.

STOP PRESS: As Hoxton slowly becomes a cosy suburb of the Square Mile, the Foundry is going to be demolished, to make way for a hotel which looks like a giant flip-top bin. Hackney Council are promising to relocate the bar, but we're guessing it'll lose its spark in the process. Also interesting to note the council have insisted a Banksy mural on the site be preserved. This from a council who spent years painting over his work. You have until April to see the Foundry before it goes.

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