Big Chill Bar, Spitalfields

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location:

Spitalfields

address:

The Truman Brewery, Dray Walk Brick Lane, E1 6QL

phone:

0871 258 5351*
* calls cost 10p/minute, click here for more about 0871 numbers.

nearest stations:

Shoreditch High Street (opens 2010) London Overground station
(420m) - zone 2

Aldgate East London Underground station
(650m) - zone 1

Whitechapel London Underground station
(730m) - zone 2

Aldgate London Underground station
(840m) - zone 1

Bethnal Green London Underground station
(840m)

how to find it:

From Liverpool Street: cross Bishopsgate and make your way down one of the side streets to Spitalfields Market. Cross Commercial Street opposite the Hawksmoor-designed Christ Church. Head down Fournier Street to Brick Lane. Turn left and walk along Brick Lane, under the bridge of the brewery. Walk down the alleyway on the left and it's on the right, with a red awning.

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nearby attraction(s):

Brick Lane (170m)

Spitalfields Market (340m)

Whitechapel Gallery (580m)

The masterminds behind Big Chill have created a very successful brand encompassing a festival, record label and two London bars (one of which is called The Big Chill House). Our most recent visit to the simply named The Big Chill Bar just off Brick Lane found a swathe of Londoners very happy to embrace the formula, in fact too many of them. Negotiating through the crowds we certainly were struggling to "chill." Perhaps those lucky enough to perch their bottoms on a cube were able to feel the vibe, but for us being nailed onto a cross (no offence Jesus lovers) in the middle of the M25 would have been as pleasant. The outside area at the front provided a modicum of respite and there must be praise for the bar staff, who made light work of long queues. It was hard to really appreciate the music, which wasn't at all bad, so whenever we venture back will either arrive early or aim for a quieter time.

reviewed:
15/6/2009