The Black Heart (Saint Monday)

great rock/metal bar in camden good music live bands a surprise amounts ogf great intreasting beers on tap and bottles and cans in fridge

Primarily a music venue as I see it, but the bar on the ground floor is quite spacious with lots of seating and a good selection of UK, US and Scandinavian craft beers both on tap and in the fridge. Rough place, and would not be my first choice for a relaxing drink in this area.

Down a narrow street just a minute or so walk on the south side of the tube station. It's a rock music and heavy metal venue with a dark decor and dark atmospherento match, it's friendly enough though with keg beers providing a decent although expensive craft beer selection.

The main hub for Desertfest, so visited frequently over the weekend. Large bar in a narrow street near Camden Town station. Great metal vibe, dark, a bit greasy, loud music, loved it. Decent selection of taps, mostly Camden and Brooklyn stuff, but also Weird Beard and De La Senne. Nice selection of bottled and canned beers as well, even had different beers in the fridge upstairs in the concert area. Prices were a bit on the high side, but just OK I guess (+-5 pound for a pint or 33cl bottled beer). Service consisted of tattooed rock chicks (dig that), and even though it was very busy they took the time to serve and even advise. I’d live here if this was in my neighbourhood.

The metal vibe is alright I suppose, but not all that unique anymore. Does feel more like a metal music venue than a beer bar, which is pretty much what it is, I suppose. Decent draft selection, not a lot of bottles. Staff was nice and attentive, but really annoying that they don’t accept cards for purchases less than £5. Contactless anyone?

I like the whole metal vibe as it makes this place a little bit different. Always found something interesting to drink. Although, as mentioned in other reviews, the beer list tends to be out of date and the staff can be grumpy. However the main reason I drop in here is for pre-gig food. Was sad to find out the BBQ Brothers (?) are no longer supplying the grub (they led to me waking my wife up at 3:00am to tell her I’d had the best smoked beef sarnie ever) but they have been replaced by some rather nice burgers.

Rock/metal place tucked in the back alley. Decoration and ambiance according to the music played there, there are couple of interesting details when it comes to interior decoration. It’s quiet in the afternoon and quite loud in the evening. Considering it’s more music venue or sort of club than regular craft beer bar, selection is very good. Prices are bit on the high side. If you’re into this kind of music and want to drink craft this is the place to go.

Visited on a June Friday early evening. The place is very dark and dingy and wearing black is encouraged. Asked for 2 keg beers that were no longer available. Staff did admit error and were friendly. Beer range suffered a bit as a result but did pick up a couple of interesting keg beers. The place is OK, worth a nose in if passing but isn’t world beating. Not my favourite place in Camden by a long chalk

Maybe a few years ago this place was a stand-out in London, but nowadays it’s probably not worth visiting. It’s basically a music venue with a bar that serves pretty decent beer. Compared to the top tier drinking establishments in London, though, the selection, service and prices just aren’t that great. I haven’t been here in years and would only venture back if it was for a music gig.