Bardens Boudoir, Shunt Lounge To Close

Dean Nicholas
By Dean Nicholas Last edited 165 months ago
Bardens Boudoir, Shunt Lounge To Close

A double blow for London's esoteric nightlife scene: both Bardens Boudoir and the Shunt Lounge are to permanently close in the coming days.

Bardens in Dalston will wind down on July 1st, with a final goodbye party happening two days later on July 3rd. If it's anything like their regular blowouts, the reverberations will still be heard weeks later.

The near-invisible bar, hidden beneath an anonymous row of shops, was established in Dalston a few years ago, before the trendies descended on the area, and has retained its viscerally independent spirit until the very end. With its ethos pinched by many newly arrived venues catering to the growing crowds of displaced former Hoxtonites and daring Islingtonists, it's sad that Barden's won't be around to reap what it sowed.

Shunt Lounge has gone through more official openings and closings recently than a minor Royal: it shut in November but re-opened in May, though bleary-eyed wanderers near London Bridge may have noticed that it was open for much of the intervening time regardless. Anyway, this Saturday night (June 26th) is apparently the last ever night at the Lounge, though they will "move their operations" to the warehouse over on Bermondsey Street that currently hosts the popular show Money. The place opens tomorrow at 7pm, and it's sure to fill up quickly.

Last Updated 25 June 2010