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The recent threads concerning memories of various venues got me thinking of how the venues of my youth and the ones of today compare.
So what are peoples favourite small (say, under 300 capacity), medium (300 to 1000ish) and large (1000+) venues of all time and of ones that are operating today?
For me:

Small venue - Favourite ever, The Moonlight, West Hampstead. Favourite now, The Lexington.

The Lexington is quite a bit bigger than The Moonlight, and has better sight lines. Paul from Stolen reckons the sound there is crap, but I've been to enough gigs there with excellent sound, to know that there's nothing much wrong with the PA and any problem he's had was probably with the sound engineer.
The Moonlight had more good bands and a better atmosphere, but that is probably a reflection of the times, not the venues; after all the Lexington never had the option of booking The Birthday Party. All in all The Lexington is a worthy successor to any of the small venues of the 80s.

Medium venue - Favourite ever, The Venue, Victoria. Favourite now, ULU.

ULU was, of course running a lot more gigs in The Venue's era than now, so clearly I think it 2nd best. Hard pushed to think of any good medium size venues in London, putting on gigs regularly. The Dome and 229 both only put on occasional shows. Haven't been to The Garage since it became "Relentless", but it all looks a bit corporate. The Mean Fiddler in Harlesden is also much missed.

Large venue - Favourite ever - The Lyceum. Favourite now, none.

The Lyceum put on loads of great bills and was never as characterless as most big venues.
Only currently running large venues I've been too are The Forum, Brixton Academy and The Apollo, Hammersmith (formerly the Hammersmith Odeon).
Too many gigs at The Forum ruined by bad sound; at the Kent Records anniversary, a couple of years back even the records played by the DJ sounded crap! At least in the days of it being The Town & Country Club you could stay behind after some gigs for Wendy May's Locomotion.
Only ever seen two bands do a good show at The Academy, Pussy Galore (supporting The Jesus & Mary Chain) and Dee-Lite (with Bootsy Collins on bass!). Seen enough good bands disapoint there to know it must be at least partly due to the venue. I've never liked the Apollo. Kilburn National Ballroom & Hammersmith Palais were both better than any of today's large venues

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Curmudgeonly Rock 'n' Roll time traveller from ye olden days

2nd verse same as the 1st...

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If Ian Curtis had lived, and enjoyed the ale…

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not being in London before 2000 means my memory of early venues is a little skewed.


Small - now. I'd say it's close between Lexington and The Wilmington Arms. They are really different in size though (250 versus 100). I think the Luminaire should get a mention too. It be my favourite if it was in a better location. And as much as I like the Windmill, it can't hide the fact it's the wrong shape and it's in the wrong part of the city for me.

As for the past: My favourite small venue from way back when was The Broken Doll in Newcastle or TJs in Newport. Didn't really do small venues in London pre 2000. The Arts Cafe was superb though.

Medium, now: What is medium size? I'd say Lexington is mid size for me, these days. I used to like the Spitz and I think that was 400. London doesn't have many of that size.

Large. Dislike most of them, now and then. Anything over 1000 people just feels like a corporate shit hole these days and yr herded in to buy yr £4.50 cans of red stripe and they just make me angry. Am sure I had more tolerance of this years ago. I remember enjoying gigs and the T&C club.

Faves now:

Small - Lexington

Mid - Hmm, tricky one..Garage, I suppose.

Large - Forum for me, with Roundhouse close behind.

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If Ian Curtis had lived, and enjoyed the ale…

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Curmudgeonly Rock 'n' Roll time traveller from ye olden days

2nd verse same as the 1st...

The Montague Arms is an awesome venue although I haven't been there in about 2 years so it may have changed. I'll be so we'll see.

The Lexington is great too.

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Tall, moustachioed alcoholic - plays firewood with a bow.

I don’t really have a lot of memory of London venues before the last 5 years so it’ll have to be now:

Small: Luminaire. There isn’t a small venue that I can think of which isn’t flawed in some way or other so this is the best of the bunch. It would be the Lexington if it wasn’t so badly laid out and horribly oversold for every gig; or the Buffalo Bar if it sold pints and didn’t have pillars in the way…

Medium: Bush Hall. Doesn’t get any credit but it’s a beautiful venue, great sound and has surprisingly good sight lines.

Large: Roundhouse. Hands down. The only big venue that is worth seeing any gigs in (discounting anything like the Barbican, RFH etc.). Although I’ve never ever understood the Koko hate. I’ve never had an issue with the sound and it’s a lovely venue inside. Their pricing can get fucked though. Seems like a bit of reverse snobbery if you ask me…

Although the best large venue in the country is Rock City in Nottingham. Now there’s a place that is built to house gigs. Excellent stuff.

Also - anyone noticed how few Camden venues have cropped up in this list...?