Venn Street Records

Only let’s people with groups of 5+ in with booking. Complete dick head of a bouncer, who was very rude. Don’t even bother.

I stumbled across Venn Street Records after arriving early to Clapham Picturehouse and needing to kill time. The atmosphere works for what they’re trying to do – create an LA-​style, dark, grungey/​edgy music-​venue-​feeling space where rock reigns.
Why they would do this in Clapham I have no idea.
But here we are, with the neon signs, the black paint, candles and stacks and stacks of records that feel «homey» to someone who spent 90% of their youth seeing local and small-​time bands play dive bars.
Now, one of the most important aspects to pulling this theme off is, of course, the music! On my first visit I found it to be stellar — loads of classic punk and rock from the likes of the Runaways, Iggy Pop, et al.
On my most recent visit I was appalled at the generic, completely over-​done and yawn-​worthy selection of Bön Jovi, Journey and GnR. Though, to be honest, that is what I imagine Clapham crowds expect a «rock» themed bar to play.
A flyer posted in the bathroom offered a better glimpse at the music potential at least. Lots of themed DJ nights and live bands.
Anyway, drinks are expensive (£9−12) but adventurous (ingredients include egg whites and pistachios), and the impressive cocktail menu had truly tasty recipes and not a drop of grenadine or sickly sweet cosmos in sight. (Points though for having a «guilty pleasures» section of the cocktail menu where you will find your pina coladas and sex on beaches.)
I can’t speak to the crowds as both times I’ve come it’s been a random week night. I hope it pulls music-​lovers but then again … it’s clapham.
They offer food but the pizzas I’ve seen come out of the kitchen look pretty bland — pale, doughy crusts and waxy looking cheeses.
Stick to drinks and pray for a decent play list/​DJ/​live band.

I have to agree with Andrew M (in part), I too had such high hopes for Venn Street Records (VSR). Conceiving imaginings of, the best of music from the ages, coupled with the Brit underground scene — surfaced to deliver a laid-​back naturally chilled retro bar. Even the name conjures thoughts of a young John Cusack in High Fidelity.
However (and sadly), I wasn’t getting any of that.
My first introduction wasn’t great — over priced Pinot that gave me heartburn, and stuck up Claphamites. I really wanted to love VSR. Everything about it screams ‘über cool’ and I was sure it was going to be the kind of place I could have in my, ‘impress your mates arsenal’. The sort of spot I envisaged dragged music guru Anthony H to, and playing ‘which one of the vinyl covers on the wall don’t you have?’ In the attempt to win major points (hmmm, I still might).
However, the bar staff were lovely, it was more to do with the atmosphere and I just didn’t feel comfortable. And with it being quite a small venue I wasn’t inclined to stay for another, that and the burning sensation in my chest.
There was however a free live set about to begin as I departed, which potentially would have made for a fitting Sunday evening.

I had visons of this place being the best around, I was very sadly incorrect. Décor cool, cocktails lacked imagination and attention to detail. Staff ok, but the crowd in there were awful and ruined it for me.
Worth a visit for the décor, but check inside before going in.

I really had a great time here. It was much better of a destination than those snooty «upscale» clubs and bars down the street. The clientele was relaxed, the bartenders did some fancy tricks to make us laugh, and the décor is great. My friend and I even got into some fun conversations with strangers. Speaking of, others at the bar were an interesting bunch.
Highly recommended!

Venn Street Records (VSR) should be a cool place and I envisioned it as a cross between Empire Records and perhaps Purl. I’m thinking somewhere busy but relaxed where you can grab a drink, unwind, and listen to some good tunes.
Unfortunately, VSR has absolutely none of those qualities.
The décor is alright and the open windows and outside seating is a good touch when its a warm night. The cocktail list has some interesting choices but lacks a bit of that wow factor to make it a proper fashionable cocktail bar. The beer selections (no drafts so no pints) again have some nice points but isn’t very extensive or unique enough to be a selling point.
We got to the bar (fairly easily) and gave our order to the cute bartender. Who promptly decided it was a good time for a break and shouted about half our order at another bartender then disappeared. 2^nd bartender looked confused and slowly started making one of the cocktails ordered before stopping and serving someone else who wanted a round of shots and beers. Now granted shots and beers are easier than cocktails to serve but it’s poor form to obviously ignore us when we are right in front of you. Even so, once can be forgiven as maybe he knew the guy or maybe he had taken his order before being dumped with ours. But not 3 times. Three times is too much. Finally, about 20 minutes after we had given our order, we walked away with the two cocktails and two beers we had wanted, vowing never to bother going in again.
Overall, I was just flat out disappointed by this place. Maybe on a week night it’s a good place to catch up, but as a weekend joint it has poor service, a lack of energy, and just doesn’t cut it.

Venn Street Records is an okay little spot; it suffers from being in Clapham so when we went early evening Saturday there were rowdies inside and slappers outside, but the décor was cool and the staff friendly and helpful.
We came for a beer on the promise of a good selection and were disappointed to find there was no draught, so didn’t bother staying to try the cocktail list. I admit this hampers my review somewhat but to be honest they would have to be the greatest cocktails in the universe to
make me want to return.
The bottled beers included good choices such as Punk IPA, a kriek and Brewdog’s 77 malt lager but not stocking at least one draught beer in a suburban bar is unforgivable in my view.
If you are thinking of giving it a shot, I would definitely call ahead to book a table.

A solid neighbourhood themed bar!
This space seems to have had a new bar open and close here every year for as long as I can remember, and I hope this one stays. It’s the best of the bunch.
I’m a soft touch for funky band art and album covers on the wall — and I like the stacks of records behind the bar; it’s a unique look.
They’ve got an impressive looking cocktail list, but I didnt get to try any — I was more interested in the bottled beers — I was very happy to find Punk IPA here!
I shall no longer ignore Venn St Records, it was fun in here.