The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch

Bars, North American·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch

Bronze Award

Following the high-stepping original in Camden, the second Blues Kitchen was always going to be a great fit for Shoreditch. This warehouse outfit offers the same spirited mix of soul food from America’s southlands, live music and a bumper crop of over 100 bourbons – all guaranteeing a high-octane night out. Liquid enticements include US whiskey-based cocktails, as well as alco-shakes and some cracking beers including Hackney Crate on draught; meanwhile, aural stimulations come courtesy of an impressive roll-call of bands (Seasick Steve and guitar man Gary Clark Jnr are names to conjure with). The giant booths, 1950s' memorabilia and massive island bar form a suitable backdrop for a menu of down-home food including slow-smoked BBQ meats, live lobsters from the centrepiece tank, hefty burgers, New Orleans gumbo and corn bread with honey butter on the side.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Bars, North American
Ambience
Fun, Lively
Special Features
Live music or dancing
Perfect for
Group dining [8+], Special occasions
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

134-146 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AR

020 7729 7216 020 7729 7216

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Fri 12N-12M (Thurs -1am) (Fri -2.30am) Sat-Sun 11am-3am (Sun -10.30pm)

Reviews

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9 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Anon

02 January 2023  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 4.5
Party NYE

NYE party what a night! Amazing place to celebrate with friends. Live band playing and DJs. Great cocktail, shots and champagne. Had a blast

Coming back soon for more

Fiona S

23 November 2022  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5

Amazing atmosphere and surprisingly awesome food

Jonners59

27 July 2021   - Verified Diner
Food & Drink 1
Service 1
Atmosphere 4
Value 2
Total disappointment

So took my wife to this place to have a night out with good food, drinks, and music.  Booked a table for 6:30.  The place is typical decoration, renovated early 20C warehouse.  Very noisy and full of life, created by the young crowd of customers and staff.  Seemed a good start.  Then it went downhill.

The music was in the bar area, and so watching and listening whilst enjoying our meal was not on.  The tables are high chairs, so sitting like children, not comfortably for a longer stay, but designed for quick churn, a fast turnaround.  No sooner had we been sat down and given our menus when we were having pressure sales to place our orders. The staff are not properly trained in catering and waiting, and just run about trying to take orders from customers as fast as they can.  I counted 4 staff tendering to our table.  The selection of whiskeys was good and varied, and there were a few cocktails.  The food menu was not very imaginative or creative, but quite typical of a few burgers, ribs and the like.

 

So we ordered our drinks a starter and main courses.  Everything turned up at once, starters and main courses and drinks.  All within 10 minutes of sitting down.  We were and felt like we were being rushed and it was all about how many customers could be squeezed into the place as quickly as possible.  It was very noticeable how many other tables churned in the short time we were there.  The food when it arrived was not great.  Had far better for the price elsewhere.  We ordered ribs to start with and their special burgers, and salads.  Most people who order salad do so to be healthy, or for something light or refreshing.  This was so laced with a sort of mayonnaise it was heavy, overpowered and disgusting.  There was no choice in the matter it was just ladelled on.  The starter, which as mentioned came with the main course was very overpowering and needed something with it to cleanse the pallet.  The burger meat was about average, the bun slimy and dull and very glutinous.  And one small portion of fries between us, no choice of chips note, oh and to add to the ghastly salad a coleslaw to add more mayonaise.

The staff constantly kept trying to take our plates and glasses.   I had a glass of whiskey and they tried to take it before I had started it, only my speed saved the drink.  My wife had finished a mouthful of food and I was still eating when a member of staff tried to take the plates.  that happened twice

 

We were disappointed and left in less than an hour from arrival having not seen any music, feeling bloated with indigestion from having been rushed and sick from all the muck on the food hiding the true quality or lack of.  Not a place I would recommend if going for a meal.  May be Ok for those that do not eat out very often who don't know any better, but certainly not for foodies or the deserning or music lovers.

Anon

25 June 2021  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
The manager Camden Town

Went to blue kitchen for my birthday with my girlfriend, we had so much fun. Good was fucking amazing!! The drinks were fab! Especially the strawberry and basil bramble. The manager was so kind and made us feel welcomed. Would definitely come again! We also got 50% discount!

Fiona S

27 June 2018  
The menu is fantastic and everything tastes great - it's hard to decide what to have as you just end up jealous of everything else. Top tip: deep-friend Oreos!!! The live music is fantastic and your evening meal can soon into a wicked night out.

Chris T

27 June 2018  
This is the place I go to the most - twice a month at least. The service is always great, I love the wings and the BBQ here. It's loud but but not so loud you can't have a good conversation. The place has character in spades, and a real buzz. My only issue is that you rarely get a full pint here, there always seems to be a gap at the top of your drink!

Louise Y

03 May 2018  
Food & Drink 2.5
Service 1.5
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 2
Bottomless Brunch
I think they are still having a few teething problems with this - the food was amazing, and very quick service. The drinks not so much. It seemed we constantly had to ask for tops up and once received it was practically orange juice - very little prosecco to the mimosa. One server Ryan was outstanding, very apologetic for the delays, the others not so much. In between drinks we had to wait around 30 minute, which for a bottomless brunch is not what you expect. Then at the end it took 25 minutes to receive our bill.

Megan S

04 April 2016  
Food & Drink 4
Service 3
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Loved it!
We arrived a little early for our booking so headed straight to the bar for cocktails, bar tenders were happy to make anything that wasn’t on the menu and were very clued up on the drinks info! Some of our party was quite late, the waitress was more than understanding and was backwards and forward with drinks orders! The food was delicious, and portion sizes were large. Considering the amount of drinks we ordered, and all of the food, the bill was very reasonable! I didn’t catch his name, but the manager was very professional when one of our party was only able to order bar snacks as she was so late, he dealt with the situation well and made sure she was looked after. Will defo recommend to work colleagues and friends, and will most likely return if in the area! Thanks for having us! ?

garry B

18 September 2015  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4
Value 4.5
Relaxed business lunch
This is a relaxed venue, with good American style food at reasonable price, and good value wine. There are a few local beers, which is good. The service was very good and helpful, but unobtrusive. Will go again.
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020 7729 7216 020 7729 7216

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