But credit where it’s due: the concept has undoubtedly worked. Spiritland’s already on its way to being a vital part of London’s cultural fabric, having played host to Jarvis Cocker, Jeff Mills, Hot Chip, Dave Okumu, La Roux, Severino, Jane Fitz and even Bill Nighy to name a few.
And, hauteur aside, we find ourselves swinging by increasingly often to listen to the always entertaining soundtrack over a house negroni, or schooner of beer; no pints here, folks. And the joint’s often (politely) packed – but, with no vertical drinking, still retains its own distinct atmosphere.
If you’ve never been, this week’s probably the right time as the first year anniversary is marked by a week-long celebration. As well as the usual top scran and libations there’ll be DJs including Jimpster, Mark E, DJ Food and Pete Williams; plus the Spiritland Talks series also return with John Doran in conversation with author and winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, Roddy Doyle (Thur 7th Sep).
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Let’s hope they’ve now re-cooped the cost of those eye-poppingly expensive speaker stacks – £350k, if you must know. Still, we reckon the investment’s justified: there’s nowhere else in the capital that sounds quite so gorgeous.
