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Nestled under the railway arches in the heart of Shoreditch is Cargo. You'll have heard of Cargo before, even if you've never been. A staple of the East End, it offers gigs, exhibitions, club nights plus gourmet burgers, light bites, decent wine and beer, lesser well-known daytime meal deals, and free wifi. In all honesty, though, you’re far more likely to swing by here at night. You can drink (and smoke) in the extensive beer garden – which stretches out beyond the arches - before moving indoors to watch the band or get down to some of the eclectic club nights.
The night Fluid visited, the Fiery Furnaces were playing to a packed crowd. The railway arches make for a great atmosphere and good acoustics, whilst the high stage provides an alternative to the standard gig experience of gazing at the back of a tall man’s head. Gritty artwork and huge air conditioning pipes add to the urban hip, maintaining Cargo’s spot at the centre of the Shoreditch scene. Just don your checked shirt and you’ll fit right in.
The menu ranges from platters of tapas to seasonal salads. Fluid tucked into the sharing board for two which claimed to feed three comfortably. Not quite, we'd say, and recommend it for two (or one very hungry person!). Food prices are pretty reasonable, although more so during the lunchtime specials period. Beefburgers and gourmet sandwiches are around £6.50 and there’s Latin inspired bites ranging from Mexican quesadillas and burritos to perfectly cooked strips of calamari in alioli. We weren’t keen on the stuffed vine leafs, but the mixed platter provided some decent evening snackage for us and worked out as far better value than ordering separate tapas.
The drinks menu has more variety than your average boozer including a couple of ciders and beers; ranging from Amstell to Bavarian Konig Ludwig Hefe-weizen. Wine is better value by the bottle from the short but satisfactory wine list, and if shooters and cocktails are more you’re style they’re available from the main bar.
The beauty of the venue lies in its variety. You can have a quiet drink, or a brief slap-up meal, or you can stay around for some live music and, on weekends, get your groove on: anything from cheese to samba with free entry on Fridays. In the heart of the hottest part of town, Cargo has a good night for every taste.
Reviewed by Kimberley Smith (Updated 13/10/2009)
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Cargo Address & Contact Details
- Address: Kingsland Viaduct,
83 Rivington Street,
Shoreditch,
London,
EC2A 3AY
- Nearest Tube / Rail: Old Street/ Liverpool Street
Cargo Location Map & Nearby Venues
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