Independent Venue Week Spotlight: Lafayette

Independent Venue Week is taking place soon and it is the perfect time to celebrate the independent spaces in our communities which help new music to thrive. So many of the artists we know and love today owe their first starts to venues like these and we must do all we can to protect them.

As part of our coverage, we're looking at some of the best independent venues in London and the latest space is one of the youngest in the city, Lafayette. I you find yourself leaving King's Cross Station, take a right and a five-minute walk away you'll find one of the coolest spaces in central London.

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Walking in you'll be greeted by a bustling bar before walking through to the venue space. With both a balcony and bar space, it feels almost as if you've come to an underground bunker such is the closeness of the venue's walls. Even the balcony area feels snug as you get ready to witness some magical talent on stage.

An unfortunate opening just before the pandemic mean that Lafayette's big launch, which saw an appearance from Dave was somewhat premature. But since things opened up again, the venue has been in full flow and welcomed in names such as The Murder Capital and Laufey.

Lafayette is a sister to one of London's other finest independent venues Omeara but is doubled the size, able to hold up to 600 people. You'll find that you get good sightlines from wherever you're stood in the venue, the sound system is perfect and it has a cracking bar too.

Able to suit all of the gig-goers' needs, Lafayette seems like the kind of venue where musical memories are going to be made time and time again. It's easy to make a connection to an artist when you feel so close to them in the space. It also happens to be the perfect size for underplays, meaning that we expect to see some huge names grace this venue in the future.

It may only be a couple of years old and just getting experience of hosting gigs but it is already making an impression in Central London. We're sure its most historic moments are yet to come. If you want a venue that provides a platform for upcoming and indie talent then look no further. You can see what's coming up at Lafayette here.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image credit: Lafayette (Facebook)