Joan As Police Woman at the Lexington, north London

Located between Kings Cross and Angel stations, the Lexington lounge bar has picked up a good reputation both as a music venue and as a bar since it launched around five years ago.

Last week, American singer songwriter Joan As Police Woman played to a sold-out crowd in the upstairs venue.

Here’s some photos from the night.

The main downstairs bar area has a nice, Lower East Side lounge bar feel about it, with soft lighting, heavy curtains and and informal, comfortable seating areas under the high ceiling.

The bar selection is nothing short of magnificent, with a vast array of traditional, single barrel, small batch and rare bourbons and whiskeys, priced from £3.40 upwards. Check out their full drink and cocktail selection here.

As well as the usual lagers on tap, there’s a small selection of cask ales (I went for Sambrooks Wandle), accompanied by a large selection of bottled American beers, including Anchor Steam, Goose Island IPA, Sierra Nevada “Torpedo” and Original Sin Hard Cider.

The food is good too: I enjoyed a tasty halloumi & chargrilled pepper burger and chips, while my friend wolfed down an equally delicious Cajun Chicken Burger.

Both were priced at £10.50, which is perhaps a little pricey for pub fare, but the quality was certainly all there and service was swift and friendly. See their full menu here.

The upstairs venue is a real gem. It’s of modest proportions but has a wide stage so there’s loads of room for bands, and the PA system is superb.

If anything, there’s almost too much bass at times, with some of the extra-deep, bottom-vibrating rumbles likely to have an adverse effect on ale-filled tummies.

The venue has a raised level at the back (with a small bar) which means that it’s easy to get a good view.

Joan As Police Woman was superb. Hopping between keyboard, guitar and violin, her performance was intense, powerful and full of emotion.

Her backing band were also excellent musicians, although with a line up of keyboards, drums and guitar, I did sometimes miss the warmth of a real bass guitar.

Here’s some more photos from the show. Some are a bit red because that was the only lighting on stage which was a bit annoying, and I’m not a fan of firing off flashguns at gigs.

Venue details:
The Lexington
96-98 Pentonville Road
N1 9JB London,

Admission: There’s free entry to the downstairs bar every day & night till late, while there’s usually a charge for the live gigs and club nights upstairs.

Opening hours:
Monday – Weds 12:00 pm – 2:00 am
Thursday 12:00 pm – 3:00 am
Friday- Sat 12:00 pm – 4:00 am
Sunday 12:00 pm – 2:00 am

Contact:
Tel: 020 7837 5371
info@thelexington.co.uk
http://www.thelexingto