Tucked away in the heart of redeveloped King’s Cross (though it’s also just opened an outpost in Lisbon), Spiritland is the kind of impossibly hip joint for those who live and breathe music – but also fancy some beaten eggs with their beats. After all, this unique venue combines a café, bar and a radio studio (oh, and a production company, as if they weren’t busy enough), blurring the boundaries in a manner as eclectic and esoteric as their vinyl (or MP3, CD or what have you – they’re not medium-snobs).
Founded as a real labour of love by music consultant Paul Noble, formerly of Monocle Radio, and three years in the creation, this one’s for the true audiophile in your life, boasting an extraordinary custom-built sound system by Derbyshire-based Living Voice, designed to deliver music as its creators intended: think valve amps, colossal subwoofers, horn-loaded midrange speakers and, naturally, vintage turntables.
Aesthetically, exposed pipes, sleek green armchairs and dim lighting set the mood, with decided touches of 1950s Japan in the mix, perhaps inspired by Noble’s trips to similar bars in the country: ‘As with everything they do in Japan, how they played music was done with a very high level of detail and elegance,’ he says. ‘It was nothing to do with DJs or club culture, it would just be a wall of records, one turntable, a lovely pair of valve amps and some huge speakers.’
This is a space where music is a communal – frankly holy – experience: DJ include noted crate-diggers such as Jarvis Cocker and Jonny Trunk, both of whom embody Spiritland’s ethos of celebrating the weird, wonderful and eclectic. And whether it’s soulful jazz or obscure soundtracks, the programming’s as carefully curated as the playlists. There are talks and album launches, too.
Menu-wise, the hipsters are (literally) well served: everything from the ubiquitous smashed avocado toast to shakshuka with buttered sourdough. Highlights include the potted Dorset crab, beetroot on sourdough and harissa-drizzled crispy potatoes, served with smoked chili and tomato jam. While for early risers, the breakfast selection ranges from buttery croissants to poached eggs.
The cocktail list, meanwhile, reads like a mixtape of left-field hits, including a Cacao Mezcal Negroni, Pumpkin Sazerac and Carrot Cake Vesper. There are also craft beers from the likes of Gipsy Hill and Deya. Now sit back, chill out – and listen.
9-10 Stable Street, London N1C 4AB; spiritland.com
Lysanne Currie is editor-in-chief of Meet the Leader. She also writes for Robb Report, Diplomat, Guardian, Influence, Tempus and Investor
