Hackney’s MOTH Club seems to attract punters like…
…well, we can’t think of a good analogy right now. But let’s just say it’s extremely popular.
That might be due to its handy location (pretty much opposite Hackney Central overground station, and a mere 5 minute walk from your very civilised pre-night out dinner at Dalla). It might be thanks to the eclectic working men’s club-meets-disco decor, where WWII-era paraphernalia frames a stage backed by gold tinsel curtains. But it’s mostly down to MOTH’s fantastic nightly events programme, encompassing everything from stand-up comedy to live gigs and dancing.
The club has a fascinating local history. You’ll see from the sign on the front that it was formerly the General Browning Club, a bar and events hall for ex-servicemen belonging to the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTH). Founded in 1972, it was the last remaining club of its kind in the whole country when it ran into financial trouble 40 years later.
That’s when it was given a leg-up by the team behind the Shacklewell Arms, and these days the club has a new lease of life shared by both younger and older generations. Life-long Hackney residents still come for the social club; young Londoners tip up on weekends for great nights out where the hall’s ethos of ‘true comradeship’ lives on.
Although weekends are busiest, there are live bands playing almost every night at MOTH, spanning genres from punk rock to acoustic Americana. Saturday club nights bring a dose of nostalgia to the dance floor, and Thursdays are set aside for the club’s legendary Knock2Bag comedy nights, which feature a reassuring line-up of people you’ve heard of alongside exciting new talent.
In fact, the only thing they don’t host (yet) are MOTH balls.
NOTE: MOTH Club has something on almost every night – you can see what’s coming up, and book tickets, HERE.
MOTH Club | Valette Street, London E9 6NU
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