Our corner of London is feeling very much at the centre of attention right now, in part due to the big Disney+ doc and also the leading role of one of our MPs in a certain general election.

But, as ever, there’s loads more juicy unexpected stuff than that waiting to be discovered when you scratch beneath the surface.

And that’s what we do here, each and every Friday morning.

We received another crop of lovely reader feedback this week - it’s rewarding to know that this newsletter is an essential (and welcomed) part of your media consumption, particularly with so much competing for every minute of attention.

A couple of messages voiced frustration that not all the exciting new rooftop terraces listed last Friday featured links to find out more, and hands up, that was basically down to running out of time (3am after a night out in Brighton is no hour to attempt writing half-decent editorial 😬).

Anyhoo, we’ve added more info, so when the rain finally stops, here’s where to go.

🎺 Flitcroft St grassroots music venue gets a precious late night licence

Brilliant news to update about the recent Camdenist exclusive on the proposed 500-capacity club, bar and gallery venue in the West End, which has won its vital late night licence at a ‘heavily contested hearing’.

Despite what sounded like vigorously argued but ultimately flimsy objections from some residents and police, the venue’s team presented a robust case for how they intend to improve the area, their representatives sweeping aside lazy tropes of anti-social behaviour and noise in favour of enabling an important and still all-to-rare new music venue to open in St Giles late next year.

It feels like this is a really pivotal moment in restarting the lost cultural production engine in the heart of the capital (which, according to one item raised at the hearing, had more late night venues open during the Blitz than it does today!), and continues to hint towards refreshingly grown-up thinking about nightlife culture by the local powers that be.

FOOD & DRINK

🔒 Beloved local restaurant shuts - so what comes next?

After an epic 46 years in business, and with owners ranging from recently deceased live music empresario Vince Power, to TV chef Bryn Williams (who’d owned it for the last 16 of those years), Regent’s Park Rd classic Odette’s announced its final service last weekend.

Williams signed off in a statement posted online, revealing that he’s sold up, with the intention of spending more time in his native Wales focusing and on some on his other ventures.

A big question mark remains over whether the sale is actually just another chapter in the star-studded Odette’s story, or marks the final full stop.

Either way, we do hope the new owners bring a sustainable approach to any reinvention - just look how lovely the place is already (pictured above) - and that whatever they bring next to the Primrose Hill riviera does justice to the amazing history of dining here, in this most storied of local restaurants.

🫔 The latest kitchen takeover for the summer at NW5’s Rose & Crown comes courtesy of Two Als Bodega Bites, offering New York style chopped cheese fried beef sandwiches plus weekly specials.

🥘 Meanwhile, just across Kentish Town, Malden Rd’s Gipsy Queen is home to colourful authentic Indian and London fusion streetfood team at Haveli Indian Kitchen.

🧛‍♀️ After the devastating fire that ripped through Euston’s Lost Souls Pizza exactly a year ago, the popular Vampire-themed restaurant is finally reopening next week, kicking off with a special house party on June 5th, with bookings being taken from the 7th.

SHORTS

More diversions from the grind for you to try this week

If you fancy owning a chunk of Camden Market history then you’ve got until tomorrow to place your bids in a unique auction.

Up for sale is a rare collection of wooden doors adorned with the work of street artists including Captain Kris, The Real Dill, Fan HC and Secle Style, which you might even remember were sprayed onto the huts that sprang up (without planning permission) alongside Regent’s Canal after the Market’s big fire of 2009.

Just before the whole area was flattened, to be replaced by today’s vast Hawley Wharf development, we managed to take some historic pictures, which you can see here, too… ⬇️

🏙️ Somer’s Town People’s Museum is celebrating 100 years of the trailblazing St Pancras Housing with a series of panel discussions, walking tours and art sessions throughout June.

🎵 I can thoroughly recommend a trip to the British Library’s current show on the 500-year history of Black British music, Beyond The Bassline, having dropped by the other night for a talk by long-time friend and fave of Camdenist, DJ Paulette. As well as the hugely detailed exhibition, the special event series boasts an appearance by George The Poet tonight, a sound system culture day on Sunday, and loads more stretching into July.

📺 This week’s Camden video

STAGE

Stage highlights come to you each week in partnership with the TownSpot app: your ultimate guide to local events. Join over 1,000 locals discovering the joy of nearby happenings, combating loneliness, and feeling more at home than ever, with the support of Camden Council and Matthew James Estate Agents. Download TownSpot today.

🎭 5 shows to go see in the next 7 days

MUSIC

🎶Our pick of the local live gigs

_{The weekly Camdenist newsletter runs on Beehiiv, which we think is the best platform available for running this kind of email community. Find out more and try Beehiiv free with no credit card required. If you then sign up, we’ll get a referral fee, and we’ll support your own newsletter to our readers by way of thanks} 🙂