Foundry

The Foundry is that pub you see with a big outdoor space between 2 roads as you walk down Old St from the Tube station to the Hoxton/Shoreditch zone of uber-trendiness. I've been past it many times, but last Friday patronised the place for the first time. The whole Hoxton scene is not really my thing, though it is usually quite good fun ogling the frontline fashionistas who sit cross-legged, fag-in-hand in their latest artfully contstructed charity shop outfit. Lets cut to the chase: this is a weird place. The interior would probably warrant closing down on public health grounds if it wasn't so arsty-cool. It really is A Hole. Marvel at the bank of old computer screens covered in dirt and dust. Give full respect the liberal policy of allowing every square inch of the bogs to be covered in graffiti (most of it intellectual, of course). Delight in the over-priced, horrible pint of beer that you've just been given by a gobby art-student behind the bar. Oh yes, and the final joy was to be turned away from the bar with a "F*@k off" at exactly 11pm - gotta love our licensing laws. So, you've gathered that I'm being sarcastic here. Play to your strengths I always say, but the place was bearable thanks to the large outdoor area where all of the above negative points aren't really a factor. Also its a convenient meeting point if you're headed on a night time wander around the area. I think they feature lots of up and coming artists there as well, but I didn't notice as I was too busy trying to get back outside. Ah well, I guess I'm not their target demographic anyway.