http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house <b>The Big Chill House</b><br />London, 257-259 Pentonville Road, N1 9NL, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1e3ah8
Review by tomc

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
If you fancy something slightly more buzzing than the bigchill bar then head to the bigchill house. Regular top quality DJs across 3 floors makes this a great place to go if you like chilled and funky music!]]> Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:21:18 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1e3ah8931915894 tomc 51.530902 -0.119872 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1446q7
Review by ross

Rating: 4.00
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Hidden, in the sense unless you know what's behind the windows you wouldn't give it a glance. It's a surprising and lovely place:-

As 'hidden' places go, well frequented pubs aren't high on the list. Especially ones that are given awards and media attention, as much because they're also a music venue as anything. However I was dragged into this Kings Cross boozer last April for the first time and really taken with how the nondescript frontage hid a gem inside. I'm very fond of the curious and the different. And comfort. Big fan of comfort. And out of main hours this place is still not packed, regardless of it's profile. I hope it stays that way. Because the interior is best enjoyed selfishly.

The Big Chill House has a very spacious ground floor with lots of standing room and tables with settees and armchairs. Then there is the much-segmented mezzanine overlooking the main floor, with bed-width soft couches and walls to hide behind. Nooks and crannies for all the crooks and nannies. But mostly I like the basement (see the photos). It has two booths designed for stretching out in, as you have to climb into them, feet off the floor, and the tables are suspended from the ceiling so as to not get the way, then there's the rest of the subterranean bit. Looking mainly like a set from Gerry Anderson's UFO. Essentially - assuming it never becomes so fashionable you need a machete to get to the bar during the day and on Sundays - this is one of those not-quite-central pubs that is worth visiting just for the surroundings. Not quite as quiet as a genuinely hidden boozer perhaps, but certainly a comparative place to be at times of a need to relax (and drink.. Definitely not to forget the drinking part).]]> Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:10:23 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1446q71409100519 ross 51.530902 -0.119872 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1q0028
Review by Nielsen

Rating: 2.00
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I don't know why they call it the big chill as it was not very chilled out, so don't get confused by the name of the place. It is very busy so be patient at the bar and don't expect to have space to dance rock and roll, not that the music allow you. Great tunes and very original mixes by good DJ, but too much from the same draw all night. Great crowd and great atmosphere until 1 am then the girls leave and the fights start. For a busy night out at Kings Cross its not bad, but not much class and chill as I expected]]> Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:49:06 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1q0028909062178 Nielsen 51.530902 -0.119872 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1n40g8
Review by sokratis

Rating: 4.00
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The Big Chill House is one cool bar, which is not really surprising given that it's owned by the guys that do the Big Chill festival. I've been there a couple of times and the music is always really good. I'm going again in December on a Ninja Tunes night.

Cool décor with really nice video projections at the back of the bar and comfortable space. The only gripe I have is the time that it takes to be served at the bar. I mean, yes, there are a lot of people, it's unusually slow. Maybe it's me being impatient.

Don't expect any swanky crowd or supermodels. This is King's Cross after all, and the people there are for the music and their company.

The place gets really busy with queues starting to build up by 9, so either go early or late as it closes at 4am.
]]> Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:11:59 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1n40g8682031819 sokratis 51.530902 -0.119872 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1n5068
Review by idoru

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
Based next to the Thames Link station it is a nice slice of Big Chill paradise in central London. The Big Chill House opened in August 06, and it's pushing Kings Cross towards its new life as a hot cosmopolitan area.

The Chiller's describes their phenomenon as:

"a multimedia festival, bar, club event, record label and lifestyle dedicated to transforming the spirit of our times.

The Big Chill offers a highly evolved, all-round experience that is completely unique, with a wide variety of music and performance, art, dance and film; technology and its relationship with nature; identifying artists and nurturing their creativity; It is about synergy, energy, community and fun."

Sounds exciting and busy and definitely different!

The club like it's sister bar in Bricklane offers a bar food like pizza and chips and a solid Sunday roast from 1-6pm. The addition of Francisco from The Social in Islington has the roasts sporting one of the best Yorkshire puddings this side of York. Large and crunchy on the outside they have a slight dusting of cumin on top that delights the tongue when mixed in with the red wine gravy. The portions are huge and the choice includes chicken, pork, beef and the vegan nut roast (almond, hazelnut and walnut) my personal favourite even though I'm not a vegetarian!

The venue is beautiful, decorated by The Big Chill to embody the spirit of the festival. Technology embraced by nature is the main theme with a good dose of brightly coloured fun. There are many different areas making the size of the club seem far more intimate.

My favourite areas are the Finlandia Cabin, found under the dance floor it has been created to resemble a mountain log cabin from the future. And the Enchanted Bar, which has a large lily pond table (a mirror with rushes rowing out of it) and pink clouds on the roof.

The whole place is decked out with an amazing sound system and there are projectors and screens everywhere creating a truly mulitsensual experience. It's also worth mentioning the outside terrace, a blessing for the hot summer months, or even for moongazing at night.

The music played reflects the festivals eclectic tastes with many of the artist off the record label preforming and guest appearances of Ninga Tune Djs common. Live music is often played on Thursday with the latest being Bugs in The Attic, broken beat specialists. Check http://www.bigchill.net for details.

The experience of it evolves through the day with it being a bar restaurant from 11-3 to a bar/caf.. then an after work pub and then to a club/venue from about 8! It's free entry till 11pm on Friday and Saturday. Also keep and eye out for it's secret Sunday 6am opens.
]]> Wed, 29 Nov 2006 18:46:28 +0000 /review/uk/london/bar-pub/1o32279/the-big-chill-house/1n5068912565315 idoru 51.530902 -0.119872