Christoff.ai

Green Note

live music venuesβ€’
London
London

Green Note

106 Parkway, London NW1 7AN, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked beneath Camden's bustling Parkway, Green Note represents something increasingly rare in London's music scene: an intimate venue where the music genuinely matters more than the margins. This bohemian basement has been quietly hosting nightly folk, roots, world, jazz, and blues acts just two minutes from Camden tube, creating the kind of authentic musical experience that feels almost anachronistic in today's sanitised venue landscape.

Green Note: Camden's Underground Folk Haven Where Authenticity Still Lives

A proper basement music venue that puts the art before the Instagram

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The venue's basement location immediately sets expectations – this isn't about flashy dΓ©cor or Instagram-worthy interiors, but rather a worn-in authenticity that feels genuinely bohemian rather than manufactured. The two-room setup is cleverly designed: a quiet front room where you can actually hold conversations without shouting, and a back room centred around a small stage where the musical magic happens. The energy level sits at a solid 7.5 out of 10, creating that sweet spot where things feel lively without becoming overwhelming. The sophistication score of 4.5 reflects the deliberately casual, unpretentious vibe – this is a place where the artsy Camden crowd comes to experience music, not to be seen. The intimate setting (scoring just 3.5 for group size) means you're genuinely close to both the performers and fellow music lovers, creating an atmosphere that's remarkably conversation-friendly despite being a live music venue.

Food & Drink

Green Note takes an admirably committed approach to their food offering, serving exclusively organic vegetarian and vegan world tapas. The menu spans from mango-pepper quesadillas to crispy arancini, fresh falafel with hummus, and various Asian-inspired dishes – a genuinely international selection that matches the venue's world music focus. Their famous carrot cake appears to be a particular draw, suggesting they've mastered at least one sweet indulgence. The organic focus and global influences show thoughtful curation rather than just throwing together a standard pub menu. While I can't speak to execution quality based on available information, the concept aligns perfectly with the venue's bohemian, conscious ethos. They also offer standard bar snacks like crisps, nuts, and olives for those wanting something lighter while focusing on the music, alongside a selection of beer, wine, and spirits.

Service & Experience

The booking system reveals both the venue's popularity and potential service challenges – tables must be reserved ahead for dinner during performances, with walk-ins rarely securing seating according to available information. This suggests either strong demand or limited capacity, likely both given the intimate basement setting. The venue maintains a neurodivergent-friendly approach, which indicates thoughtful staff training and inclusive policies. However, specific details about service quality, staff knowledge, or efficiency aren't available in my information, so I can't make definitive claims about the service experience beyond these structural elements.

Value for Money

At Β£30-Β£49 per person average spend, Green Note positions itself as moderately priced for Camden, which feels appropriate given the intimate live music experience and organic food offering. The pricing reflects what the venue tags suggest: 'affordable-for-Camden' and 'music-venue-value', indicating you're getting reasonable value within the area's typically inflated pricing landscape. For a basement venue offering nightly live music, organic vegetarian food, and that level of intimacy just minutes from Camden tube, the price point seems fair rather than exploitative. The venue's uniqueness score of 8.0 out of 10 suggests you're paying for something genuinely distinctive rather than just another generic music venue.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

The venue operates Monday-Thursday 6:30pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday 6:30pm-12am, and Sunday 6:30pm-10:30pm. Arrive at 6:30pm sharp to secure front room seating before the music begins. Weekdays offer a quieter atmosphere that apparently works for solo work sessions, while weekends will have higher energy during performances.

What to Focus On

Don't miss their famous carrot cake, and explore the mango-pepper quesadillas or crispy arancini from their organic vegetarian tapas selection. The falafel with hummus appears to be a reliable choice, and the Asian-inspired dishes offer something different from typical venue food.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book tables well in advance for dinner during performances – walk-ins rarely get seated according to venue intelligenceThe two-room setup means you can escape to the quiet front room for conversation even during live showsThe venue is neurodivergent-friendly, making it more accessible than many Camden music venues

The Final Verdict

Green Note succeeds because it doesn't try to be everything to everyone. This is a venue with clear identity and purpose: showcasing folk, roots, world, jazz, and blues in an intimate setting while serving thoughtfully curated organic vegetarian food. The basement location and worn-in aesthetic might not appeal to those seeking glamour, but for music lovers wanting authentic experiences, it delivers something increasingly rare in London. The combination of nightly live music, reasonable pricing for Camden, and genuine bohemian atmosphere creates a venue that feels both timeless and necessary.

Christoff's Rating:
7.8/10

Perfect For:

Folk and world music enthusiasts seeking intimate live experiencesCamden's artsy crowd looking for authentic venues over trendy hotspotsCouples wanting a unique date night with organic vegetarian food and live music

Quick Details

1

Green Note

⭐️ Intimate
⭐️ Bohemian
⭐️ Acoustic focused
🌱 Vegetarian
⭐️ Listening room

Camden's intimate basement sanctuary where folk, roots, and world music find their perfect acoustic home. Green Note's two-room setup creates a unique dynamic - the quiet front room for pre-performance conversations and the back room with a small stage for live shows. This bohemian gem, just 2 minutes from Camden tube, serves organic vegetarian and vegan world tapas alongside their music programming. The venue's worn-in basement atmosphere, with low ceilings and cozy seating, creates an authentic listening room experience that larger venues cannot replicate. Nightly programming features singer-songwriters, folk acts, and world music artists in an environment that prioritizes musical storytelling. The famous carrot cake has become as much of a draw as the performances. With moderate pricing for the area, it attracts serious music lovers who appreciate both quality performances and quality food.

What's Great

βœ“ Perfect acoustics for acoustic and folk performances

βœ“ Two distinct spaces allow for different energy levels throughout the evening

Keep in Mind

Γ— Must book tables ahead for dinner during shows - walk-ins rarely get seating

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 6:30pm sharp to claim front room seating for optimal experience before the music begins

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

πŸ•"Mon-Thu: 6:30pm-11pm\nFri-Sat: 6:30pm-12am\nSun: 6:30pm-10:30pm"
πŸ’·Β£Β£Β£
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Green Note has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.