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Troy Bar

live music venues•
London
London

Troy Bar

10 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6NG

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Hoxton Street, Troy Bar operates as something of a dual personality – by day a Caribbean restaurant serving authentic dishes alongside pizzas and cocktails, by night a pulsating live music venue that's earned its stripes as the area's best kept secret. With its legendary Tuesday 'Hoxton Jam' sessions and intimate low-ceilinged atmosphere, this venue punches well above its weight in London's competitive music scene.

Troy Bar: Hoxton's Caribbean Soul Meets Underground Music Scene

Where Tuesday night jam sessions turn a cozy restaurant into East London's most authentic musical melting pot

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into Troy Bar and you're immediately struck by the intimate, almost conspiratorial atmosphere created by those famously low ceilings and cozy layout. The space carries a distinctly community-driven energy that shifts dramatically depending on when you visit. During quieter moments, it feels like a neighborhood Caribbean restaurant where conversations flow easily – the venue scores 7.5/10 for conversation-friendly vibes. But when the music kicks in, particularly during those Tuesday jam sessions, the energy level rockets to an impressive 8.5/10, transforming the modest space into something electric. The venue's 7.5/10 uniqueness score becomes evident in how seamlessly it blends Caribbean soul with experimental music culture. It's refreshingly unpretentious with a 4.0/10 sophistication rating, meaning you can rock up in whatever you're wearing without feeling underdressed. The flexibility rating of 8.0/10 speaks to how the space adapts to different moods and events throughout the week.

Food & Drink

The menu reflects Troy Bar's dual Caribbean-meets-casual dining identity, offering authentic Caribbean dishes alongside a surprisingly diverse selection including pizzas, burgers, wraps, fresh salads, and sides. While the venue data indicates authentic Caribbean cuisine as a key draw, I should note that specific details about food quality aren't extensively documented in my research. What I can tell you is that the venue maintains its reputation for authenticity in the Caribbean offerings, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails, quality beers, wines, and spirits. The kitchen seems designed to fuel the music crowd rather than compete with fine dining establishments, which aligns perfectly with the venue's community-focused, unpretentious vibe. The combination of Caribbean authenticity with crowd-pleasing options like pizza suggests they've found their niche serving both the local Hoxton community and the rotating cast of musicians and music lovers.

Service & Experience

With a community-driven atmosphere and reputation as a supportive space for local artists, the service philosophy at Troy Bar appears centered on fostering that warm, welcoming environment rather than formal hospitality. The venue's 3.0/5 TripAdvisor rating suggests experiences can be inconsistent, which is worth noting. However, the consistent praise for the vibrant music scene and community atmosphere indicates that when Troy Bar gets it right, the staff contribute significantly to that high-energy creative environment. The intimate venue size means you're likely dealing with a small, tight-knit team who understand the dual nature of running both a restaurant and live music venue.

Value for Money

Troy Bar operates at price level 1 out of 4, positioning itself firmly in affordable territory with good value drinks that make it genuinely student-friendly. This pricing strategy clearly supports its role as a community hub where local artists and music lovers can afford to spend entire evenings without breaking the bank. The moderate pricing extends across both food and drinks, making it accessible for those Tuesday jam sessions that run from 8:45pm to 1am. For what you get – authentic Caribbean food, quality drinks, and some of East London's most genuine live music experiences – the value proposition is compelling. The affordability factor becomes particularly important during those extended jam sessions where you might find yourself staying much longer than originally planned, drawn in by the experimental genre-blending performances.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Tuesday nights from 8:30pm onwards are absolutely essential for the full Troy Bar experience – arrive by 8:30pm to secure good sightlines before the legendary Hoxton Jam kicks off at 8:45pm and runs until 1am. The venue operates Monday-Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday-Saturday 5pm-2am, and Sunday 5pm-12am, but Tuesday is when the magic truly happens with jazz, funk, soul, reggae, hip-hop, blues, rock, Latin, and Afrobeat colliding in experimental performances.

What to Focus On

Focus on the authentic Caribbean dishes to experience what locals consistently praise, paired with their expertly crafted cocktails. The venue's reputation rests heavily on Caribbean authenticity, so lean into that rather than playing it safe with the pizzas and burgers.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Roll up Tuesday at 8:30pm sharp to claim optimal stage views before the jam session hits maximum capacityThe venue welcomes experimental collaboration across genres, so if you're musically inclined, this is genuinely a space where spontaneous participation is encouragedDespite the modest TripAdvisor rating, the music community consistently rates this as essential – trust the musicians over the general reviewers

The Final Verdict

Troy Bar succeeds because it doesn't try to be everything to everyone – it's unapologetically itself. The 3.0/5 TripAdvisor rating might give you pause, but that likely reflects the venue's uncompromising focus on authentic music culture over polished customer service. When you're here for the right reasons – genuine Caribbean food, affordable drinks, and some of London's most experimental live music – Troy Bar delivers an experience that's increasingly rare in gentrified East London. The Tuesday Hoxton Jam alone justifies the venue's reputation as a hidden gem, offering something genuinely special in a city oversaturated with manufactured 'experiences.'

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Musicians and serious music lovers seeking authentic jam session cultureStudents and young professionals wanting affordable nights out with genuine creative energyAnyone craving authentic Caribbean cuisine in an unpretentious, community-focused setting

Quick Details

1

Troy Bar

⭐️ Hidden gem
⭐️ Caribbean
⭐️ Genre blending
⭐️ Experimental
⭐️ Intimate

Hoxton's best-kept secret blends authentic Caribbean restaurant with vibrant live music bar in an intimate, low-ceilinged space that creates magical acoustic properties. Every Tuesday from 8:45pm to 1am, the legendary 'Hoxton Jam' transforms this cozy venue into a creative playground where jazz, funk, soul, reggae, hip-hop, blues, rock, Latin, and Afrobeat collide in electrifying performances. The supportive community welcomes local artists and music lovers alike, fostering experimental collaboration across genres that you won't find at more rigid venues. Beyond the Tuesday jams, Troy Bar hosts DJ sets, private events, and spontaneous sessions that emerge organically from the evening's energy. The authentic Caribbean dishes complement expertly crafted cocktails, creating a complete cultural experience. Despite mixed online reviews, visitors consistently praise the authentic food and vibrant music scene.

What's Great

✓ Tuesday Hoxton Jam runs until 1am with incredible genre-blending sessions

✓ Authentic Caribbean dishes served alongside live music in intimate setting

Keep in Mind

× Mixed TripAdvisor rating suggests inconsistent experience quality

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Roll up Tuesday at 8:30pm to claim good sightlines to the stage before the jam session hits capacity

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
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Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Thu: 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat: 5pm-2am, Sun: 5pm-12am"
📍10 Hoxton Street, London, N1 6NG
💷££
📞+44 20 7739 6848
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Troy Bar has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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