12 Bar Club

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The 12 Bar Club logo on the main stage.

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The 12 Bar Club is one of the smallest live music venues in London, England. It is located in Denmark Street, aka "Tin Pan Alley". Music includes blues, country music, folk, pop, rock and acoustic sets.

The club's building was originally constructed in 1635 as stables. It was later converted into a forge for the St Giles area that was used until World War I. It then became a carpenter's shop until shortly after World War II, when it was used as store rooms.

During the 1980s, the building housed The Forge Folk & Blues Club, founded by Andy Preston of Andy's Guitar Centre next door. It was originally a social club and music venue for the staff at the guitar centre. In 1994, the club was expanded and renamed the 12 Bar Club. More recently, offices and a restaurant have been added.

The very small stage gives it a very intimate atmosphere. The club has a unique feel, with a number of interconnected rooms. Many of the walls are painted in vivid colours giving it a 1960s ambience.

The club is open every day of the week, until 1am on Monday to Thursday and around 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. The club is well known for staging four acts every night, every day of the week.

[edit] Notable performers

Bands such as Cud and Rhatigan (fronted by the Irish singer songwriter Suzanne Rhatigan) have played at the club. Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera has played at the 12 Bar Club[1], and Robyn Hitchcock played many gigs there over several summers. [2]

Ray Wylie Hubbard, Lloyd Maines and Terri Hendrix have all performed at the venue as well. [3]