New jazz venue to launch in Stoke Newington

Speakeasy. Pic: Trevor Joseph

It has been seven years since the much loved Vortex jazz club migrated South from Stoke Newington to Dalston leaving in its place a slightly less musical, and much contested, Nandos.

But now the man behind Yumyum restaurant is bringing jazz back to Stoke Newington with the launch of a new venue on the high street this month.

Atique Choudhry, owner of Yumyum, Speakeasy, Oishiii and Mercado restaurants has secured a 2am license for weekends at his Speakeasy diner on Stoke Newington Road and is set to launch an intimate jazz lounge in the basement of the premises.

The bar will hold 40 people and will “showcase new talent”, hosting prohibition-era blues and jazz to complement the American-retro vibe in the burger joint above.

Choudhry told Eastlondonlines : “After The Vortex closed on Church Street there has been a massive gap in the market for a great venue. The area between Church Street and Dalston is really struggling – shops are closing down, it’s really not good”.

He explained that by using his 30 years of experience in Stoke Newington and employing local suppliers and promoters, he plans to help the regeneration process in the area: “It’s the creation of good, small businesses that will pull this country out of recession”.

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