The Old Blue Last

Three Centuries of Transformation

The Old Blue Last occupies one of London's most historically layered sites. In 1576, venture capitalist James Burbage constructed The Theatre on this very ground—the first permanent playhouse in England and the venue where Shakespeare's early works were performed. When Burbage relocated his operation south of the river, where it became The Globe, Shoreditch transformed into a district of craftspeople and vice. In 1700, a pub called The Last was built on the abandoned theatre site, its name derived from the wooden block cobblers used to mold shoes, reflecting the neighbourhood's shoemaking heritage. The current building dates to 1876, when Truman's brewery demolished the original and rebuilt it as The Old Blue Last. The massive ornate mirror behind the bar survives from this Victorian reconstruction, having miraculously escaped destruction through decades of raucous nights.

From Brothel to Cultural Powerhouse

Throughout the 20th century, The Old Blue Last reflected Shoreditch's shifting character. By the 1970s and 1990s, it operated as a rough East End boozer, its second floor functioning as an illegal strip club and brothel. The neighbourhood itself remained dangerous and marginalised, a far cry from its theatrical origins. This all changed in 2004 when VICE magazine purchased the dilapidated pub, recognising its potential as a cultural hub. The acquisition marked a turning point: VICE invested in transforming the space into a legitimate live music venue while preserving its authentic, unglamorous character. The shabby exterior and worn interior became assets rather than liabilities, embodying the raw energy that would define the venue's new era.

The Golden Age of British Indie and Alternative Music

Between 2009 and 2017, The Old Blue Last became a proving ground for emerging British talent. Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, IDLES, George Ezra, Klaxons, Lily Allen, Hot Chip, and Simian Mobile Disco all performed early career shows here, many before achieving mainstream success. The venue's reputation for hosting breakthrough acts became so established that playing The Old Blue Last became a rite of passage for artists climbing the ranks of the British music scene. The band Fucked Up famously destroyed the furniture during a performance—an act of nominative determinism that left its mark on the venue's aesthetic. The ceiling has collapsed multiple times over the years, each incident becoming part of the venue's mythology rather than a reason for closure.

The Physical Space and Atmosphere

The Old Blue Last occupies a distinctive three-storey corner building at the intersection of Great Eastern Street and Curtain Road, its curved brick facade resembling the bow of a ship. The ground floor functions as a traditional pub with a well-stocked bar, obligatory fairy lights, and a disco ball. Dark wood floors bear the grooves of countless dancers and crowd surfers, evidence of years of high-energy performances. The upstairs space transforms into a more intense live music and clubbing environment, with DJ sets ranging from deep house to techno. The venue operates without pretension—no craft beer connoisseurship, no culinary ambitions, no attempt at sophistication. Instead, it prioritises atmosphere, community, and uncompromising commitment to live music and grassroots culture.

Contemporary Programming and Community Role

Today, The Old Blue Last maintains a seven-day weekly program of live music, DJ sets, and special events. Monday nights feature a pub quiz at 7pm, while weekday early bird drinks run from 1pm to 5pm. The venue remains free to enter on most nights, a rarity in contemporary London and a deliberate choice to maintain accessibility for emerging artists and their audiences. The programming reflects the venue's continued dedication to discovering and nurturing new talent while occasionally hosting established acts. The space has been adapted over the years—a second-floor flat was refurbished as a private hire bar in 2018—but the core identity remains unchanged: a loud, unpretentious, music-focused establishment where atmosphere and authenticity trump comfort and refinement.

Cultural Legacy and Literary Presence

The Old Blue Last has transcended its role as a music venue to become embedded in London's cultural fabric. It appears in Robert Galbraith's crime novel "Career of Evil" as a meeting place for detective Cormoran Strike, cementing its status as an iconic Shoreditch landmark. The venue's history—from Shakespeare's theatre to illegal brothel to alternative music institution—makes it a physical embodiment of Shoreditch's transformation from marginal district to cultural centre. Staff members have reported unexplained phenomena, leading to the affectionate claim that the pub is haunted by Shakespeare himself, a fitting ghost for a building that once hosted his performances.