Dogstar is one of South London's premier party spots; located on Coldharbour Lane, it draws revellers from far and wide with three floors of fun and frolics. Having been a favourite of mine for some time, I thought I was definitely due another visit to this little gem.
The Venue
From the outside Dogstar, and Coldharbour Lane itself, can look a little... run down. However if you've ever been to Brixton before, you'll know that it's all part of the charm of the area. Step inside Dogstar and you're greeted by an industrial looking space; the ground floor bar is lengthy and seating consists of booths and small tables scattered around. In the evening the tables in the centre are shifted to make way for Dogstar's infamous dance floor. As you stroll through the venue you'll be greeted by a more comfortable looking lounge space, followed by a back room with a pool table and table football, all part of their "party pub" image. Upstairs are two more floors which are more clubby spaces, again with a very industrial and stripped-back look.
Rustic and charming, Dogstar is a great place to kick back and party.
The Atmosphere and Clientele
If you're arriving late on a Friday night, expect it to be very busy. The queue (if there is one) moves very quickly however so don't panic. Dogstar is a haven for the rapidly growing number of trendy twenty-somethings that frequent this area of South London, so expect the mood to be upbeat and the music pumping. The dance floor at Dogstar is always packed due to the excellent resident DJs spinning a whole host of house, RnB and indie tunes to keep everyone happy. Dogstar really comes into its own after dark where the fun and friendly crowd let loose and party till the early hours. The main emphasis tends to be on groups of friends having a big night out, so I'd steer clear if you're after a cosy date night pub.
Despite its rustic edge, the lounge area is comfy and great for catching a breath.
The Drinks
Keeping up with its signature "party pub" image, Dogstar offers a simple yet quality drinks offering. You might not be able to order a dazzling French Martini, but remember people, this is Brixton, not Soho. Expect a great range of bottled and draught beer behind the bar, alongside an equally strong wine and spirit offering. Oh yeah, they do a good deal on Jagerbombs too, so if you're anything like me, you'll check that out.
The booth seating makes great alcoves for friends to enjoy drinks day and night.
Summary
Dogstar ticks all the boxes for me when it comes to late night partying in South London; it's unapologetically laid back, and doesn't try the needless pretention you might find down the road in Clapham. Simple and effective might sound boring, but not at Dogstar, where the venue and the clientele keep the party going all night!
