Union Chapel — Attraction in London

Beautiful venue, one of my faves. I have been going for years and it's always been a thoroughly enjoyable experience... Until my last visit.

The musical performance itself was excellent, and I can't fault the performers, sound, lighting or performance area. I wont name the performers, as I have no complaints concerning them. However, there was an interval during the performance, and we were encouraged to head to the bar to get refreshments. This was when we stumbled on some issues.

The queue was obviously huge, as the bar area is not big enough to accommodate the full capacity of the music venue.

A friend and I decided we would step outside for some fresh air, instead of wait in line to purchase a drink, but we were told there was strictly no re admission and so we weren't able to leave! (This has not been my experience before as I have previously left the venue and re entered). We were informed that there was a smoking area we could use (which neither of us wanted to visit) so we reluctantly headed to the crowded bar area.

We joined the back of the (very large) queue to purchase drinks. We received our drinks minutes before the scheduled restart of the concert. Nevertheless, we sat down and finished them in the bar as we weren't permitted to take them back into the performance area (in credit to the venue, could hear the concert through a small p.a. in the bar).

Once our drinks were finished, which only took ten or so rushed minutes, as we headed back to our seats, some of the staff asked if we were leaving already... I told them we were on our way back into the concert. "Good luck finding a seat then!" Was their slightly amused reply.

I would hope that the management's policy on re admission is swiftly rethought, or the bar area's capacity is increased to accommodate the amount of people requiring refreshments and seating during any scheduled intervals...

Sadly, it made what should have been a wonderful experience, a stressful and unpleasant visit to the Union Chapel, which is certainly not my previous experience of this beautiful performance space....

Run down church, that rushes you out of there, not allowing you to go to the toilet or look for an lost item.

Lost my ring on an event. The security rushed me out of the building, not allowing me to seek my ring. That's okay...if they had made the effort to search for it themselves the day after. I called them few times, they never picked up the phone. My pet got sick, so I was slow to message them, they are obviously lacking communication as the person answering the email said it's 'not found'. 3 security guards, including their leader, knew I lost that ring, they could have let the others in the church to know to keep it. Considering they also gave me contact info so that security guard could have gone inside afterwards and said that it was lost to the others. Security was on the other hand rude as they didn't allow us few minutes to look for the ring and wanted to forcefully get us out of the toilet when we went there. Obviously no one communicates, or cares about anything but their own skin. Pretty sure it is probably pocketed more likely then donated or not found as they claim.

That is why only proper venues should have the right to organise events, not churches and schools. Deffo their lost and found period is only 3 weeks because they are greedy for the money to sell what they find, very 'good person' behaviour. After all the church themselves said that if it weren't for the events they would close. Probably it would be better to close down.

Mind you those are...

A Magical Music Venue in London!

Union Chapel in Islington is hands down one of the most atmospheric and unique music venues in London. A working church by day and an intimate gig space by night, it offers a stunning setting for live performances, blending history, acoustics, and ambiance in a way that few other venues can match.

The acoustics are simply breathtaking. Thanks to the chapel’s high ceilings and original Victorian Gothic architecture, sound carries beautifully. Every note feels rich and immersive, with a natural reverb that adds a special warmth to the music.

The is traditional church pews, which adds to the charm but can get a little uncomfortable for longer gigs—bringing a cushion is a pro tip! However, the space is intimate enough that most seats offer a great view of the stage, unlike larger venues where you might feel miles away from the action.

The soft lighting, stained glass windows, and historic setting create a magical and almost spiritual experience, making gigs here feel extra special.

If you're looking for a music venue with soul, history, and incredible sound quality, Union Chapel is a must-visit. Just don’t forget that it’s an unlicensed venue—so no bar, but there’s a lovely café serving tea and cake, adding to the cosy,...