Village Underground — Restaurant in London

TLDR: verbal aggression by staff towards attendees. Never witnessed a worse experience with venue staff. Went to see Black Midi performance which was great however I couldn't say the same about the venue. Right off the bat, in the queue to enter the venue, where most people were smoking as the queue was outside on the street, a solo gig attendee got aggressively shouted at by the security guard for smoking, as apparently he (the security guard) was a non smoker and he didn't like the smoke. I feel he targeted her as she was a young woman on her own, the most vulnerable as she did not have a group of friends with her to defend her, and I did not see him shout aggressively to anyone else in the queue. Just seemed like pent up anger and aggression finding someone to take it out on, ruining that poor girls experience (there were no signs anywhere saying no smoking, as well as literally being on the street). Then, as I enter, I go to the woman's bathroom before the gig begins. A long queue as always, and while I am waiting a girl is vomiting in the toilet, which a staff member who was queuing behind me hears. Mid-puke, the staff member starts telling her she needs to go home as highly intoxicated people are not allowed, which I understand, however the condescending and also highly aggressive manner used to talk to this girl, instead of first helping her (which would be the right thing to do) then sending her on her way appalled me. The lack of empathy and strong aggression towards attendees was something I had never witnessed so badly in any other venue, sometimes a bit of distaste that's all. On top of this, the venue is like being packed in a tin of sardines, you can tell they go up to the maximum capacity they legally can to sell more tickets, meaning there is absolutely no space, getting out seemed like a health and safety nightmare - 700 people cramming through one tiny doorway to leave. All in all, there are loads of better venues in London to spend your...

I was invited to the Village Underground as a guest for a concert. Upon arrival, I joined the 10 minute queue, that led to me my first contact with the club - the bouncer. Having been an experienced clubber in the 2000's, I know the drill. But as I approached him, the badly organised queue led me to tripping and giving the bouncer a remark that the fence is too far from the pavement and as such is dangerous. This is where the bouncer felt inclined to comment I was "spaced out!!" He proceeded to search me thoroughly including all my pockets and a bag search with a 4 inch flash light! He felt authorised to dispose all he thought was trash in my bag, like bits of paper or empty water bottles. He stole (took for him self and put it in his pocket) the last remaining dustings of my 420. Finally, having checked every little pocket of my wallet and the amount of money I had on me, he cattled me through to the club.I felt utterly harassed and violated. This is where my visit ended. On the exit, I spoke to a few friends who all seem to agree this behaviour is usual and, as such, normal. I disagree. I was there to spend a good evening with friends, enjoy some music, have a drink and go home reminiscing a pleasant experience. That can't happen if the club chooses to proceed with Drakon entrance policies, that I do understand have their healthy and safety role, but their execution is law violation. Even the police needs a reasonable grounds of suspicion for a search. I wouldn't recommend this...

False advertising. Foiled. Again. I am a lover and collector of villages. I'm something of a village spotter. Noting them all in my notebook which has a sticker of Charlie Dimmock on the front and my favourite Japanese singer Takahiro Momiyama on the back.

I was reading Dr Ben Robinson's wonderful 2022 odyssey and beatnik adventure 'Villages: A journey through time' nearby in a Pret burning my top lip of an atomically powered latte when I saw this establishment referenced on a map. 'Ah ha Dr, you've missed one.'

Missed a village that is. No mention of this one here in Londium I thought. Found one I thought. Looked upwards and purchased a Pret tuna sandwich with pride I did. Bowled on over there more confident that Alan Titchmarsh was when wearing jeans as he was banned from North Korea.

Alas, it's not a bloody village underground. It's not even one of those outrageously ill-named 'model' villages either. Nope, they aren't actually models and this isn't a village and its not underground. Heartbreak nearly ensued. I even threw that sandwich in a direction I can't recall.

Alas, outrage turned to some delight with a lovely show of musical treats, a lovely woman who took my bucket and spade at the cloakroom and a pint of fluid which would have been wonderful to experience in a field of tulips. I'm sorry I threw the sandwich.

It's not a village though in case you...