Mu

Nothing says Friday night in Dalston like a plate of sashimi and a little session on the bongos. At least not at Mu, anyway. How you experience this Japanese fusion jazz bar can depend on where you sit in its cavernous bunker-ish space. The wide rectangular bar is lit by orbs and far enough away from the stage for canoodling dates to hear each other over blaring renditions of Buena Vista Social Club, while the dining room is a mix of dimly lit tables and lively banquettes. Some are close enough for you to feed the pianist the perfectly decent tonkatsu, others are far enough away for you to speak normally and hail down a server in peace. On weekends Mu is heaving and given the well-made martinis, we’re not surprised. But for music-lovers, the music (and food) may be more enjoyable on a weeknight.

photo credit: Dan Preston

photo credit: Charlie McKay