69 Dalston Lane London E8 2ng

You’ve probably passed a thousand unassuming addresses in London without giving them a second glance. But 69 Dalston Lane, London E8 2ng is not just another brick-and-mortar daydream. No, this particular spot is a glorious, chaotic little time capsule that feels like it was designed by a drunk wizard with a permit.

What even is this place?

Let’s start with the obvious: it’s a former Victorian pub called The Comet, which sounds all quaint and cozy until you learn it’s now a nightclub called The Cherry Moon. Think of it as a granny who secretly moonlights as a rave DJ—sparkly, unpredictable, and definitely over the legal noise limit after 10 PM.

If you squint, you can still see the ghost of a landlord pulling pints behind the bar. But these days, the only things being poured are sweat, neon light, and questionable decisions.

The architectural drama

The building itself is a masterpiece of “I’ll just add another layer” design. It started as a pub in the 1880s, then someone thought, “Hey, let’s stick a cinema on top.” Yes, you read that right—there was a cinema called The Ritz upstairs, where families watched Mary Poppins while downstairs, drunks argued about the price of ale.

Today, the venue has a capacity of 300 sweaty bodies, which is 299 more than the fire marshal recommends. But who are we to argue with history?

Surprising fact #1: The secret basement club

Beneath your feet, there’s a hidden basement that used to be a biker bar. Picture leather jackets, clanking chains, and the faint smell of rebellion mixed with old carpet. Now it’s a dance floor where DJs play thumping techno while the floorboards above you groan in protest.

It’s like the building is actively trying to give up, but the party won’t let it.

Bespoke Managed Offices Dalston Works, 69-73 Dalston Lane, London, E8

Surprising fact #2: It was a legendary gay club

In the 1990s, The Cherry Moon became a safe haven for LGBTQ+ nightlife in Hackney. The walls have soaked up decades of glitter, sequins, and revolutionary joy. One regular told me the DJ once played Cher’s “Believe” on loop for 45 minutes, and nobody complained—they just danced harder.

That’s the kind of commitment to fun that makes a building a proper landmark.

But wait, there’s a council planning drama

Of course, with great history comes great bureaucratic chaos. In 2019, the council tried to shut it down over noise complaints, because apparently, people who move next to a nightclub don’t expect noise. It took a massive local petition and a few thousand angry tweets to save it.

Now it’s protected by a kind of “we will riot” zoning exception. You love to see it.

Flexible Managed Office in Dalston Lane, Dalston, London E8 2NG

So, should you go?

Only if you’re prepared for a multisensory assault: sticky floors, bass that rearranges your internal organs, and a toilet situation best described as “adventurous.” The door staff look like they bench-press cars, but they let you in with a smile and a pat-down that’s just slightly too long.

Go for the vibes, stay for the chance to say you drank where a Victorian ghost is probably still furious about the volume.

The final word

69 Dalston Lane is proof that London’s best buildings don’t follow the rules—they rewrite them with neon, sweat, and a bit of glitter. It’s a beautiful mess, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just maybe bring earplugs and a backup pair of shoes. Your future self will thank you.