Heavenly Records were a key part of the ‘90s dance scene, being home to melodic dance stalwarts St Etienne and releasing Flowered Up's anthem "Weekender," but it was through the now-legendary Heavenly Social club night that they really made an impact. The Chemical Brothers (or Dust Brothers, as they were then), Richard Fearless, Jon Carter, Beth Orton, and Dot Allison all attended their first parties. Then it moved to Turnmills, where they continued for years (a name change to Heavenly Jukebox around 1998).

The Social Bar was opened to carry on in the spirit of the label: eclectic music and relaxed atmosphere, and presumably somewhere a bit calmer, as the main players in this scene are older and wiser and looking for something a bit less full on than the old club nights. As clubbing in London has changed in recent years (not for the better), and we are also getting older, we welcomed this bar, and at first it was brilliant.

It is a small venue set out on two floors. The upstairs bar area is quiet and houses the jukebox, reportedly the best in London. Downstairs is noisier and has the small stage area where the bands play and the DJ booth. There are various sized tables, but never enough, and usually lots of people are standing. The drink prices are about average for central London. They also serve food that they describe as comfort food: cheese on toast, beans on toast, fish finger sandwiches, twiglets, etc., which is good, unpretentious stuff, but rather expensive for what it is. They do cocktails as well, but I've never had one nor seen anyone else order one. It’s not really a cocktail kind of place, with more pints of lager or the occasional white wine type venue.

The music as policy remains brilliant (dub, electronica, 'baggy', ska, northern soul, live bands), but its location, north of Oxford Street, has meant that it has now been infiltrated by crowds of office workers who aren't interested in the music and just want somewhere convenient to drink.