The Old Blue Last has a raffish history and is proud of it. It was built in 1700 on the site of the first purpose-built theatre in Britain since the Roman era: James Burbage's The Theatre, subsequently dismantled and rebuilt across the river as the Globe, in the world's most spectacular attempt to avoid paying rent. The Last was named after a cobbler's tool, subsequently renamed The Old Blue Last and enduring through the Victorian era as a working-class pub, only to branch in the 20th century into being a brothel and one of the most notorious bars in Shoreditch. It was bought by Vice magazine in 2004 and they still own it, promising that 'literally no one has shot anyone here since we took over'. The shenanigans are now limited to live music, of which they have a legendarily good booking record: Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, Florence + the Machine, The La's and many others have played here. It's not about great food, beer connoisseurship or child-friendliness (it's very much 18+): it's about atmosphere, which it has to spare, and dedication to live music. The nearest Tube stations are Shoreditch High Street (Overground), Old Street (Northern) and Liverpool Street (Hammersmith & City/Central/Circle/Metropolitan).