Cargo
Cargo has been a Shoreditch fixture since 2001, occupying a set of railway arches on Rivington Street. The venue combines an indoor club space, a separate bar area, and an outdoor terrace that's one of Shoreditch's best warm-weather drinking spots. Programming mixes live bands in the early evening with DJ sets from around 10 PM. The outdoor terrace is open year-round with heaters in winter. The main arch has a capacity of around 400 and hosts everything from indie bands to house DJs to hip-hop nights. Entry is often free before 10 PM, rising to GBP 5-15 later depending on the night. Drinks are priced at GBP 5-7 for beer and GBP 9-13 for cocktails.
What to Expect
A multi-space venue under railway arches with an outdoor terrace. Early evening feels like a bar with live music. After 10 PM it becomes a club. The arched ceilings and brick walls create a warm, industrial atmosphere. Sound carries well through the vaulted space.
Relaxed and social, especially on the terrace. The indoor club space gets more intense after midnight. The railway arch setting gives the whole venue a character that purpose-built clubs can't replicate.
Mixed programming: indie, rock, and soul from live bands early in the evening, transitioning to house, disco, hip-hop, and electronic DJ sets later.
Casual. Shoreditch standard applies: jeans and trainers are fine. The terrace crowd is especially relaxed.
People who want a flexible night: start with live music, transition to dancing, or just drink on the terrace. Groups benefit from the multiple spaces.
Cards and contactless accepted at all bars.
Price Range
Entry free-GBP 15, pints GBP 5-7, cocktails GBP 9-13
GBP 5-15 ≈ USD 6-19 / EUR 6-18
Hours
Mon-Thu 5 PM to 1 AM, Fri 5 PM to 3 AM, Sat noon to 3 AM, Sun noon to midnight.
Insider Tip
Arrive before 10 PM for free entry on most nights. The terrace is the best spot in warm weather. Saturday afternoons have a relaxed daytime vibe that transitions into the evening. Check the listings for live music; some weeknight acts are surprisingly good.
Full Review
Rivington Street is one of Shoreditch's main nightlife arteries, and Cargo's entrance sits midway along it. The railway arches that house the venue give it an instant character: high vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, and a sense of solidity that prefab venues lack.
The outdoor terrace is Cargo's strongest asset. On a warm evening it fills with groups drinking, eating from the street food stalls that set up outside, and enjoying the atmosphere of Rivington Street. In winter, heaters and blankets extend the season. The terrace alone makes Cargo worth visiting even if you have no interest in the indoor programming.
Inside, the main arch hosts the stage and dance floor. Live bands typically play from 7-9 PM, and the quality is variable. Some nights feature genuinely talented acts on the way up; others are forgettable. After the live music, DJs take over and the space transforms into a club. The sound system is adequate for the room without being exceptional.
The bar area is a separate arch, functioning as a quieter space for conversation and drinks. This flexibility makes Cargo work for different moods and group sizes. You can move between the terrace, the bar, and the club floor as the evening evolves.
Cargo's weakness is that it tries to be many things and doesn't excel at any single one. The club nights don't match Fabric or XOYO for sound quality and programming. The live music doesn't match the dedicated gig venues. But the combination of spaces, the terrace, and the location make it a reliable choice for a Shoreditch night out.
The Neighborhood
Rivington Street runs between Shoreditch High Street and Curtain Road, in the middle of the nightlife zone. The Book Club, Callooh Callay, and dozens of other bars are within a three-minute walk. Brick Lane is five minutes east.
Getting There
Shoreditch High Street (Overground) is a 4-minute walk. Old Street (Northern line) is 6 minutes. Liverpool Street (Central, Elizabeth, Hammersmith & City lines) is 8 minutes south.
Address
83 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY
Other Venues in Shoreditch
Fabric
London's most famous electronic music club, housed in a former cold storage warehouse near Smithfield Market. Three rooms with a custom Bodysonic dance floor that lets you feel the bass through the ground.
XOYO
Two-room Shoreditch club that hands residencies to a single DJ or label for three-month stretches. Rotating lineups keep the programming fresh.
The Book Club
Multi-use venue on Leonard Street with a basement bar, ping pong tables, and regular events ranging from life drawing to DJ sets.
Happiness Forgets
Basement cocktail bar on Hoxton Square with a no-standing policy and a frequently changing menu. Regularly listed among London's best cocktail bars.
Rich Mix
Multi-arts venue on Bethnal Green Road with a cinema, gallery, and performance space. Hosts live music, comedy, and club nights.