Under the arches

It's almost 10pm on a Friday night, and we're watching two women hang on suspended hoops for dear life as a third rides about on a mini tricycle dressed as a bear. In the next room, there's a giant video screen showing a baby's face. The soundtrack to it all is a gipsy folk racket that people are starting to dance to. This is an eye-poppingly surreal start to any evening out.

We're at Shunt Lounge, hidden away beneath London Bridge station. It's one of London's best-kept clubbing secrets - in fact, it's so good, it's tempting to want to keep it to yourself.

Where else in London can you check out avant garde installations, chew the fat over some video art, see a wacky Edinburgh Festival-style performance, drink and then dance the night away?

And how many of the thousands of commuters who tramp through the busy station every day know about this inspiring netherworld that's hidden away underneath their feet?

Which brings us to the first challenge with Shunt Lounge - finding the entrance. My friend Jess and I turn up at the station at 9pm and, as instructed by friends who have been before, we head for the little brown door - lower level, opposite the pie stall. There's no sign and it's unmarked.

Later in the evening as I pop out for air I observe a couple of bewildered wouldbe punters wondering around like wide-eyed extras from 28 Days Later. Luckily, these lost souls do eventually find their way in. But this is part of Shunt Lounge's appeal. It's a hidden gem, spread over the past 18 months by word of mouth alone.

We sidle in, pay our £10 entry and enjoy the Aladdin's cave moment as the club rolls out in front of us. We wander down the long dark passage that forms the spine of the subterranean venue.

At the other end we emerge into a different world to find a stage where bands perform, a bar which is so odd (in a good way) that it looks like it was designed by hobbits, and the high brick arches of this former wine warehouse, each forming distinct parts of the club.

It's rough round the edges but the darkness, exposed brickwork and candlelight add to its historic otherworldliness. The furniture is clapped out and mismatched: sofas, school desks and a grand piano.

A different artist from the collective that runs Shunt Lounge curates the venue every week, so every weekend you get a new surprise. Artist Layla Rosa has programmed the action we witness tonight.