Rather crowded on this Bridge

Record label Nuphonic opened this new venue a fortnight ago with launch parties featuring DJs James Lavelle, Norman Jay and Andrew Weatherall - and it's been packed ever since.

They've booked a dazzling array of DJs, with programmes placed on tables to keep you updated with each month's huge line-up, which has obviously gone down well with its ready-made crowd of Shoreditch trendy regulars.

It's doubtful whether people have been flocking in for the decor - a photofit mish mash of Another Hoxton Bar furnishings, chunky wooden bar, exposed vents, concrete floor and grotesque 'retro' red felt curtains - which does little to disguise the venue's origins as a bank.

Similarly, their decision to install a micro-restaurant is unlikely to keep 'em coming back. Are people really going to be ordering a £10.25 organic steak and chips at 9pm on a Friday at such a clubby venue?

The bar menu looks slightly more sensible until you realise they expect you to pay £7.25 for sardines on toast and the tables are so small that two plates, two drinks and condiments are a bit of a squeeze - which meant on our visit a cavalier flick of the knife resulted in the untimely demise of a pepper grinder.

Ultimately, Nuphonic are trying to do too many things with this 'bar/restaurant/ miniclub' - less would definitely be more.

Bridge and Tunnel
4 Calvert Avenue, E2