Keep East End cool

'Keeping it local' is a phrase adopted by most East Enders. 'We're family and we stick together,' Peggy Mitchell squeals in her endearing whine, while serving gin and tonic in a bowl. So, in homage to all things market stall, clubbing this weekend takes place within a stone's throw of St Clements - or Spitalfields for the overtly chic.

The thought of listening to Chris Tarrant, Dr Fox and the Cheeky Girls is enough to drive the East End's cool inhabitants over the edge. It's sheer hell and they are understandably driven to pulling out the latest Metro Area 12-inch and blasting it through the chimneys.

Joining them in protest against this drivel - otherwise known as commercial radio - are the DJs taking part in Broadcast, a one-off deck-happy event supporting Londumb, the campaign to stop the dampening down of musical variety on BBC LDN radio. Fred Deakin of Lemon Jelly, Coldcut, DJ Food and Ross Allen are among those taking part. Dirty Vegas, the Chemical Brothers, James Lavelle and Jon Carter are among those who have pledged support. Suggestions to ritualistically burn all Atomic Kitten singles as part of the crusade have been scuppered. Throwing Blue and One True Voice into a bear pit with nothing but their hip-hop beats and smart suits as shields, however, is still in negotiation.

Up the alley and round the corner is And Did We Mention Our Disco?. No, not another night throwing up Rose Royce and Sister Sledge, but grubby punk scraps, bad taste rock-n'roll and wicked electro. Rory Phillips from Trash, Denboy Odell and Glyn are the hosts playing their oddball array of selected sounds to stylish, but (said with haste) not pretentious Shoreditch types.

So it doesn't matter if you turn up in Marks & Spencer chinos and a Ted Baker shirt then? It does? Oh OK, where's the nearest Hoxton boutique? A slashed black T-shirt and jester shoes are required immediately.

If you already own the aforementioned East End wardrobe essentials (and if you've spent more than one evening out in the Old Street area, they've probably become stuck to you like a second skin), Menage A Trois's second birthday will be full of like-minded, composed-as-couture fashionistas. (They're actually from Dagenham, work in Office World and still live at home but, honestly, who can tell under all that make-up?)

Expect a full-on parade of funky debauchery, shiny disco magic and trashy house. In line with their policy of an anti-commercial, underground vibe, the DJs will remain nameless. It's the people and music that count, man.

Having an East End special wouldn't be complete without a mention-in-passing of Fabric, now firmly ensconced in the cultural hubbub of pie and mash. This Saturday, the Tyrant sound system is back with Craig Richards, Lee Burridge, Pete Herbert and a live performance from Readymade in Room One. Terry Francis and Intec Records are in Room Two and Left Foot featuring Different Drummer in Room Three.

The queues will once again be round the block, with some leftovers from Friday night still waiting to get in. Bring a flask of tea and a guitar to while away the hours.

But sod all of the above. The Arches pub on Brick Lane is the new place to be. Karaoke on a Friday with the choice of T'pau, Status Quo and the Eagles is true happiness. The regulars even have their own pint glasses. Now that's the proper East End.

Thursday 6 February: Broadcast, 93 Feet East, Brick Lane E1, 8pm to 2am, £8. Tel: 020 7079 3293. Tube: Liverpool Street

Friday 7 February: And Did We Mention Our Disco?, Plastic People, Curtain Road EC2, 10pm to 3am, £8. Tel: 020 7739 6471. Tube: Old Street

Friday 7 February: Menage A Trois, 333 Old Street EC1, 10pm to 5am, £5 before 10pm, £10 after. Tel: 020 7739 5949. Tube: Old Street

Saturday 8 February: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street EC1, 10pm to 7am. £15/£12. Tel: 020 7336 8898. Tube: Farringdon