“The vibe is minimal, stylish, dancing encouraged,” co-owner Danny Saunders tells Broadsheet. “Just a fun place, not table service or anything.”
Despite such modesty, east London’s latest late-night music and arts venue is part of a rich history. Situated directly opposite Leytonstone’s leafy 200-year-old St John’s Churchyard, this new two-floored bar and club is housed in same building as the Grade II-listed art deco public library. What’s more, for two decades it was legendary grassroots gig venue Luna, which finally closed its doors in 2024.
So why the new name? “Its meaning is two-pronged,” says bar director Luke Condell. “Obviously, there’s the location opposite the church, and the idea of being the voice of a community. But an alternative meaning exists if you exchange the last a for an e – which is what we’ve done with the space itself.”
This new – or should we say “altered” – chapter comes courtesy of a powerhouse east London collab between Chop Shop Tavern – a dive bar on nearby Tilbury Road (of which Condell is also bar director) – Leytonstone’s Shake The High Road Festival founder Simon Singleton, Dreamhouse Records owner Jon Clifford, and music industry mogul Toby L from Transgressive Records, home to Foals, Arlo Parks and Leytonstone-raised icon Damon Albarn himself.
Key to the whole enterprise is the 100-capacity basement venue, with its late license (it can stay open until 3am on weekends) and industrial concrete feel. As well as film screenings and arts events, there’ll be live music “at least three times a week,” says Singleton.
The opening schedule indeed punches hard, from hot newcomers like Girl In The Year Above and Hackney Wick-based Bedroom Tax to classic artists including Simian Mobile Disco, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, singer-songwriters Ed Harcourt and Suggs, and an in-conversation evening with cultural titan Louis Theroux. It will also be “a meaningful community space for the next generation of creatives,” says Saunders, offering free rehearsal space for young local musicians, along with live session recording and podcasting facilities.
While music is at Altar’s epicentre, the wood-panelled ground-floor cocktail bar will be the draw for many. Channelling an intimate feel, with subtle lighting and a colour palette of rust reds, tans and mustards, it’s “a retro-futuristic combination of 1970s luxe, mid-century modern and high-tech,” says Essex-based interior designer Katie Richardson. Behind the bar hang new releases and classic vinyl, all for sale, from nearby Dreamhouse Records, who will host artist performances and album launches (don’t miss the mezzanine vinyl listening area with super-comfy banquette).
Drinks-wise, seven draft taps feature four Leyton and Walthamstow-based breweries, including Libertalia, Gravity Well, The Real Al and Signature, as well as a dozen still and sparkling wines. Eight signature cocktails are wittily grouped as either “A-sides” (crowd-pleasing) or “B-sides” (adventurous), including an Apples & Pears, an intriguing concoction of calvados, pear eau de vie, apple and pear juice, a Sgroppino, featuring gelato from Tilbury Road’s famed Chunk Provisions, and the more savoury Olive Martini (olive vodka, manzanilla, Dolin Dry vermouth and house olive brine) and Caprese Gimlet (gin, tomato, basil and black pepper).
The food offering is posh hotdogs “with interesting twists,” says Condell. As well as the standard dog and its sibling the bacon chilli cheese, you can expect a twist on a banh mi, with a “layer of umami-packed pate, kachumber, soy chilli pickled carrot and crispy onions,” while the currywurst will pack in Berlin-style curry ketchup, and raita, mango chutney, kachumber and smashed-up papadams.
“Ultimately, we want it to be a journey down from upstairs to downstairs. We didn't want the two floors to be the same,” says Saunders. “It’s like a listening bar, although definitely not a listening bar.”
Stephen Emms writes a weekly Substack called Leytonstoner about the food and drink scene primarily in Leyton, Leytonstone, Stratford, Forest Gate and Walthamstow.
Altar
7 Church Lane, E11 1HG
Hours:
Wed 3pm–midnight
Thu 3pm–1am
Fri & Sat 3pm–3am
Sun 3pm–midnight
