Cafe OTO

Love coffee there, though it's not cheap according to the SIZE.

The personality of this cafe, in day time which I am almost in, are down to earth.
They even provide free  PLUGs for deparate students, writers who need using laptops there; some places
don't like people doing this.

It's japanese and english mixed space which however interestingly reminds my friend who used to live in
Austin, TX at USA saying the big space, concrete floor and style reminded her memories in Texaas.

It's a place that you want to chill out for a boring or dozy afternoon.
As for the music and night life there, I'll let it for the professional music critics !

This is a really fun place to spend a summer night (in particular!) as it's so huge, airy and cool. Good selection of organic beers for those who fancy a 'worthy' pint, friendly staff, good music and you can still tap on the day's selection of delicious cakes to soak up the booze at the end of the day. It's a bit rough and ready, but this is part of its hip, Dalston-esque charm.

Yay for cafe Oto!

The best music venue in London. You could show up at random, not having checked what's on and be guaranteed an evening of interesting music.

They have a great drinks selections, including their own Oto Ale made for them by the Kernel brewery, and tasty cookies and macaroons. For once, non-drinkers are also well catered for with the lovely range of Luscombe drinks. People are always really friendly too.

i've only been to this place at night - and i really like the vibe. it has an unusual line of live music for most - very enjoyable!

i spoke to the organiser of that night, and he hinted it's one of the few places that offers a platform for more organic and respectful approach between musician and venue.

i think they brew their own beer!

I enjoyed a lot this cool place, nice drinking, nice food, and especially very good concerts of experimental music or poetry. It's just not so easy to go there, so check the website to see what's going on. But be sure it's always interesting and NEW for your ears. The place is comfortable, with friendly people. A nice café in the daytime also, when you're in the neighbourhood.

Usually, if I'm in Dalston, I'm drunk and it's ill advised and I should have gone home hours earlier. On this occassion, only half of that was true. So for once, I actually have fond memories of my night out in Dalston, and the music at Cafe Oto has a lot to do with that.

Actually, that's why we were here. I'd come here to see a band with a friend, and they were pretty fab. Cool folksy stuff. The stage is a decent size, the sound is good, the equipment good and the whole set up works. And considering how many places just think 'let's have live music!' and make a hash of it, this makes me happy.

Beer was Sierra Nevada. Staff were friendly, even though I think I tipsily pissed them off and the rest of the punters were lovely, despite being far too hipster-y. I hear good things about the food, and apparently it's a nice place to work during the day. I don't think I'll come hear very often, it's far too east (and far too cool) for me, but I enjoyed it. If you like you're music interesting and your jeans skinny, you'll like it here.

This is one of my favourite places to work away from home. Late morning work with a tea and one of their lovely cakes. Haven't really been here in the evening yet, so can't comment on that, but daytimes are lovely here.

I started going here a year ago as i wanted to find somewhere quiet to write during the day.

Whenever i go it is full but doesn’t feel cramped as the space is big enough and the tables aren’t jammed in. I often have meetings here, go to sit and read or work. There are always plenty of laptops being tapped away at.

It has a real community feel and there is always interesting stuff going on in the evenings.

The food is good - typical london prices for organic home made stuff. Lots of nice Clipper Teas - great coffee too!

Last time I was here a man came in to tune the Piano - it was lovely! Also, the toilets are big and clean - hooray!

Great for anybody with buggies or Wheelchairs I think - as there is lots of room to move.

A good venue specialising in contemporary and experimental music of all kinds. There’s a decent selection of drinks and food, but the music is the reason to make the trip, and this venue attracts some of the best talent in the country.

Cafe Oto is a new cafe and venue in london offering underground and experimental nights out for the lover of weird and wonderful music from jazz to folk to plain old free laptop noise and plinky plonk. The selection of Organic beers is brilliant and reasonably priced, and the cakes are delicious. However, and it is a BIG however - the sound is TERRIBLE! imagine being inside a low ceilinged and wide concrete box full of chattering people whilst you try to listen to intricate sounds that have been amplified through a sound system that is only big enough for a room one third of the size, so is of course overdriven to hell as well as being too quiet. If they sorted out the P.A. the place would jump straight to 4 stars, but for now they’ll have to stay at 2.