I hate the Astoria. It is hot and dirty. Smells of armpits!
I always get claustrophobic and have been here when I have been pushed and shoved so much I had bruises.
It has been closing down for a long time..may be a con..get em in.
I only go if I really want to see a band…can’t close soon enough for me. (and I like most places ) :0))

In my opinion this is hands-down the best non-stadium venue in London! Its abit smaller than Brixton academy making shows a little more intimate as you don’t have to push or struggle to get right up close to the acts. Out of all the gigs I’ve been to the sound is always best at the Astoria although I would recommend standing over sitting to get the maximum sonic experience! Great acts play here on a weekly basis so keep a look out for your favourites. Bathrooms facilities are reasonably clean as far as live venues go and the bars are well staffed meaning wait time for drinks is generally very short.

the soon to be closing venue and some would say not before time,as its very run down and dirty.mainly this is a rock venue but on a saturday is home to the famous g-a-y nightclub, check out www.g-a-y.co.uk

This place is an institution, and is right up at the top of my favourite places to see a band (along with the Brixton Academy). It’s dead easy to get to, being right downtown where Tottenham Court Road crosses Oxford Street (so on the Central and Northern tube lines).

It’s dark and dingy, the layout can be a little confusing, there’s not much seating, but it’s what rock ‘n’ roll is all about. It’s just the right size (about 2000 people, I think, max) to get hot bands but be close enough to see. You can stand downstairs, or lean on tiered rails upstairs, (or even get a table and seat if you’re there early enough: there are some along the front and up both sides of the balcony).

There are two bars downstairs, one up at the top of the balcony (when it’s open), and a big bar area in an upstairs back room. The beer is Carling, and it’s not cheap, but it’s always cold. Toilets can be a bit grimy. But you’re not here for cocktails and ambience. You’re here for sweat and loudness and cheesy lights reflecting off the cheesy mirrored lightning bolts on the black, stained walls.

The sound is good, you’re never far from the action, you can mosh or stand quietly, you can lounge in the back bar, you can wait in the alley outside to try to catch your hero leaving.

Who have I seen play here? Who haven’t I seen! I’ve seen Nine Inch Nails, the Dead 60s, Gogol Bordello, Elbow, the Arcade Fire, the Datsuns, Our Lady Peace, Ministry, Teenage Fanclub, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Eels, the Duke Spirit, the Cooper Temple Clause, the Coral, Monster Magnet, Our Lady Peace, South, the Mooney Suzuki, Violent Femmes, an Oxfam gig with Chris Martin and Noel Gallagher, Amy Winehouse, Explosions in the Sky, Johnny Winter and Skinny Puppy.

The Astoria is at risk of being torn down for new developments. That would be a crime against rock, in my opinion.

UPDATE 2008-03-13: the lingering rumours are confirmed: the Astoria will be taken sometime in the next several years to make way for Crossrail. Shame.

This is a great venue to see bands both well established and up-and-coming. It has many bars, including an aptly named Keith Moon bar if you do like your drink, and the facilities are numerous. Seating area is minimal on the upper tier, but i doubt you want to sit anyway if you see a good band