The Three Compasses, Dalston: Pub in London

Dalston has plenty of places to eat and plenty of places to dance. The Three Compasses is a food venue that leans towards the second. Expect DJ-led nights, themed parties and bills built around a particular sound. Some are busy and loud. Others are smaller, with people who came for one set. The programming changes with the calendar, so the name of a night tells you more than the venue does. Food is the base here, which makes it easy to eat first and stay on. That suits groups who want a meal before a night out, and anyone who would rather not choose between the two. The crowd tends to be mixed and dressed for a night out, not a formal one. Check the sound of a night before you go.