Unmissable food, drink, music and vibes at Stereo

Safe and welcoming 

Stereo occupies a spot on Renfield Lane; the period building it calls home was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. And it was here that the team recently celebrated its 15th birthday with a party over two floors and food served till the strike of midnight. There’s a real sense of community here; it’s super LBGTQA+ friendly with an inclusive, respectful ethos, ensuring it’s a safe space for all. The staff are a fun, welcoming and hardworking bunch who take care to look after their customers.

Inside Stereo

Enter through Stereo’s smart green doors to reach the modern interior space, where huge warehouse windows allow light to flood in by day. It’s unfussy but trendy, with wooden floors, sturdy wooden tables and bar, and retro school-chair-style seating. Large blackboard walls reveal the menus and specials, with bold wallpaper, posters and hanging plants adding bright accents to the upstairs space. Downstairs, the atmosphere is distinctly clubby, incorporating a DJ booth, hanging fairy lights, exposed origins, brick walls and pillars.

Home-cooked produce

The dishes on offer at Stereo are imaginative, ethical, meat and dairy-free, and nutritious. Everything is home-cooked, with a creative soul food feel. The frequently changing menu and specials boards have included the likes of banana blossom, coconut, tender stem broccoli spicy curry with rice; a poke bowl with ‘tuna’ sashimi, pickled cucumber, kimchi, tomato, spring onion, topped with spicy mayo, crispy garlic and black sesame seeds; red pepper and pecan puree topped with roasted lemony cauliflower and toasted pecans; chickpea and cauliflower scramble on sourdough toast with tamarind ketchup; green pumpkin seed romesco with spicy chickpeas, oregano and pea shoot salad; a side of grilled peaches and courgette with pickled onions, fresh chilli and lemon, garlic and parsley dressing; and a dark chocolate hazelnut frangipane and blackcurrant galette with whipped cream to finish.

Vegan drinks

Just in for a drink? You can always add on a bar snack, such as the bravas chips with aioli and tarragon. An indulgent chocolate custard and chocolate-coated doughnut will go perfectly with your afternoon coffee (this a chilled-out spot if you want to hang out for a few hours with a cuppa, your laptop, or a good book). Try a cocktail (again, all the ingredients are vegan), such as the spicy Chipotle Bloody Maria (chipotle morita infused Cazcabel Tequila with tomato juice, Worcester Sauce, lemon and black pepper), or Rosemary’s Baby (Tanqueray Gin with house-made rosemary and lemon gomme and lashings of lemon juice). 

Gluten and wheat-free, low and no-alcohol beers are also available, along with draughts, stouts, IPAs, wine, cider, softs, prosecco and champagne.

Pumping on your stereo

Music fans flock to this place for the stellar lineup of bands, acts and DJs, as well as its wide range of genres, covering everything from progressive metal, to woozy psychedelia, cosmic country folk, reflective country, post-punk, electro-pop, grunge-inspired melodic rock, and afrobeat. The venue’s basement space welcomes the likes of Queer Theory, hosting instalments of their cabaret and club afterparty, the House of Revlon ballroom, as well as occasionally hosting theatre, stand-up, performance, markets, film screenings, book launches and debates. And as you might expect, given its name, the sound system is epic here.

Pushing the boundaries of possibility

Stereo has always been a forward-thinking establishment that loves to collaborate with musicians, artists, promoters and activists. A belief in “the transformative power of music, art and communal experiences” is key to its being. The space downstairs is versatile, catering to a range of private — as well as its public functions — so it’s a great shout if you’re planning something out of the ordinary. 

Come here to eat, drink, dance, listen and to be among friends. Stereo is open throughout the week, from noon to midnight Sunday to Thursday, and noon till 3am Friday to Saturday, with food till 9pm.