Barfly became more than a venue. It became the centre of a scene. From Camden, the Barfly brand expanded into multiple venues across the UK, launched The Fly magazine and created the Barfly Sessions television series, helping introduce countless artists to new audiences and establishing itself as one of the most influential names in grassroots music.

Barfly wasn't just somewhere to see bands. It was where music history happened. A second home for music fans. A cornerstone of Camden's reputation as one of the world's great music neighbourhoods. A place where careers were launched, scenes were born and unforgettable nights became part of music folklore.

However, in 2016, Barfly closed and was replaced by Camden Assembly, which hosted gigs by Yungblud, Olivia Dean, The 1975, Twenty One Pilots, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Last Dinner Party.

In 2025, Propaganda Independent Venues acquired the venue. Co-founders Dan Ickowitz-Seidler and Richard Buck were joined by co-owner Chris McCormack, one of Camden's most recognisable music figures.

For them, bringing back Barfly wasn't about nostalgia. It was about restoring one of the most important names in grassroots music.

Chris first headlined Barfly in 1997 with 3 Colours Red before going on to create the legendary Camden Rocks Festival. Dan celebrated his eighteenth birthday here, played on its stage with his own band, promoted club nights within its walls and DJ'd at Barfly's closing night in 2016. Rich promoted some of his earliest shows at the venue. For all three owners, Barfly's return is deeply personal.

Few artists capture the Barfly spirit better than Frank Turner. His band Million Dead played their first ever show at Barfly in 2001. As a solo artist, he played a record six headline shows on the Barfly stage and, in a full circle moment, returning to headline the venue's reopening night in June 2026.

Today, Barfly returns with the same purpose it has always had:

To give tomorrow's headliners a stage before the world discovers them.

Before the arenas, they were here.