The Olfa Club: A New Sonic and Sensory Destination in East London
Walthamstow in east London has welcomed a distinctive new venue that blends high-fidelity audio with refined beverage culture. The Olfa Club, located at 46 St James Street, represents the latest evolution of the listening bar trend that has been gradually emerging across the capital in recent years.
A Japanese-Inspired Concept with a Focus on Precision
This Japanese-inspired establishment distinguishes itself through a meticulous approach to both sound and sustenance. The venue features a precision hi-fi sound system equipped with top-end studio monitors, creating an immersive auditory environment for patrons. Music selections span jazz, hip-hop, and electronic genres, with an extensive collection of in-house vinyl records available for listening.
Notably, guests are encouraged to bring their own records for what the bar calls a "needle drop" session, allowing audiophiles to experience their personal collections through the venue's premium audio equipment.
Curated Beverage Program Beyond Expectations
The Olfa Club's beverage offerings extend far beyond conventional bar fare. The establishment serves wine exclusively by the glass from an ever-changing selection of over 40 options, ranging from accessible choices starting at £5 to premium vintage champagnes priced up to £100 per glass.
Perhaps most unusually, the bar has developed a specialized mineral water tasting experience. Each customer receives a complimentary carafe of pure water accompanied by a pipette of mineral concentrate, allowing them to sample waters from various global sources. One particularly distinctive mineral drop is said to replicate the groundwater characteristics of an Italian volcano.
Culinary and Coffee Credentials
The venue carries forward the coffee expertise of its founders, who previously established the popular Long & Short café nearby. The Olfa Club offers more than 30 coffee blends and maintains a specialized "vault" freezer where rare coffee beans—including Panama Geisha, Sidra, and Eugenioides varieties—are stored at -24°C to preserve optimal flavor profiles.
While the current food menu focuses on snacks, the bar has ambitious culinary plans in development. A rotating resident chef program is underway, beginning with Eastern Platters, a London-based home-style supper club that will introduce Malaysian-inspired dishes to the kitchen.
Design and Community Approach
The interior design embraces a warm, retro aesthetic with 1970s-inspired furniture, exposed brick walls, and carefully considered lighting that creates an intimate atmosphere. In keeping with its underground sensibility, The Olfa Club operates without a traditional website, instead managing communications through a WhatsApp community where event details and updates are shared. The venue also maintains an active Instagram presence for those seeking additional information.
This new addition to Walthamstow's cultural landscape represents a sophisticated twist on the listening bar concept, combining audio excellence with unexpected beverage experiences in a thoughtfully designed environment that encourages both sonic exploration and social connection.
