This is such an amazing creative space! As well as hosting some individual creatives such as Cricket who's an incredible stick-and-poke tattoo artist they also have a huge array of events here that bring everyone together in a safe environment. Love this studio and everyone inside.
Every time I go to XCHC there are constants and also brand new, transient offerings and experiences. The constants include incredible coffee and food (plenty of vegan options for plant-y folks), welcoming and inspiring atmosphere, free WiFi and encouragement of hanging and working on creative projects; artist studios where one can see art being made before them.
The transient experiences and offerings I have witnessed include art exhibitions, markets, pot luck lunches and dinners, nuns listening to disco music and serving mimosas/pancakes, think-tanks, live experimental immersive theatre, quadraphonic psychedelic Beatles Gigs, black light Parties, a John Rowles impersonator, multi zone intentional nightlife events, a music video premiere, 3D projection mapping, DJing lessons, people with fish costumes, a crypto treasure hunt, a platter-making competition, stand up comedy, fireside philosophy chats, charity fundraisers, acro yoga. The walls and layout are also constantly changing - the place is basically a living organism - a true melting pot and art accelerator.
When you arrive it may be chill cafe vibes, but if you check the blackboard you'll see a wide variety of planned events and shenanigans.
So feel free to introduce yourself, the residents will welcome you. You may even want to plan something there yourself.
Met Cricket, who's divine š You're a sensational artist and your work is beautiful. I hope to come and see you next time for something bespoke, for myself.
Amazing creative space! Good coffee and food. Theres always something different going on AND it's a not for profit organisation supporting artists. Worth checking it out!
We went to a vegan buffet organized by SAFE. There's street parking, nice and clean toilets and the place feels very "artistic ".
Fantastic food and coffee, but what really makes this place is the range of fantastic events! Good work, keep it up!
Great venue with ever changing events from yoga to ice baths to 12 hour immersive dance parties. Writing a review without attending at least a dozen times can be hard as the layout changes almost weekly.. Walls could be anything from black and white to childrenās art, graffiti, ketamine inspired deer in the headlights, or simply portraits of John Rowles.
Staff are the artist from the studios in the south wing, so you will be treated in the same way as you behave like any host would in their own house. Itās an honest place with great principles and attitude. Beware of the void.
You wouldnāt believe me if I told you how many people fit in the laundry of the boiler room or why the pineapple behind the velvet ropes in the VIP section has a spoon in it. The purple couch has seen some things and Bino is so chill heās ice cold! Did I mention to beware the void!
Still trying to find out who Mary is. She has proven to be rather elusive
Excellent place for creatives to be social with their art. Hosts some truly incredible events and everyone is pretty great. Miss Pedro's cafe but still a good place to grab a coffee or alcoholic beverage.
I enjoyed the place with a group of friends as attendees at a fund-raiser. The service was good but slow because they were short of staff. Drinks were good and there was a good range for selection. Noisy and busy with a nice atmosphere. Street parking may be difficult for a group function even in the evenings. Toilet were big but lacked proper cleaning of the obvious stains around the bowl. I didn't want to examine under the seat.
A cool space to hang out for an hour or a few. An oasis of calm in the midst of a busy industrial area. Enjoy a coffee and vegan treat, or not, as there is no obligation to buy anything from the cafe, while reading a book from their library or looking at an exhibition or catching up on work. It's also a meeting place where creative minds rent a space to work and where events are held. Would recommend.
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