Events and Tickets at the Former Mick's Garage

Events at Mick's Garage ended when the Hackney Wick warehouse became Colour Factory in 2021; this guide explains current programming and how to visit.

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Skankandbass Summer Solstice

1:00 p. m., dom, 16 jun 2019

jun

Mick's Garage by Crate Brewery

London

Important venue update: Mick's Garage is no longer open or trading under that name. The Queen's Yard warehouse was taken over and relaunched as Colour Factory in 2021. Consequently, there are no current Mick's Garage tickets, no verified Mick's Garage performances from 2021 to 2026 and no announcements for 2027 or beyond under the former name. Events now taking place at 8A Queen's Yard belong to Colour Factory and should not be presented as Mick's Garage shows.

Events and Programming

Mick's Garage began as a weekend food, drink and cultural complex before developing into one of Hackney Wick's characteristic warehouse clubs. Its programme mixed DJs and live music with food pop-ups, markets, screenings, book launches, performances and private events. Flamingo Pier was closely associated with the venue, bringing selectors including Bill Brewster, Ray Mang, Chaos in the CBD, Sadar Bahar and Session Victim. Other documented bookings ranged from Mr C and Mister Sunday to Roi Perez and Breakwave.

That programming ceased under the Mick's Garage identity by 2021. The successor has greatly expanded the range: underground club music, live concerts, queer and sex-positive events, jazz, grime, jungle, garage, amapiano, Afrobeats, dancehall, Latin and South-West Asian and North African sounds, experimental pop, markets, open-deck sessions and outdoor summer parties all appear regularly. Day-to-night festivals and multi-room takeovers are particularly characteristic.

The 2021 relaunch featured celebrations of Black culture, Secretsundaze, Rhythm Section and inclusive community-led club nights. Subsequent seasons brought Risen Festival, Queen's Yard Summer Party, Pxssy Palace, RedLine, Friends & Family parties, charity events, terrace sessions and the Jazz on Wick festival. Recent artists and collectives have included D Double E, Ego Ella May, Josey Rebelle, Call Super, KG, Kingdom, FKA.m4a, Dee Diggs, Skee Mask, Manga Saint Hilare, Mad Professor, Ninajirachi and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

As of 23 August 2026, the remaining announced programme at the successor venue extended into the autumn. It included Carnival-related parties, Brown Excellence, Jazz on Wick, grime and high-tempo club sessions, the venue's fifth-birthday marathon, an indie-electronic headline show and a Halloween programme presented by an experimental pop label. No verified post-2026 event had been announced in the researched listings.

Tickets and Booking

Use the live event listing attached to this page for current availability, because tickets bearing the Mick's Garage name are obsolete. The successor uses advance releases with firm last-entry times, while selected community nights offer free RSVP entry, low-cost advance admission or a higher door price. Recent examples ranged from free entry and £3–£10 donation events to approximately £8–£20 for ordinary club nights; major full-venue and New Year's Eve events have reached about £40.

No permanent public box-office opening hours are published. Door tickets are available only when an event specifically advertises them and has not sold out; some are card-only. Early tiers are limited, and popular headline shows can sell out well before the night. Check the ticket's admission deadline rather than assuming entry is permitted at any point before closing. A late-arrival surcharge has applied at some performances.

About Mick's Garage by Crate Brewery

The story began with a working motor-repair business. Michael Vallance operated MV Motor Repairs in Queen's Yard from 1992, but left in 2015 after changes to the site's rental arrangements. Crate Brewery subsequently occupied the unit, naming its new complex Mick's Garage in acknowledgement of the former mechanic. It opened on 20 November 2015 with an advertised capacity of around 500.

The original concept combined Crate beer, a coffee roastery, communal mess-hall tables, the Shuk Shuk Middle Eastern smokehouse and Jarr's fermented-tea bar. By day, the building also functioned as brewery storage and office space; at night, stock was moved to transform the warehouse into a club. Before Crate's conversion, parts of the premises had reportedly operated as an adult club and required substantial clearance and refurbishment.

Redevelopment had threatened the venue's long-term future before it even opened. In January 2020, its team acknowledged that the warehouse would eventually face development but said closure was not imminent. The pandemic then interrupted live programming, and the building emerged in 2021 as Colour Factory under new management, retaining the industrial shell whilst establishing a different venue identity and cultural mission.

Seating and Layout

Mick's Garage was predominantly an open-plan, general-admission warehouse. An archived hire description recorded approximately 5,000 square feet, a broad mezzanine overlooking the dancefloor, two fixed bars and capacities of up to 580 standing, 350 theatre-style or cabaret, and 250 for dinner. The mezzanine offered the clearest elevated perspective, but there were no permanent numbered seats or conventional fixed VIP boxes.

The current successor has been enlarged and reconfigured. Its hire information describes an 1,800-person combined venue with three principal areas: the Factory at 1,000 club or 700 live capacity, the Mezz at 400 and the Garden at 350. Its public accessibility guide quotes more conservative operational figures of 700, 300 and 300 respectively, demonstrating that the permitted audience varies with production, layout and event format.

The Factory offers more than 2,700 square feet of unobstructed floor but no dedicated everyday seating. Tables and seats are normally found in the Garden, Yard, Terrace and Mezz. Exact wall-to-wall dimensions and a fixed seating plan have not been published. For dancing and sound impact, the main floor is the obvious choice; for rest or a less compressed view, use an open upper or outdoor area where the event configuration permits.

Sound, Lighting and Production

Mick's Garage was known for stripped-back production: an installed Funktion-One system, a large mirror ball, lasers and strobe lighting within an otherwise raw working warehouse. Loading access made it practical for substantial club, launch and reception productions. The minimal treatment was part of its appeal, placing the crowd, selector and industrial room ahead of elaborate stage scenery.

Colour Factory replaced the former sound installation with indoor systems from Danley Sound Labs. The present venue supports live music, club nights, screenings, broadcasts, fashion events and sizeable production load-ins. Lighting designs vary between promoters and can include haze, moving or repositioned fixtures and strobes. No reliable public inventory of individual consoles, microphones, projectors or lighting units is available, so production specifications should be treated as event-specific.

Getting There and Parking

The address is 8A Queen's Yard, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN. Hackney Wick London Overground station is immediately beside Queen's Yard, generally a walk of about two minutes. Stratford is one stop east and offers connections to the Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth, DLR, National Rail and other Overground services. Day buses serving the area include the 276, 339 and 488; the N26 is the principal nearby night-bus option.

There is no visitor car park inside Queen's Yard. Surrounding controlled bays may become available after 20:00, but signs, event-day controls and Olympic Park restrictions take precedence and charges vary. Taxi and rideshare collection points are positioned at both ends of White Post Lane. Cycle stands can be found around Queen's Yard and nearby streets; use a substantial lock and do not obstruct pedestrian or wheelchair routes.

Inside the Venue

At current late-night events, expect physical photo-ID scanning, bag searches and, at many events, body searches. Liquids, aerosols, outside food and chewing gum are prohibited, with arrangements possible for genuine medical or dietary needs. There is normally no re-entry. Entry can still be refused to someone who is visibly intoxicated or considered unsuitable for an event, even when that person holds a ticket.

The successor operates multiple bars and a street-food court, with menus typically spanning burgers, grilled food, pita-based dishes, plant-based roasts and pizza. Most events provide a cloakroom, currently listed at around £4 per item, although it is not guaranteed for every booking. Portable phone chargers, a medic and welfare room, gender-neutral toilets and free disposable earplugs at the bars are also available.

Nearby Amenities

Crate Brewery remains next door at Unit 7, providing canal-side drinks and pizza and usually operating later on Fridays and Saturdays than during the week. Grow Hackney offers canalside food, drinks, live music and outdoor seating a short walk away. Queen's Yard also contains takeaway traders, while Hackney Bridge and Fish Island add further food halls, bars and restaurants within walking distance.

There is limited hotel stock in Hackney Wick itself. Stratford is generally the most practical base, one Overground stop away, with several full-service and extended-stay hotels around Stratford station and Westfield. Remember that the final Overground departs well before many 4am or 6am events finish, so arrange a night bus, taxi or early-morning train plan before entering.

What Makes This Venue Special

Mick's Garage captured a particular period in Hackney Wick's development: a genuine mechanic's workshop became a loosely furnished combination of brewery store, food market, community hangout and weekend club. Its packing crates, communal benches, exposed structure, visible brewery stock and oversized mirror ball created an atmosphere closer to an improvised neighbourhood party than a polished West End nightclub.

Its legacy is complicated. The venue helped establish Queen's Yard as a cultural destination and supported artists, promoters and food businesses, but its arrival also followed the displacement of a long-standing industrial tenant. That tension—creative renewal alongside rising rents and redevelopment—continues across Hackney Wick. The successor has responded by foregrounding Black ownership, diverse bookings, community events, emerging-creative grants and safer, more inclusive nightlife.

Recent visitor accounts frequently praise the varied artists, food, friendly atmosphere and outdoor Garden. Recurring criticisms concern queues and sound consistency, especially during crowded or outdoor productions. These experiences can vary considerably according to the promoter, room, audience size and system tuning. Official guidance itself warns that busy sold-out nights can generate substantial queues, making early arrival the safest approach.

Visitor Tips and Information

The former Mick's Garage had reported wheelchair access, but detailed historical arrangements are not available. At the current venue, the Factory is step-free, while the Mezz requires 15 stairs. The Garden is step-free to the bar but has uneven surfaces, decking and artificial grass. The Terrace requires stairs, and temporary ramps can be provided for parts of the Yard and Garden.

An accessible toilet using the RADAR system is located between the Garden and Factory. Free personal-assistant admission can be arranged for disabled visitors or those with long-term medical conditions. Seating may be requested, and a medic and welfare room sits beside the Factory entrance. The venue uses UK accessibility arrangements rather than describing itself in American ADA terms.

Late-night events are generally 18+, with physical photographic identification required unless an individual listing states otherwise. There is no universal dress code, although specialist promoters may impose one. Non-professional cameras are usually acceptable, but artist policies can change on the day. Arrive before the ticket deadline, bring ear protection if sensitive to loud sound and wear practical footwear for concrete, decking and uneven outdoor surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mick's Garage by Crate Brewery still open?

No. Mick's Garage no longer trades under that name. The Hackney Wick warehouse became Colour Factory in 2021, with different management, branding, programming and venue specifications. Old directory pages and archived ticket listings can still appear in searches, but they should not be treated as evidence that Mick's Garage has reopened or is selling current tickets.

Are any 2026 events taking place at Mick's Garage?

No events are being advertised under the Mick's Garage identity. Events at 8A Queen's Yard in 2026 belong to Colour Factory. Its programme includes club nights, live performances, jazz, grime, queer events, open-air sessions and festivals, but presenting these as Mick's Garage bookings would incorrectly merge two separate eras of the building.

What is the capacity of the former Mick's Garage?

Mick's Garage launched with an advertised capacity of approximately 500. A later hire listing quoted up to 580 standing, 350 in theatre or cabaret layouts and 250 for dining. These are historical figures only. The enlarged successor publishes different capacities according to room, event type, production design and licensing requirements.

Does the venue have assigned seating?

No standard concert seating plan applies. Both Mick's Garage and its successor have primarily operated as flexible, general-admission warehouses. Current main-room shows are normally standing, while tables and casual seating are more likely in the Garden, Yard, Terrace or Mezz. Visitors who cannot stand for long periods should arrange an accommodation before attending.

Where is the best place to watch a performance?

The main floor provides the most direct sound and crowd energy, especially for club shows. An open Mezz can offer a wider elevated view and somewhere to step back from the busiest dancefloor areas. However, the Mezz is reached by stairs and is not used for every event. Sightlines depend on staging, production equipment and audience density.

What is the nearest station?

Hackney Wick London Overground station is immediately beside Queen's Yard, usually around two minutes on foot. Leave the station towards White Post Lane and enter the industrial yard. Stratford is one stop east and provides numerous rail, Underground and DLR connections, making it the most useful interchange for visitors travelling from elsewhere in London.

Can I park at Queen's Yard?

No visitor parking is provided inside Queen's Yard. Limited controlled on-street spaces can sometimes be used nearby, particularly later in the evening, but restrictions and charges vary. Olympic Park and stadium event days may introduce additional controls. Public transport is strongly preferable, especially because White Post Lane and the yard become busy when several neighbouring venues are operating.

How do I get home after a late event?

Do not assume the Overground will still be running when a 4am or 6am event ends. The N26 serves the wider area overnight, and taxis or rideshares can collect from designated points at either end of White Post Lane. Plan the journey before entering because there is no re-entry, and allow for increased demand after large closing times.

Is the current venue wheelchair accessible?

The Factory is step-free, and the Garden has step-free access as far as the bar, although its surfaces are uneven. Temporary ramps may assist access to designated areas. The Mezz and Terrace require stairs and do not have published lift access. An accessible RADAR toilet, personal-assistant scheme, requested seating and welfare room are available.

Are events suitable for under-18s?

Late-night events are normally restricted to people aged 18 and over. Occasional daytime markets, food sessions, festivals or specially advertised programmes may use different rules, so the individual listing controls. For events requiring identification, bring an accepted physical photographic document; a photograph or digital copy on a phone should not be assumed sufficient.

What items are prohibited?

Current entry rules prohibit outside liquids, aerosols, food and chewing gum. Bags are searched, and body searches are common at late-night events. Dangerous or illegal items are refused. Prescribed medicine should remain in its original packaging with supporting prescription information. Genuine medical or dietary needs should be arranged before arrival rather than negotiated during a busy security search.

Is there a cloakroom?

A cloakroom operates at most current events, but not every booking. The published price is approximately £4 per item. Keep essential medication, identification and travel necessities with you unless staff advise otherwise. Because exits are final, forgetting something in a vehicle or elsewhere in Queen's Yard may mean being unable to return to the event.

Can I buy food inside?

Yes. The current complex contains several independent food traders, typically covering burgers and grilled dishes, pita-based food, plant-based roasts and pizza. Opening times can differ from event hours, particularly late at night. Crate Brewery next door also serves pizza, while other Queen's Yard takeaways may continue trading during busy Friday and Saturday sessions.

Can I bring a camera?

Small non-professional cameras are normally permitted, but the final decision can belong to the performer or promoter and may not be confirmed until the show day. Professional cameras and filming equipment should not be assumed acceptable. At queer, sex-positive or community-centred events, obtain clear consent before photographing other guests, even when personal photography is generally allowed.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before your ticket's last-entry time, and earlier for a sold-out event or a specific performance. Security includes ID scanning and searches, so queues can move more slowly than at a standard pub. Current rules generally set last entry at 1.30am for 4am finishes and 2.30am for 5am or 6am finishes.

Why do some listings give different capacities?

Capacity depends on whether the event is a club night, live concert, seated presentation, outdoor gathering or full-venue takeover. Staging, barriers, welfare areas, production equipment and closed rooms reduce usable space. The successor's hire page and accessibility guide publish slightly different room figures, so the capacity stated for an individual event should be treated as the relevant number.

Events and Tickets at the Former Mick's Garage

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