OT301

What the council almost turned into a bicycle path is now the spot where independent sub-cultures get to do whatever they feel like, whether it’s taking part in a jam session, listening to live music, or even playing ping-pong. It’s all thanks to the squatters who prevented the building from being torn down in the late 90’s by — get this — buying it outright. Artfully run down and slathered with street art, OT301 has got soul and creativity to spare. Its main room hosts an eclectic roster of everything from Italian hip-hop and psychedelic to dubstep and visual arts performers. If you’re not in the mood for music, try the restaurant, which serves cheap, organic meals in a dive-bar atmosphere. On Tuesdays, you can find eclectic events ranging from movie nights to illustrious weekly ping-pong tournaments that take place to the soundtrack of fat beats to boot.