Ben Dean and Chloe Marlow at Raven Records – the world’s first heavy metal alcohol-free bar

PICTURE it: a long room with black walls, a walkway of heavy metal records and a bar at the back surrounded by the smell of freshly brewed coffee – and significantly, no alcohol.

Raven Records – the world’s first heavy metal alcohol-free bar – has opened in the heart of Camden Town.

The mission was simple, according to Chloe Marlow, one of the owners: “Offer people something that is alternative, and does not involve alcohol.”

Ms Marlow was a techno DJ in the 2000s and her business partner Ben Dean was a coordinator of the Battle of the Bands – the global rock and metal band contest.

The shop’s uniqueness comes from the combination of alternative music and décor, pour-over coffee, and the lack of alcohol. They offer seven types of alcohol-free whisky and beer and Guinness 0.0 on tap, as a safe space for those in the scene who wish to not drink.

Ms Marlow wanted to incorporate a record shop and a bar that could host events, while Mr Dean, who has not had a drink in over 16 years, wanted a few extra options for a night out.

To make the place feel safe for those recovering from addiction, it was important that all substitutes are 0.0 rather than 0.5 or 0.3.

Mr Dean said that most social spaces in this country are centred around drinking: “After five o’clock where can you go that does not involve alcohol as an adult?”

He added: “In sober places, there is a lot of mindful drinking … I don’t want to drink but I still want the ritual of going out.”

Metal music has a long-standing connection to drinking culture. “Jack Daniels is known as rock ’n’roll mouth wash,” said Mr Dean.

But on the wider scale there are major figures who are showing a change in the industry.

For example, Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford celebrated 37 years sober last year, while Metallica’s James Hetfield has been vocal about his struggles with recovery and addiction.

The duo hopes the new venture will ease some of the discomfort around sobriety, and people will come in “being open and proud of it”.