Top 12 Things to Do in Shoreditch, London
You’ll never be short of things to do in Shoreditch, East London. As the creative hub of the area, it’s home to an eclectic – and often eccentric – array of attractions. So whether you want to see some of the best street art in London, embark on an epic pub crawl or taste the street-food delights of Brick Lane, here are the top things to do in Shoreditch.
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1. Admire the best street art in London
Building, Art Gallery
The East End is like a living art gallery, which means you should take of a couple of hours to pound the pavements in search of the best street art in Shoreditch. Head to Rivington Street to see an original Banksy or Shoreditch High Street to see the sculptured faces of Gregos Art. Better yet, forge your own path and see what you can discover.
2. Shop Shoreditch in style
Shop
Shoreditch is a goldmine for one-of-a-kind clothes and accessories, with more independent boutiques and vintage shops than you can shake a second-hand hat at. Try ATIKA, formerly Blitz London, which is one of the biggest vintage shops in Europe. Weekend bargain hunters click elbows at Brick Lane’s Sunday market, where you can sample street food to celebrate your latest find. Fans of contemporary clothing head to Redchurch Street, which also has a make-your-own perfume lab called Le Labo.
3. Embark on a culinary adventure
Market
4. Choose your favourite blooms at Columbia Road Flower Market
Market
5. Check out East London’s coolest cinemas
Cinema
6. Get spooked on a Jack the Ripper tour
Building
The mysterious tale behind London’s most notorious 19th-century villain has captured the minds of locals and tourists alike for well over a century. Unlike other crime and ghost tours, a Jack the Ripper tour blends thrilling true crime mystique with an actual historical angle. It’s a fascinating way to transport yourself to Victorian London, where the streets were murky (literally and figuratively) and countless larger-than-life figures prowled the streets. Much of the Ripper’s work was done in and around the Shoreditch area, so there really is no place better to follow in his footsteps. Recommended by Gethin Morgan.
7. Go on a Shoreditch pub crawl
Pub, Pub Grub
With so many pubs in Shoreditch, why stop at one? Kick off at The Golden Heart, a classic old-school watering-hole, wrapped around a corner on the edge of Commercial Street, opposite Spitalfields Market. It has long attracted an eclectic bunch from the Brit Art crowd to arty locals including Gilbert and George and Tracey Emin – a copy of her piece My Bed hangs on a wall. Landlady Sandra Esquilant is one of a kind, setting the tone (and the jukebox). London ales such as Redemption Urban Dusk and Redchurch Old Ford stout and quality foreign imports are sunk at the Crown & Shuttle, a strip club turned cool urban hangout with exposed brick walls, heated courtyard garden and tasty tapas-style dishes. From here, head to the Commercial Tavern, the Ten Bells and/or Goose Island Brewpub.
8. Dance at Shoreditch’s best clubs
Music Venue
9. Taste the delicious street food of Brick Lane
Architectural Landmark
One of the top things to do in Shoreditch is to get a taste of the great street food in Brick Lane. Shoreditch is as famous for its street food as it is street art. A post-club breakfast trip to Brick Lane bagel institution Beigel Bake is a classic end to a late, great East End night out (it opens at 6am). If you can stay up a bit longer, browse the Sunday market for global street food such as Canadian poutine (French fries, cheese curds and gravy) and Thai delicacies. In winter, or rainy weather, head to the enclosed market areas, such as Backyard Market or Sunday Upmarket.
10. Do a ping-pong brunch at Bounce
Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, American
11. Go football crazy at Bar Kick
Bar, Pub Grub
12. Eat, drink, rave, repeat at BOXPARK
Shopping Mall
This is an updated version of an article originally by Grace Beard.
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