Living and renting in London means you have an abundance of interesting things to do, right on your doorstep. Shoreditch is no exception. As the creative hub of East London it’s home to an eclectic array of attractions. So whether you want to play a game of shuffleboard or explore Brick Lane, here are the ten best things to do in Shoreditch.
One of the best things to do in Shoreditch is to take a stroll down Columbia Road Flower Market. The road is filled with bucketful’s of flowers every Sunday from 8am-3pm. Market traders set up on the narrow street and sell houseplants, herbs, bulbs and shrubs. We recommend getting there early to see the market at its best and avoiding the midday crowds. Grab some friends and spend the morning browsing the stunning blooms.
If you’re looking for things to do in Shoreditch this weekend, add Brick Lane to your list. Winding from Bethnal Green to Whitechapel, Brick Lane is a paradise for foodies and lovers of fashion.
For vintage shopping, start at the Brick Lane Vintage Market in the Truman Brewery. Then head to Rokit, another vintage shop offering a well loved collection of men’s and women’s clothes. For big name designers head to Serotonin Vintage, which stocks a curated selection of pieces from the likes of Fendi, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana.
If it’s food you’re after, you’ll find a huge selection of independent eateries and stalls in Brick Lane. Whether you want Indian, Mexican, Asian or 15-hour smoked brisket, Brick Lane has it all.
Once just disused shipping containers, Boxpark is now a popular food and retail park. It’s filled with independent shops on the first floor and eateries on the second. If you want instagrammable desserts, head to Soft Serve Society, for delicious Jamaican food give Rudie’s Jerk Shack a visit. Boxpark is open Monday and Wednesday from 11am – 11pm. Thursday and Saturday from 11am – 11.45pm and Sunday from 11am – 10.30pm.
If you’re after free things to do in London, you can easily spend a day exploring the street art scene in Shoreditch.
The area features pieces from some of the biggest names, even Banksy has left his mark here. Head to Rivington Street to see some of Banksy’s earliest work. Brick Lane is also a hotspot for emerging street artists. From brick walls to shop shutters, if there’s a free square metre of space, it’s used as a canvas!
One of the best things to do in Shoreditch is make the most of their unique nightlife scene. There’s a huge array of bars that offer more than just your basic music and drinks. If you want a more interesting night out, head to London Shuffle Club for a game of Shuffleboard. It involves two teams of players sliding weighted pucks along a 16ft long table into the score zone at the other end. Reward yourself with a delicious cocktail after your game!
For another interesting night out venue, give Bounce Ping Pong a visit. The bar is decked out with ping pong tables for you and your friends to enjoy, with the ping pong tables originally used in the London 2012 Olympics. The bar also provides gourmet pizzas, tacos, burgers and more. When it comes to drinks you can choose from 42 gins, a quirky cocktail list and shareable Margaritas for six people!
Once an old warehouse, Village Underground is now a space for creativity & culture in the heart of East London. The warehouse was renovated to become an event venue, used for everything from concerts and club nights, to exhibitions, theatre performances and live art. It’s always worth checking out their page to see what’s on. With such a huge variety of things to see and do here, it’s without a doubt one of the best things to do in Shoreditch.
If you want to mix it up from your run of the mill night out, Alcotraz is the place to go. Inspired by Hollywood films about infamous prison stories, Alcotraz is an immersive theatrical cocktail bar. Guests wear orange jumpsuits, drink in jail cells and smuggle in liquor. Once you’ve successfully smuggled your alcohol past the Warden, you’ll have bespoke cocktails made for you by the inmates, based on the liquor you bring and your tastes.
Another one of the best things to do in Shoreditch is to visit Spitalfields Market. This lively market is home to independent vendors selling clothing, jewellery, home items, art & gourmet products. It’s open every day of the week and is the perfect place to mooch around and grab a bite to eat from one of the independent food stalls. Find it located Brick Lane and Bishopsgate.
Last but not least, we have Beigel Bake. This twenty four hour bakery is a much loved local favourite, known for its traditional Jewish-style filled bagels such as salt beef and smoked salmon. It’s thought to be the oldest bagel shop in London and has become a bit of a social mecca. Although it’s not your typical attraction, it can’t be missed off the list of top ten things to do in Shoreditch.
If you want to know what it’s like to live in Shoreditch, check out our neighbourhood guide to find out all the spots to go, transport links and safety ratings.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Shoreditch, check out our article on the best parks and green spaces in London.
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