Shoreditch is London’s creative hotspot. Walls packed with street art and irreverent shops and cafés on every corner. Shop in a collection of cargo containers or stroll through busy Brick Lane: welcome to London’s urban playground!
Shoreditch is located in Hackney, a former rough and desolate neighbourhood in East London. The area was so inhospitable that Jack the Ripper chose to conduct his evil business around Brick Lane. In the 1990s, designer Alexander McQueen and artist Damien Hirst moved into some of the empty warehouses. Other creative types soon followed, transforming the sloppy area into the vibrant neighbourhood we see today. We have selected a few great spots for you but highly recommend that you explore on your own. Shoreditch knows how to surprise!
There is nothing average about Shoreditch, and certainly not its shops. Boxpark is the first pop-up shopping centre in the world: an eccentric collection of shops and bars housed in a row of cargo containers. Creativity and originality set the tone: you won’t find any big chain stores in Boxpark. Everything here is temporary, so in three months you may stumble across a whole new selection of shops. Whether you are looking for a new outfit or somewhere to grab a drink: Boxpark is the place to be!
The Hoxton is the perfect hotel for your stay in Shoreditch. Live East, Love East is the motto. The lobby looks like a large living room with elegant armchairs, fireplaces, chandeliers and a huge bookcase. The hotel offers many great perks, such as an hour of free international phone calls just to “let them know you’re here”, and a minibar with complimentary milk and water. In the morning, breakfast is hung outside your door in a bag.
Unlike most hotel bars where guests spend a quiet night nursing a dusty glass of whiskey, The Hoxton hotel bar is hot and happening. Every Friday night, the lobby draws an energetic mix of trendy locals and curious out-of-towners.
Whereas in most cities you need to search for great street art, in Shoreditch you practically can’t avoid it. The neighbourhood showcases many spectacular murals and other art that defy the label ‘graffiti’. In and around Brick Lane, the vibrant heart of Shoreditch, hardly any walls are left untouched. Be sure to duck into the small side streets off the main strip: a new surprise awaits at each corner.
Is it a beauty salon? A café? A hairdresser? A cinema? Barber & Parlour covers all the bases. Once just a nail salon on the top floor of an old industrial building, the business has grown into a neighbourhood fixture where locals flock to get lunch, a beauty fix, a haircut or a cup of coffee. Sit back in a comfortable armchair with a table lamp and watch the latest films in the wonderful cinema downstairs.
You can’t miss this shop in Brick Lane: Dark Sugars. A slice of heaven on earth with the most delicious chocolate. Dark Sugars features two locations in Brick Lane. The newest shop also boasts a bar that serves coffee and, surprise surprise, chocolate milk. From chocolate apricots to truffles with the suggestive name ‘Overdose’, Dark Sugars is a must for chocolate lovers.
There is no shortage of markets in Shoreditch, but one of our favourites is the Old Spitalfields Market. Open seven days a week, the market features a different theme each day. The big antique market takes place on Thursday, and Friday is the day to buy art and clothing. On Saturdays, the themes range from alternative vintage to creative design.
