Known for being hip, artsy, and achingly chic, Shoreditch boasts an array of cool places to visit for anyone lucky enough to spend a day wandering its streets. Filled with young creatives and trendsetters, it is home to hundreds of in-vogue restaurants, niche gastropubs and artisan coffee bars, along with fashionable clubs and charming bars galore.
Interestingly, its role as a chic, cosmopolitan capital for the young and the trendy is nothing new. Once home to the first playhouse in England, Shoreditch has long drawn artists, poets and those who know how to burn bright. If you’re lucky enough to pay us a visit, here are just three of the supremely slick places we recommend you visit.
Brick Lane
Shoreditch is a mecca for foodies everywhere, but it’s not only its traditional eateries that draw acclaim. It’s renowned for its top-notch street food too, and Brick Lane is the best place to try it. Home to the much-lauded Beigel Bake, which serves up some of the most divine bagels you’re ever likely to taste, it also plays host to a leviathan market which sets up shop each Sunday. Serving food from all around the world, options include everything from Thai treats to Canadian poutine and there is not a single bad selection to be made. Rainy-day visitors need not fear: in addition to its outdoor eateries, there are a number of enclosed markets located on and around the famed street, from Backyard Market to Sunday Upmarket. Go with your belly empty, ready to indulge.
The Sportsman Casino
Have you ever tried your hand at jackpot slots online? If so, you’ll know the thrill of playing when a sizeable potential pay-out is on the table. Internet casinos understand exactly how to create an immersive and engaging experience, but should you want to venture into a bricks-and-mortar casino to see your favourite games brought to life, The Sportsman is an ideal choice. A premier gaming establishment, it marries classic style with state-of-the-art technology to create a members’ club aesthetic par excellence. Offering an array of options for would-be gamers, its facilities are fleshed out by the addition of award-winning restaurant Zaman, which is well worth a visit in its own right.
The Book Club
The Book Club may sound like an artsy and intellectual spot to enjoy a good read and a cup of coffee, but it’s not what you think it is. In fact, The Book Club harks back to Shoreditch’s roots as a night-time entertainment mecca. Once home to everything from bathhouses to theatres, it now enjoys a roaring trade in nightclubs and bars, and this is one of the best. Slightly less well-known than name likes Cargo and XOYO, it has one major advantage: it offers a fabulously fun night out at a fraction of the price. Best appreciated on a Friday, it’s the place to be when you want to let your hair down.
Tell us, the next time you’re in Shoreditch, which of these establishments will you visit first?
