Shoreditch High Street doesn’t do ordinary. It’s loud, eclectic, and buzzing with energy from sunrise to sunrise (who even sleeps here?). Whether you’re chasing the next big thing in street art, hunting for vintage treasures, or just looking for a cocktail that comes with an actual fire hazard, you’ll find it all along this legendary strip. Let’s dive into the best things to do on Shoreditch High Street, where creativity meets chaos in the best way possible.
Where to Eat on Shoreditch High Street
Food here is an art form, but no one’s being pretentious about it. At Dishoom Shoreditch 📍7 Boundary St, London E2 7JE | 🌐 dishoom.com | 📸 @dishoom, expect a Bombay café experience with black daal so legendary it has its own fanbase.
For serious burger cravings, Patty & Bun 📍22-23 Liverpool St, London EC2M 7PD | 🌐 pattyandbun.co.uk | 📸 @pattyandbun serves up stacks that redefine ‘messy but worth it’.
Need a carb fix? Pastaio 📍19 Ganton St, London W1F 9BN | 🌐 pastaio.co.uk | 📸 @pastaio is the go-to for handmade pasta that could make an Italian weep.
For something unexpected, hit up Gloria 📍54-56 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3QR | 🌐 bigmammagroup.com | 📸 @bigmammagroup, where retro interiors and over-the-top dishes create an experience straight out of an Italian fever dream.
You can also check the full list of the best restaurants in Shoreditch here.
Bars & After-Hours Spots That Keep It Interesting
Cocktails in Shoreditch aren’t just drinks—they’re performances. Nightjar 📍129 City Rd, London EC1V 1JB | 🌐 barnightjar.com | 📸 @nightjar is where Prohibition-era speakeasy meets theatrical mixology, featuring live jazz and flaming garnishes.
For something high up, Aviary 📍22-25 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1DX | 🌐 aviarylondon.com | 📸 @aviarylondon serves skyline views with its cocktails.
If you like your drinks with a side of neon lights and arcade nostalgia, Ballie Ballerson 📍97-113 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3BS | 🌐 ballieballerson.com | 📸 @ballieballerson is an adult ball pit bar that’s as ridiculous as it is brilliant.
For a more refined but still Shoreditch-level cool experience, Callooh Callay 📍65 Rivington St, London EC2A 3QQ | 🌐 calloohcallaybar.com | 📸 @calloohcallaybar keeps things creative with offbeat cocktails behind a wardrobe entrance.
Street Art That Deserves a Double Take
Shoreditch doesn’t do blank walls. Every corner, alley, and side street is a potential masterpiece. Renowned for its ever-evolving street art in Shoreditch, this area boasts works by international legends like Banksy, Stik, and Thierry Noir. Wander through Brick Lane, Redchurch Street, and Chance Street to catch some of the most Instagrammable murals in London. Want the full experience? Join a guided street art tour and get the backstory on the artists shaping East London’s aesthetic.
Live Music & Underground Vibes
Live music in Shoreditch thrives. Village Underground 📍54 Holywell Ln, London EC2A 3PQ | 🌐 villageunderground.co.uk | 📸 @villageunderground is a must for indie, electronic, and alternative gigs in a warehouse-turned-creative-space.
For something more intimate, The Old Blue Last 📍38 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3ES | 🌐 theoldbluelast.com | 📸 @theoldbluelast has hosted everyone from Arctic Monkeys to rising indie stars in its legendary upstairs venue.
Markets, Makers & Indie Boutiques
If high-street chains bore you, Shoreditch High Street is your antidote. For vintage shops lovers, Brick Lane Market is an absolute goldmine. Here, retro threads, antique treasures, and one-off designer finds are the norm. Redchurch Street is where you’ll stumble upon Shoreditch’s cooler-than-cool boutiques, from cult perfumer Le Labo to design-conscious Aesop.
Creative Spaces & Cultural Fixes
Shoreditch loves a good cultural moment. Rich Mix 📍35-47 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6LA | 🌐 richmix.org.uk | 📸 @richmixlondon hosts indie films, live performances, and community events that showcase local and global creativity.
For the ultimate immersive art experience, Lights of Soho 📍35 Brewer St, London W1F 0RX | 🌐 lightsofsoho.com | 📸 @lightsofsoho combines neon artwork with a speakeasy-style vibe.
Bookshops, Vinyl & Offbeat Shopping
You won’t find generic bookshops here. Libreria 📍65 Hanbury St, London E1 5JP | 🌐 libreria.io | 📸 @librerialondon curates books with a theme-driven approach, meaning you’ll always leave with something unexpected.
Vinyl collectors will want to visit Rough Trade East 📍91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL | 🌐 roughtrade.com | 📸 @roughtrade, which combines live gigs with a record shop that fuels Shoreditch’s indie music obsession.
Experience Shoreditch High Street Like a Local
Shoreditch High Street doesn’t follow trends—it creates them. From underground gigs to rooftop cocktails, this stretch of East London is a 24-hour playground of creativity, culture, and pure energy. Whatever your vibe, there’s something waiting to surprise, delight, or completely blow your mind.
