Come with us on a virtual tour of the best alternative places in Shoreditch.
If there is one word to best describe the bustling area of Shoreditch, it’s alternative. Filled with quirky bars, rooftop terraces, street art and markets, there’s plenty to do in this hip neighbourhood. Whether you fancy a morning pick-me-up at a coffee shop, a night out in a club, or brunch at a trendy restaurant, Shoreditch has it all. There’s so much to see in this area when looking for fun and unique places to visit and these alternative places in Shoreditch certainly tick all the boxes…
1. Brick Lane Market
📷 @matteo90_photo
No space is spared on this long road when it comes to the number of food stalls. The food options available in this bustling market street are endless. From halloumi fries to freshly made gnocchi, pizza slices to gyoza, baked goods to hot chocolates, this street has it all. Lined with quirky vintage boutiques and second-hand shops, we’d say there is a high chance you’ll leave with a vintage treasure or a new (yet old) addition to your wardrobe.
2. Shoreditch Grind
📷 @hapdesigns
While we’re on the subject of food, here’s where to go for a caffeinated pick-me-up. This Shoreditch landmark serves quality coffee that’s roasted just around the corner at Grind HQ. And what’s more, their menu has expanded to serve brunch classics such as avocado on toast and acai bowls. It doesn’t get much more hipster than that! Their 50s inspired interiors, quirky cocktails and fancy coffees definitely make it a great alternative place to visit in Shoreditch.
3. The Book Club
A café by day, and a unique hustling club by night. This eclectic warehouse serves freshly ground Volcano coffee and is a popular destination for creatives tapping at their laptops. What makes it alternative? Besides the artisan coffee, creative raw interior, and the fact that it’s a factory building, it also displays art exhibitions and offers diverse workshops. Whereas at night, the book club turns into a popular party location with themed nights out as part of their ‘super-culture’ events.
4. Trapeze Bar
Another quirky venue, but this time a circus-themed bar. Spread over 2 levels, Trapeze Bar is a restaurant and club all rolled into one. The perfect alternative place to visit in Shoreditch during after-hours. Serving creative cocktails and quirky food, it’s a great location for parties, dinners or fun nights out alike. To make it even more hipster, the bar offers prosecco pong – a classier alternative to beer pong – because the latter is so overrated right? But fear not, for those traditionalists wanting to play good old beer pong, it is also always available to play here during happy hour.
5. Voodoo Rays
Looking for a place to eat lunch or dinner? Or a mid-afternoon snack? It’s never the wrong time for pizza, especially not at Voodoo Rays. This hipster restaurant serves classic New York-style pizza slices guaranteed to fulfil your cravings. With an assortment of flavours and big neon signs, this is definitely an alternative place to visit in Shoreditch.
6. Queen of Hoxton
With a creative and uniquely designed rooftop bar, venues don’t get much more alternative than the Queen of Hoxton. This bar, restaurant, and club is definitely an alternative place to visit where you will always find something to do. Their rooftop terrace undergoes a seasonal decor transformation, from #LostVegas this summer to a Morrocan medina the past winter. Queen of Hoxton certainly ranks high on the attraction list for alternative places to visit in Shoreditch.
7. Ace Hotel
Are you looking for an alternative place to stay in London? We’d recommend booking a room at the Ace Hotel. This overnight stay is guaranteed to live up to its hipster standards. It starts in the lobby where you’ll find a shop selling unique items, a cocktail bar, and a gallery featuring temporary exhibitions. Make your way throughout the building and you’ll find eccentric bedrooms, event spaces, and a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the hipster hub of Shoreditch.
8. Boxpark Shoreditch
📷@boxpark
Putting an alternative spin on the world of modern street food markets, Boxpark is the world’s first pop-up mall. If you are hungry but don’t quite know what cuisine you’re in the mood for, this is an ideal place to visit. Pop-ups range from soft serve and vegan street food to bubble wraps and loaded fries. Furthermore, amongst these hipster looking street food stalls, you’ll find various pop-up retail stores each in their own container. From vintage boutiques such as Hymn to more upscale watch stores such as Daniel Wellington, you can find it all in Boxpark Shoreditch!
9. Look mum no hands!
📷 @blackaller2012
Arguably one of the most hipster places in Shoreditch, this cafe serves the popular demands of cyclists: coffee, beer and food. Do not let the vast number of bikes hanging from the ceiling distract you when coming here to grab a coffee, pint or to tap away at your computer. With the evident draw for bike and coffee fanatics, Look mum no hands! has regular screenings of live cycling events and even offers workshops with their mechanics. So whether you are in the mood for coffee, a cocktail, or need your bike fixed, this is the only place to visit.
10. Berber & Q
📷@berberandq
We’re completing our alternative places checklist with Berber&Q, situated in an old railway arch, a feature that definitely contributes to its hipster outlook. With a primarily Meditteranean and Middle Eastern inspired menu, this alternative food hotspot is well known for its delicious smoked meat. For the vegans and vegetarians out there, fear not, as the chef skillfully grills and serves plenty of vegetables too. The abundance of vibrant and flavorful dishes are hard to miss and can be ordered on a walk-in basis only. The Eastern inspiration can also be found at their cocktail bar, with a special knowledge of wine.
Interested in visiting more alternative places in Shoreditch? Visit our webpage to find hundreds of venues available to you in this hipster hub!
