The area around the old Spitalfields market is one of the most vibrant in London, with an old community that has long incorporated Brick Lane - London’s curry centre - now joined by a wave of apartment dwellers bringing in new energy.
Old Truman Brewery
With 200 creative businesses within it, this old brewery is an arts powerhouse with always something quirky on. Come for a meal, a drink, a fashion or art show, live music or, in summer, to enjoy a tiny patch of urban beach to wriggle your toes in.
91 Brick Lane E1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7770 6009
Tube: Shoreditch
www.trumanbrewery.com
Whitechapel Art Gallery
Founded in 1901 to bring great art to East London, this is a vibrant community-driven art space, with talks, film, music and poetry. Artists such as Picasso, Kahlo and Pollock have premiered here, and it is a showcase for modern British art.
77-82 Whitechapel High Street E1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7522 7888
Tube: Aldgate East
www.whitechapel.org
Ten Bells Pub
Jack The Ripper’s local is still said to be haunted. Mary Kelly, his last victim, enjoyed a drink here on the night before her mutilated body was found off Dorset Street, across the road. There’s a splendid painting inside the pub showing how the area looked then.
84 Commercial Street E1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7366 1721
Tube: Liverpool St/Aldgate East
Dennis Severs’ House
A ‘still-life drama’ by the American artist Dennis Severs, who lovingly recreated the sounds, smells and atmosphere of a perfectly-restored Georgian house. Visiting times vary with sunset, so check the website.
18 Folgate Street E1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7247 4013
Tube: Liverpool Street
www.dennissevershouse.co.uk
Les Trois Garcons
Wonderfully over-the-top decor, with crystal chandeliers, eclectic glasses and cutlery, but good French-style food. A bit pricy for a casual meal but well worth it for a night out to remember in the company of an alligator wearing a tiara...
1 Club Row E1
Tel: +44 (0)20 7613 1924
Tube: Liverpool Street
www.lestroisgarcons.com
Spitalfields Market
There has been a market here since 1638. It’s busy every day, especially Sunday, with shops open from 11am to 7pm but the stalls vary. Monday and Tuesday are for general stuff, Wednesday for food, records & books, Thursday for antiques and Friday for fashion & art.
Commercial Street E1
Tube: Liverpool St/Aldgate East
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Whitechapel Bell Foundry
Some 438 years of bell-making lie behind this unassuming facade, including Big Ben and the USA’s Liberty Bell. Buy a hand-bell or sheet music for bell-ringers, visit the museum or watch bells still being cast in manure and goat hair moulds.
32 Whitechapel Road E1
Tube: Aldgate East www.whitechapelbellfoundry.co.uk
E1
Lounge Lover
The sister bar to Les Trois Garcons features similarly over-the-top decor, with massive urns and glittery chandeliers. The cocktail menu is similarly exotic, as is the Japanese-influenced tapas menu. An experience well worth its high prices.
1 Whitby Street E2
Tel: +44 (0)20 7012 1234
Tube: Shoreditch
www.loungelover.co.uk
