Avoid the East End's hordes of weekend warriors with these lesser-known Shoreditch drinking spots that won't break the bank
The problem
Andrew, Shepherd’s Bush ‘We’re from LA and have been in London a couple of months working hard. We’re getting a babysitter and want to get on the tube to go bar-hopping. Nothing fancy or expensive but cool places that are a little under the radar.’
The prescription
If you haven’t seen much of London’s bar culture and fancy doing it on the cheap, head east to Liverpool Street tube. It’s a straight line to the Drunken Monkey, a cheap and red-paper-lantern-cheerful Chinese bar with yummy dim sum to get you started. A left into Great Eastern Street takes to you up to Favela Chic, a lush mish-mash of tropical foliage and nailed-together bits of wood. DJs lean towards Brazilian and international flavours – chances are you’ll end up dancing – and the caipirinhas are delicious but deadly. Out over the junction, turn right into Old Street; Cocomo is down on your left. This Shoreditch stalwart has been around so long that some forget it’s there: a nondescript red door hides the junk-shop cocktail bar inside. When music-players step up, it’s to play home-record-collection eclectic sounds.
Feature continues
Fancy something a little more fancy? Go back out on to Old Street and turn left. Walk through the underpass and turn right into Shoreditch High Street. After a couple of blocks, turn left into Redchurch Street. Take your second right into Chance Street, then first left into Whitby Lane. This derelict-looking street is home to Loungelover – you won’t be able to miss its flames and lion statues – one of east London’s best-loved cocktail bars. It’s a riot of high-camp chandeliers, gorgeous mismatched sofas and twinkly things. Last stop on your bar crawl is at the end of Redchurch Street: Green & Red. Upstairs is a great Mexican restaurant but not many realise that there’s a fantastic, darkly lit tequila bar below, something you should appreciate, coming from LA.
Simone Baird, Social Club editor
Do you agree? Post your suggestions for Andrew's day out.
Email your cultural problem to cultureclinic@timeout.com.
For more ideas, visit our Bars & Pubs pages.
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