WORDS & PICTURES: Abi Prowse

There are few destinations in the world which successfully marry the sheen of modern-day skyscrapers with the intricate brickwork of historic pubs; the rustling of crisply-pressed suits with the artful rips of contemporary streetwear; the futuristic cubes of office buildings with colour-clad splashes of street art. But Shoreditch is perhaps the birthplace of this duality, embodying the mash-up of modern-day London better than any other neighbourhood in the city.

NIGHT + DAY

Once renowned as an area for debauchery and drunkenness, Shoreditch has since polished up its reputation, quickly becoming one of London’s most well-loved neighbourhoods for both locals and visitors. This doesn’t mean, though, that Shoreditch has lost its fun streak; the area is home to some of the city’s most vibrant bars, pubs and clubs, as innovative as they are enjoyable. Whether you prefer the homeliness of a simple, traditional pub or would love to jazz up your boozy evenings with a fluorescently-lit mini-golf course, Shoreditch’s eclectic nightlife scene caters to every style of leisure.

But Shoreditch is no less charming in the light of day. As the bars and their clientele sleep off the antics of the previous evening, the neighbourhood’s businessmen, artists, café owners, and shopkeepers wake up, meeting on the buzzing throughfare of Commercial Street in unexpected harmony. The squat, red-brick buildings – many of which date back to Shoreditch’s days as a hub of the Victorian textile industry – are sheltered by the high-tech glow of The City; astonishingly, neither distracts from the other.

Spitalfields Market bridges the narrow gap between East London and the shiny glassware of the financial district. Whether it’s a quick refuel you’re after at one of the market’s many international street food stalls, or a hand-crafted trinket from a talented vendor, Spitalfields is an ideal meeting spot for friends and colleagues. For homeware and coffee table books, head to Inspitalfields; vintage goods can be found in Collectif.

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CULTURAL FUSION

Many believe that London’s beauty lies in its ability to seamlessly blend cultures and traditions, and Shoreditch is no exception. The tangled warren of narrow, cobblestone streets to the east of Liverpool Street train station houses a tapestry of restaurants and eateries from across the globe. In fact, compact Artillery Passage alone boasts cuisine from Tuscany, Japan, Thailand, and China, as well as hosting one of the locations of Middle-Eastern culinary empire Ottolenghi. Just a short walk further east will guide you to infamous Brick Lane: London’s undisputed home of authentic curry dishes.

Brick Lane and the surrounding area, whilst most famous as the vibrant home to London’s Bangladeshi community, is beloved also for its murals and street art pieces. Although walking the full length of this celebrated street will take you only fifteen minutes, you’ll pass vintage markets, bowling alleys, bookstores, train tracks, coffee houses, and so much more, each corner of every building lovingly decorated in an explosion of colour and chaos. Expression, liberation, and creativity ooze from the cracks in Shoreditch’s brickwork.

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HOT OFF THE STREETS OF SHOREDITCH

As you head towards the northern end of Brick Lane, following intersecting Bethnal Green Road west will lead you towards Shoreditch High Street. Picture the sophisticated rusticity of Soho, and add some colour; this part of Shoreditch is celebrated particularly for its contributions to London’s streetwear scene. AIDA Shoreditch and Sneakersnstuff are two stores which offer well-curated and often-updated collections of streetwear clothing and footwear, the former even doubling up as a coffee roastery. A short walk west towards Old Street station will bring you to the industrial-yet-elegant storefront of Goodhood: a large, bamboo-clad boutique boasting the latest in street fashion, as well as unusual homeware, technology, and cosmetic products.

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A neighbourhood that caters to both the high-flying businessman and the fresh-faced artist, the streets of Shoreditch and Spitalfields are a place where Londoners from all walks of life are free to express themselves, finding themselves reflected in the community around them. Far from the somewhat-gimmicky haunts of more central London, Shoreditch allows breathing space to anyone who needs it, perfectly representing the smorgasbord that is contemporary London.