Alternative London: Street art, hipster neighborhoods, and hidden spots
London is not just Big Ben, museums, and Victorian pubs. There is another London, younger, creative, and underground, made up of street art, vintage markets, hipster cafes, craft breweries, and nightclubs in old warehouses. It is the London of artists, musicians, designers, and young people who have transformed neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Hackney, Peckham, and Dalston into open-air laboratories. In this guide, discover the must-see places of alternative London: street art, hipster neighborhoods, hidden spots, and tips for living the city like a local.
Shoreditch: The heart of creative London
Shoreditch is the ultimate hipster neighborhood. What was once a degraded industrial area is now the center of fashion, design, street art, and alternative nightlife.
Street art in Shoreditch
Shoreditch is famous worldwide for its street art. The walls change constantly, featuring works by famous artists (Banksy, Invader, Stik) and anonymous ones. The best area is aroundBrick Lane, Shoreditch High StreetandRivington Street.
What to do:
Brick Lane:The main street, full of vintage shops, art galleries, and street food stalls. On Sundays, there is a market.
Hanbury Street:One of the streets with the most concentrated street art. Here you can find works by Banksy (including the famous "CCTV camera").
Great Eastern Street:Large murals and works on entire buildings.
Redchurch Street:Design boutiques, trendy cafes, and independent shops.
Street art tour:There are guided tours (2 hours, £10-15) that explain the history and the artists. You can also explore on your own (free).
Vintage and independent markets
Brick Lane Market (Sunday)
The most famous market in Shoreditch. Vintage (leather jackets, Levi's jeans, vinyl records, retro furniture), street food (cuisines from around the world), and crafts.
Boxpark Shoreditch
A shopping center made of recycled containers. Independent fashion shops, streetwear, sneakers, and many restaurants.
Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday morning)
It's not in Shoreditch but in Bethnal Green (very close). A flower and plant market with colorful stalls. Incredible atmosphere.
Hipster cafes
Look Mum No Hands! (Old Street):A café-cycle (café and bike workshop). Great for breakfast and brunch.
Ozone Coffee Roasters (Leonard Street):Specialty coffee roastery. The best coffee in Shoreditch.
Prufrock Coffee (Leather Lane):Excellent coffee, relaxed atmosphere.
Nightclubs
XOYO (Cowper Street):Club with internationally renowned DJs (electronic, house, techno). Very crowded.
Night Tales (Falkirk Street):Outdoor space with a bar, street food, and music. Open from May to September.
The Old Blue Last (Great Eastern Street):Historic pub (17th century) famous for free live concerts. Managed by Vice Media.
Hackney: The most authentic neighborhood
Hackney is less touristy than Shoreditch, more authentic, with a mix of Caribbean, Orthodox Jewish, and young creative communities.
What to do in Hackney
Broadway Market (Saturday)
A market for quality food and crafts. Less chaotic than Brick Lane. Cheeses, bread, pastries, high-end street food.
London Fields
A huge park with an outdoor pool (London Fields Lido) heated year-round. In summer, it's full of young people having barbecues and playing games.
Netil 360
A rooftop bar with a view of London. Cocktails priced at £8-12, relaxed atmosphere. Located on Netil House (an artist studio building).
The Glory
A LGBTQ+ pub and club with drag shows, karaoke, and themed nights. Very fun.
Dalston: The new frontier of nightlife
Dalston has become the neighborhood of alternative nightlife. Clubs, bars, and venues open late, frequented by young people and artists.
What to do in Dalston
Dalston Roof Park (summer only)
A free rooftop on top of a parking garage. Bar, wooden benches, music, city views. Very popular.
The Shacklewell Arms
Pub with live music (rock, indie, punk). Themed nights, craft beers.
Vortex Jazz Club
Jazz and improvisation in a small, intimate venue.
Ridley Road Market
A very authentic multi-ethnic market (Caribbean, African, Asian). Fruits, vegetables, fish, and street food at low prices.
Peckham: The Surprising
Peckham, south of the Thames, has become one of the coolest neighborhoods in London. It is famous for rooftop bars, art galleries, and a multi-ethnic atmosphere.
What to do in Peckham
Frank's Cafe (summer only)
A rooftop bar on top of a parking garage (Bold Tendencies). Cocktails, street food, spectacular views of London. Open only from May to September. Free (minimum purchase required).
Peckham Levels
A former parking garage transformed into spaces for artists, studios, cafes, restaurants, and a bar on the sixth floor. Free entry.
Bussey Building
A complex of art studios, theaters, dance halls, and cafes. There are often exhibitions and markets.
The CLF Art Lounge (Rooftop)
Another rooftop bar with a view, open year-round.
Street art beyond Shoreditch
Banksy Tunnel (Leake Street, Waterloo)
A tunnel under Waterloo station, entirely dedicated to street art. It is legal and anyone can paint. The murals change every day. Free entry, open 24/7.
Stockwell (original Banksy)
Look for the famous "Banksy's Pulp Fiction" (two actors with oranges instead of guns) in Rosetti Mews (near Stockwell). It dates back to 2002, one of the oldest Banksys in London.
Camberwell
Another neighborhood to the south with street art and art galleries.
Hidden venues and speakeasies
London is full of "secret" bars (speakeasies), often unmarked, hidden behind seemingly normal doors.
1. Evans & Peel Detective Agency (Earl's Court)
A fake detective office. You have to ring the bell, say the password (found online), and "explain your case." Inside, a 1920s bar with excellent cocktails.
2. The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town (Liverpool Street)
The entrance is inside a refrigerator in a restaurant (The Breakfast Club). Open the fridge and you find a staircase leading to the bar.
3. Cahoots (Soho)
A 1940s themed underground bar. Decorated like a Tube train carriage. The waiters are in period uniforms. Cocktails served in teacups.
4. Nightjar (Shoreditch)
A speakeasy (no sign) with live jazz music and high-quality cocktails. It's small, reservation required.
5. Discount Suit Company (Petticoat Lane)
The entrance is in a thrift store. Press a switch and a bookshelf opens to the bar.
Alternative markets
Camden Market(already covered in article 16) is the most famous, but here are others:
Brixton Village Market (Brixton)
An indoor market with stalls of Caribbean, African, Asian, and South American food. Vibrant and multicultural atmosphere. Open every day.
Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey)
A street food market under the train tracks. Smaller and less touristy than Borough Market. Open Saturday and Sunday.
Vintage Market (Brick Lane, Sunday)
The best vintage market in London. Leather jackets, Levi's, Hawaiian shirts, glasses, bags.
Tips for exploring alternative London
Go on weekends:The markets (Brick Lane, Broadway, Columbia Road) are much livelier.
Use the Overground:The London Overground connects Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston, Peckham. It's more convenient than the subway for these neighborhoods.
Bring cash:Some markets and stalls do not accept cards.
Don't dress like a tourist:If you want to blend in, avoid the giant map and the camera around your neck.
Explore on foot:Alternative neighborhoods are discovered by walking, entering courtyards and side streets.
Be open:Alternative London is multicultural, creative, sometimes dirty and chaotic. It's part of the charm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the most famous street art in London?
In Shoreditch (Hanbury Street, Great Eastern Street, Brick Lane) and at the Banksy Tunnel (Leake Street, Waterloo).
What is the hipster neighborhood in London?
Shoreditch is the most famous. Hackney, Dalston, and Peckham are the new frontiers.
Where to eat cheap street food?
Brick Lane (Sunday), Broadway Market (Saturday), Maltby Street Market (Saturday-Sunday), Brixton Village (every day).
What are the best vintage markets in London?
Brick Lane Market (Sunday), Portobello Road (Saturday, for antiques), Rokit (Covent Garden, fixed store).
Where to go out in the evening in London if I don't like touristy places?
Shoreditch (XOYO, Night Tales), Dalston (The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston Roof Park), Peckham (Frank's Cafe, Bussey Building).
Are rooftop bars open all year round?
No, some (Frank's Cafe, Dalston Roof Park) are only open from May to September. Others (Netil 360, The CLF Art Lounge) are open all year round.
Is Banksy Tunnel open every day?
Yes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Admission is free.
What is the best way to explore street art?
You can take a guided tour (£15-20) or download a map online (free) and explore on your own.
Is alternative London safe?
Yes, generally. Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston, and Peckham are safe, but like in any big city, keep an eye on your belongings and avoid isolated streets at night.
Can I paint in Banksy Tunnel?
Yes, it is legal. Bring your spray cans and contribute to the art (but be aware that someone might paint over your work within hours).
Summary Table
| Neighborhood | Specialties | Tube/Overground | Must see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreditch | Street art, vintage, nightlife | Shoreditch High Street (Overground) | Brick Lane, Boxpark, Hanbury Street |
| Hackney | Markets, parks, cafes | Hackney Central (Overground) | Broadway Market, London Fields, Netil 360 |
| Dalston | Nightlife, multicultural | Dalston Kingsland (Overground) | Dalston Roof Park, Shacklewell Arms |
| Peckham | Rooftop bar, art | Peckham Rye (Overground) | Frank's Cafe, Bussey Building, Peckham Levels |
| Waterloo | Street art (legal) | Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern) | Banksy Tunnel (Leake Street) |
Creativity, rebellion, and authenticity
Alternative London is a world apart, made of creativity, rebellion, and authenticity. From the street art of Shoreditch to the rooftop bars of Peckham, from the vintage markets of Brick Lane to the underground venues of Soho, there is an entire city to discover beyond the tourist postcards. Put away the Big Ben map, take the Overground, and let yourself be surprised. Here you won't find plastic souvenirs, but real experiences, walls that speak, and craft beers enjoyed in a parking lot transformed into a rooftop garden. Welcome to true London.
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Review date:April 2026