Believed to be the first metropolis to bear the hallmarks of The Industrial Revolution, the London landscape comes littered with buildings originally designed for manufacturing. While many have been left derelict, demolished or been re-purposed for housing, a few managed to remain a part of modern London's own most popular industry - nightlife. From the car-makers pumping out brewery-fresh beer, to the sweet factory that became a low-waste mecca, these London bars and restaurants all played a part in the making of the city they call home.
Bussey Building
While nowadays Peckham's Bussey Building is better known for housing big club nights and basement record stores, in the early years of the 20th Century it was quite a different ball game. Involved primarily in the production of sports equipment, the plant, as it was then, built cricket bats for eminent players, alongside dining-cum-billiard tables, and a golfing contraption that let keen swingers practice without the need for ball retrieval.
Peckham's iconic Bussey Building used to be a factory for sporting goods.
Crate Brewery
Hackney Wick's White Building has held a number of jobs in its time. Starting life as a sweet factory before becoming a print works, the canalside hotspot now pumps out fresh pints and pizzas courtesy of the Crate Brewery, as well as housing SILO - London's lauded low-waste eatery - which actually still sounds pretty sweet to us.
Fresh pints and low-waste plates are the order of the day at this old sweet factory and print works.
East London Liquor Company
A sipping spot still very much involved in manufacture, the East London Liquor Company is a working distillery in the heart of East London that produces an array of craft spirits including wheat vodka and the first whisky to be made in London in over a century. Located in a corner of a former glue factory, this Bow Wharf beauty is more than just a production line though, as the ELLC also added a cocktail bar and restaurant to their remit.
This former glue factory is still in the production game as East London's best-loved distillers.
Lyle's
If you've ever been to Shoreditch you've probably spotted the Tea Building - the 1930s, eight-storey monolith that was once home to the Lipton's Tea factory. These days the best place in the building to get a cuppa - or indeed anything edible - is Lyle's; a slick but spartan dining room on Redchurch Street, this restaurant was named among the World's 50 Best in 2019 for its micro-seasonal menu.
An old tea factory now lets you grab a cuppa in the World's 33rd best restaurant.
Little Faith Taproom
A relaxed and friendly taproom down in Deptford Creek, Little Faith is one of a number of small businesses that found in a home in Artworks Creekside, a community hub and old car-makers yard. With ten line of beers to choose from, as well as some serious toasties, you might be going down for the industrial design and river views, but you'll be staying for the cheese sambos and brews.
From car parts to craft brews, head over to Artworks Creekside for a taste of Little Faith.
Caravan Bankside
From metal boxes to some of London's best brunches, Caravan did the city a favour when they converted this old Bankside factory into a bright and beautiful restaurant and coffee bar. While they may have added a bit of padding to those stark industrial fixings, the space still retains many of its 19th century features, with exposed brick and metal-framed windows.
Caravan Bankside continues to kick it old school by showcasing its 19th century features.
Looking for more of the capital's historic establishments? We've rounded up some of the London's oldest pubs.
