Unique Things To Do In Shoreditch

What used to rival Central in the home of the West End now exists as a hipster haven of bagels and vintage shops stocking archive Vivienne Westwood, and it's not hard to see why this area is considered to be one of London's quirkiest locations. From immersive cocktail experiences and wacky pop-ups to boozy brunches and a world-famous ball pit bar, discover some of the best and most unique things to do in Shoreditch, London. 

Last edited by Scarlett Welch

Last updated on 26th June 2024




Let Loose At A Themed Brunch

On the hunt for things to do in Shoreditch daytime-wise? Look no further than Tonight Josephine. This pretty-in-pink party hub will fulfil your need to dance with its cool range of themed shindigs dedicated to pop icons, ABBA and it's even getting on the cowboy hype with its own Hoedown bottomless brunch, with tickets starting from £39 per person. On top of that, there are karaoke events, not to mention delicious cocktails like the cranberry-flavoured Rose Petal and the refreshing London Lady Sling. 

Giggle At This Comedy Night

Discounts available on certain events

For a night filled with laughter galore, head straight to Top And Bottom Comedy at The Book Club on Leonard Street. One of London's top comedy nights, get ready for 90 minutes of hilarious entertainment from big names in the industry led by the wonderful Benjamin Lovell and Alexander Pankhurst. Grab a seat for just £5 per person and prepare to giggle the whole evening.

Shoreditch Comedy At City Comedy Club

@ Trapeze on Various dates from Thursday 4th July 2024

If you're in need of a laugh, then pop over to City Comedy Club at Trapeze. You'll get a raucous performance from a bunch of Celebrity Mystery Guests, many of which have showcased their talents on the likes of Mock the Week, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and more. Tickets start from only £10 per person, which is a bargain for the amount of giggles you're guaranteed; just make sure to get down early as the show starts promptly.

Head To Queen of Hoxton

£5 @ 5pm - All house drinks

Head on over to East London's Queen of Hoxton this summer where a non-stop schedule of fun awaits, spread across three floors. Saturdays see the high-energy Drag and Waffle Bottomless Brunch takeover, featuring bingo games and prizes, with tickets starting from £50 per person. But that's not all. Venture up to the expansive rooftop where you can get your tan on while sipping on fruity drinks. You can expect to get your lips around Olmeca Altos tequila-based cocktails such as frozen margaritas and ranch water, alongside Estrella Damm beers paired with soft shell tacos and loaded nachos.

Take Aim At Flight Club

Combining darts, pizza and booze, Flight Club know the ingredients for a cracking night out at its fairground-themed venues. Providing the perfect backdrop for a fun group activity or quirky date, this unique bar has become one of the city's most talked-about places, if anything for its cracking Social Brunch deal across Bloomsbury, Victoria, Islington and Shoreditch. From £35 each, you can enjoy a two-hour session consisting of game time, delicious slices and a whole bottle of prosecco per guest.

The Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch - Shoreditch

@ Blues Kitchen Shoreditch on Every Saturday

Let's brunch and boogie, baby. Start your Saturday right with some hip hop, afrobeats and R&B goodness at the Hip Hop Orchestra Brunch in Blues Kitchen Shoreditch. Get your groove on from £15 per person and feast on some yummy BBQ bites while you sip on bottomless booze. Yes, you heard that right. Every weekend brings popcorn squid, Big Boss Burgers filled with brisket and onions, and taco bowls to the mouths of music lovers, alongside bloody marys to wash it all down. 

Join Fabulous Queens For A Weekend KIKI

@ Bethnal Green Working Men's Club on Saturday 6th July 2024 and 23 other Saturdays

Join London's best queens for an unforgettable night at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club of lip syncs, death drops and epic performances. Tickets to KIKI: Drag Cabaret start from £15 each and the drop kick-filled event takes place every Saturday. Surely one of the best things to do in Shoreditch today, this glitzy is also treating you to DJ sets and plenty of prosecco as Ms Ginger Phlappage takes to the stage. 

Attend A Vinyl-Only Evening For Free

@ 26 Curtain Road on Every Saturday

26 Curtain Road is a unique bar covering two floors in an early 1800s space, fronting a charming fireplace, bare brick walls and candle-lit tables. Every Saturday and Sunday it hosts Strictly Vinyl, an evening that consists of vinyl-only selections from resident and special guest DJs. Look forward to the likes of soul, funk, jazz and disco, accompanied by a fine selection of craft beers and cocktails, like a seriously good old fashioned. 

Get A Little Boozy Behind Bars

@ Alcotraz Penitentiary: London on Various dates from Wednesday 3rd July 2024

London's first prison-themed immersive cocktail bar takes pride of place along Brick Lane. Alcotraz is a truly unique drinking experience that'll have you don the famous orange jumpsuits and get thrown into an exciting world of mischief fuelled by contraband concoctions. If you're looking to spice up date night, its up there with the best things to do in Shoreditch for couples - just make your way past the eagle-eyed warden without being caught and loose yourself in a world of theatrics paired with inmates who, quite literally, serve. 

Go For Cocktails And Dinner In An Old Police Station

Spread over copious floors featuring a liquor store, cellar bar, roof terrace and cinema, TT Liquor is a one-of-a-kind venue nestled on Kingsland Road that also happens to have previously been a Victorian police station. Visit this super cool haunt to get a taste of expertly barbequed food thanks to head chef Sam Lone of Oren fame, and enjoy stunning views from a Scandi-inspired terrace. What's more, you can also enrol in a cocktail masterclass if you're not too busy chowing down on the flame-cooked smoked oyster mushrooms with Burford brown egg yolk. Mmmm. 

Plonk Golf - Shoreditch

@ Plonk Golf - Shoreditch on Various dates from Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Situated in Shoreditch, Plonk Golf is an excellent shout if you're after fun nights out with friends and cute first dates. Get stuck into this funky golf course, where you'll get to listen to music and sip on delicious drinks (like the signature Omeca Alto Blanco tequila and butterfly pea tea-based Pool Party) while you play. The creative course features nine holes featuring jellyfish jumps and giant loops, plus there are pool tables, arcades, board games and 4D pong tables to get stuck into if you don't want the fun to end.

Enjoy Some Sky-High Sips

Take to the sky with our pick of the best rooftop bars in the area, featuring modern haunts fronting marble tiles, plenty of foliage and views of the overground cruising along from its terrace. For a more casual bask in the sun, with a pint in hand, hit up one of our favourite pubs, The Culpepper, where you'll find a lush garden full of herbs and vegetables that it uses in its own modern plates. From refreshing pools to tropical oasis-inspired spots with great happy hours, we've got them all here in our guide. 

All Star Lanes Brick Lane

Maybe you're looking for something a little different to do this date night that involves some light-hearted competitive gaming, or perhaps you're in need of an American-style diner experience with a side helping of bowling? Either way, you'll love All Star Lanes. Located on Brick Lane, it fronts cool, sleek decor in the form of graffitied walls and red leather chairs, as well as private karaoke booths in addition to its retro lanes. Swap your shoes and look forward to an evening of loaded hot dogs and strikes. 

Get Dabbing At Drag Bingo

@ Looking Glass Cocktail Club on Various dates from Friday 5th July 2024

Join Lady Ginger's Big Drag Bingo as she serves up a series of glitzy nights complete with live performances, sassy lip-syncs and the chance to win big. Tickets start from £10 each and include a complimentary prosecco cocktail alongside a strip to play. Taking place at The Looking Glass Cocktail Club, it welcomes everyone from office mates to best friends to enjoy its frivolous affairs, complete with DJs and of course, outrageous campery, darling. 

Dine On Brick Lane

Among vintage fairs and Rough Trade in-store signings, you'll find heaps of delicious restaurants down Brick Lane. Most notable for its curry houses, it sees the likes of City Spice, Aladin and Sheba welcome diners with open arms to tuck into award-winning tikka masala. You'll also find some pretty trendy casual eateries here too, like Cafe 1001 - ideal for a slice from Sleazy Pizza, or some unmissable burritos courtesy of DF Tacos. 

Try A Bubbling Cocktail Experience

Enjoy a celebratory bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne on arrival for £75!

The Alchemist are whipping up crazy concoctions in their sleek Old Street bar. Fronting leather booths and modern interiors, it offers an intimately lit date hub or experimental cocktail den that features everything from smoking to bubbling. Expert mixologists line the bar, creating theatrical displays of wizardly as they put together the likes of the Hit And Rum, finished with fire, and luminous Lightbulb Moment, made using gin, artisan ginger beer, lemon and mint.

Visit Columbia Road Flower Market

Having started in 1866, Columbia Road Flower Market is historic and a right of passage for anyone venturing to East London. Wake up early to make the most of the stalls, with a fresh pastry and coffee in hand from one of the many surrounding bakeries (our favourite is Pophams), then make a day of it by hitting up some of the gorgeous pubs that line its streets. Our favourite? Royal Oak, for its movie and TV appearances (a favourite in the Kray twins films), as well as its expert British fare. 

Unleash Your Inner Child At This Arcade

NQ64's Shoreditch location is an arcade lover's dream. With space for up to 450 guests and various seating styles, they've got everything to quench your retro console thirst, from basketball, snowboarding, and Pac-Man to dance machines, Guitar Hero booths, 6-player fighting games and more. This is the ultimate spot to nurture your inner big kid and is enough to satisfy your gaming nostalgia, don't you think?

Go Swinging (No, Not Like That)

The perfect place to let loose and have some fun, get ready to swing into action at Shoreditch Balls - an indoor crazy golf hotspot on Old Street. Promising a wild night out, they have everything from crazy golf to a hot playlist dishing out all the greatest hits from every decade on offer. The venue spans two floors and is decked out in 90s-themed decor featuring neon lights and hundreds of fluorescent golf balls. P.S. Don't forget to sip on their cocktails, which are served directly to your table via copper pipes. From classic martinis to sorbet cocktails and more - you name it, they've got it. It doesn't get putter than this.

Enjoy Unique Cocktails Or Bottomless Brunch

Happy Hour and 2 other offers

If you're after places to go in Shoredtich bars-wise, then The Cocktail Club is sure to fit the bill. Not only are these guys whipping up a range of shaken and stirred concoctions, but there are 00s-themed bottomless brunches to get stuck into as well. Enter the eclectically decorated neon-lit den to snap up two for £12 tipples throughout the week, blast your favourite songs in one of its karaoke rooms, and try tantalising sips like a Lychee Colada or a Solero Sundae, made with coconut Bacardi rum. 

Hit 'Em With Your Best Shot

One of London's most beloved ping pong bars, Bounce has become a hub of drinking and gaming 'til 1am on Fridays and Saturdays across Battersea, Farringdon and Old Street. Grab your posse and take part in a little healthy competition - plus the bottomless brunches for £35 per person with unlimited pizza slices and drag entertainment are pretty impressive. During the week, you'll find a killer menu of wings, loaded fries to share and quirky cocktails, like the Ting Pong, topped with pineapple foam. 

Drink At The World's Best Bar

Noted as one of the world's best bars, Nightjar is a no-brainer for unique places to visit in Shoreditch. A speakeasy with sleek decor and theatrical cocktails, the watering hole is soundtracked by live jazz and swing bands, perfect for sipping expertly crafted tipples in style. Old-school glamour is key here, and so is secrecy as you'll find this haunt tucked away behind an unsuspecting door near Old Street, whipping up the likes of pre-Prohibition themed quaffs like Pearl, made with Roku gin and toasted popcorn rice tincture, or the post-war Parkeroo, featuring El Jimador tequila.

Play High-Stakes Bingo At Hijingo

Hijingo is a unique bar in Shoreditch that provides hours of thrilling entertainment to its visitors. Expect Tokyo Nights-inspired interiors, incredible gameplay with top-quality sound and special effects, along with some seriously impressive prizes up for grabs. For a multi-sensory bingo experience like no other, this is the place for you, whether you're looking to celebrate a birthday, hen do or simply looking for an alternative trip out. Head down for its brunch on Saturdays and Sundays where, from £45 per person, you'll be able to enjoy free-flowing beer and prosecco alongside the regular, exhilarating madness.

Grab Life By The Balls

An icon on the London nightlife scene, Ballie Ballerson is the ball pit bar that's encouraging you to embrace your inner big kid. And with various brightly coloured areas to choose between, a banging playlist of hip hop and disco beats and fruity cocktails on hand, how could you say no? Head down on the weekend with tickets from £25 each to its bottomless brunch, featuring mass karaoke sing-a-longs and hilarious themes such as ABBA, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift. You'll be treated to 90 minutes of unlimited Neapolitan pizzas, plus a whole host of fabulous drinks like pornstar martinis and picantes.

Junkyard Golf Club - Shoreditch

@ Junkyard Golf Club Shoreditch on Various dates from Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Fancy something a little different on your next night out? Then head to Junkyard Golf Club for an evening of competition across four nine-hole courses, themed around spooky circuses, broken down bathrooms and more. Expect plenty of Instagram-worthy neon interiors, alongside cracking cocktails like the Fizz Pop or a Disco is Dead - with delicious pizzas and nachos on the cards too. And the best part? Tickets start from just £9.50 per person.