Confessions of a Shoreditch Girl

Cocomo, Old Street

2009-07-09T10:35:00.001-07:00

It's Friday night and one of my friends is leaving London tomorrow so we're here at Cocomo to celebrate and commiserate.

It's £4 happy hour cocktails until 8pm on weekdays so we start the night here. I've heard others enjoying the cocktails but I personally found my Mohito way too minty and my Cosmo way too strong - it was undrinkable. To be fair the Passion Ice Tea was OK. Where the girls lack cocktail-mixing finesse, the overall place makes up for it.

It's smaller and cozier than most bars in the area and we love the rich vintage red and gold interior. We sit along the wall that's lined with half moon benches to create a somewhat intimate affair. Downstairs feels like walking into a 70's makeout party in your mate's basement (with the parents still upstairs).

Loos are down in the lower level too so the pedestrian traffic should stop anyone up to anything no good. Cocomo offers up this space free to hire!! Well recommended as it is a good sized venue for you and your 50 or so Facebook mates.

A DJ comes on some time around 7pm to start spinning some tunes. It's the usual pumping dance or house depending on whose playing.

We didn't eat here this night, but I have done in the past. Hummus, toasted paninis, English tea.. however with so many other good cheap eats in the area, I'd give Cocomo a miss, unless you like your lunch served with free ambience on the side.

From 8pm to 10pm, it never really got very full, which is good because when it's quiet, it's the perfect place, when it's full, it's too claustrophobic! Most chill outside because of the good weather and for the social smoking. We end the night fairly early to make it to Electricity Showrooms just around the corner for a lit-up dance floor boogie. Bring it on!

Info:

Cocomo

323 Old Street

London

EC1V 9LE

KOKO

2009-05-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's Friday evening, let's jump on the Northern Line at Old Street tube station and head to Camden High Street, on the way to my favorite of all time venues - KOKO!

Whether it's for bands, birthdays, or Halloween fun, this venue hasn't let me down, even the cranberry vodka tastes sweeter here!

Ornate balcanies, red painted walls, and stairs stairs stairs! There are many levels in this fantastic place so knowing where your friends are is a must! My favorite spot to lounge is on the 2nd mezzanine - lined with plush sofas that overlook the whole of the 1st mezzanine, dancefloor, and stage! There's even a bar on every level so you don't go dry for very long.

The Chartshow Live is taped here and where I got to see Ladyhawke, Chris Cornell, and White Lies for free a few weeks back. The dancefloor is not so big that it feels like an arena and is fairly itimate.

Tonight was a Cage the Elephant gig. Their live show by far tops their CD - this band belongs on a stage. Will let the photos do the talking now...

We didnt stay for the club night which starts immediately after the band put down their instruments but it's a worthy 5 hours of indie and rock and pop tunes.

Here's a tip: Use the loo at the top level of the venue. Offers an almost no-queue system at dizzying heights! Careful walking back down though!

Contact Info:
Koko
1A Camden High Street
London
NW1 7JE

Hoxton Square

2009-05-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite weekend pastimes in summer is spent kicking back in Hoxton Square Park. You don't have to go far for serenity in Shoreditch! Hoxton Square is just behind Curtain Road and is surrounded by choice bars, cafes, and restaurants that we sometimes nip into to use the loo, it's cheeky I know.

If you prefer a bigger park (more like a field) then Shoreditch Park is ideal, only 20 minutes walk from Old Street station up East Road.

On Sunday, we were meeting friends for a leaving do, so out came our bright tartan picnic blanket, mango Rubicon juice boxes (we were hungover), some light nibbles, and sunnies!

We were able to catch the sun's ray well into late afternoon. In the meantime, we caught up with friends, were showered periodically with buds falling from the trees, and made friends with a beetle.

By 6pm, the sun dipped low behind clouds and the wind picked up. With our stomachs grumbling and our bodies shivering, it was time to go home! But what a great way to end the weekend! A highly recommended East London activity.

Rough Trade East

2009-04-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

After Friday's grey and cold downpour, it was really refreshing to open our eyes Saturday morning to the glorious, warm SUNSHINE! Thanks London for being so unpredictable but being so kind as well.

My friend Charlotte texts me round 9am to see if I wanted to go see bands play for free at Rough Trade, with nothing else planned, I quickly accepted!

2007 saw Rough Trade open a new 5,000 sq. ft. shop just off Brick Lane complete with a coffee shop, a performance stage, an exhibition space, and an internet/workshop corner. It's bright white inside, always busy as, and so interactive it's a great place to just hang out!

At 4pm, a band called Dutch Uncle were due to play so in the meantime, we basked in the sunshine outside the shop with our bottles of Bulmers and plenty of fags. When the weather is warm, you'll find lots of Shoreditch locals in and around Brick Lane so we never felt lonely or was guilty of committing ASBO behaviour!

Dutch Uncle were running a big late but they finally made it round 4.30pm. The wait was worth it, they were great! The lead singer has a style of dancing I had never seen before. A bit robotic, a bit chaotic.

As for their sound, I think Rough Trade described it best: "Call it prog-pop, math-rock, indie, jingle-jangle". Amen.

Contact Info:
Rough Trade East
Dray Walk
Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London
E1 6QL

Leon, Spitalfields Market

2009-04-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

This particular Wednesday night we decided to go to Leon in Spitalfields Market. I was after something 'salad' and erring on the side of veg, while my boyfriend, Luke was after something cheap and cheerful, and of all requests, "not salty"!

Leon describes themselves as Organic Fast Food, but they are far from what the term 'Fast Food' generally means. Leon's philosophy is good food that's good for you too. They serve fresh, organic, and healthy meals, in a way that's quick and easy to order so you can eat and go!

The Spitalfields Market Leon is split into 'dine-in service' and self service. After a hard day at work, we both agreed and opted for dine-in and chose the far back cosy corner. The seats and the low lighting is perfect to cuddle up with your partner or get cosy with mates. It's a great place in winter.

Their menu ranges from salads, wraps, organic rice dishes, and grilled free-range chicken they call 'freedom chicken' served with your choice of mexican salsa, chili, or aioli. The desserts are also made with the same 'good for you' ethic, using fruit sugars rather than refined. One of my favorites is the Makerel Superfood salad. So incredibly filling and affordable!

Inside, the decor is really inviting. Low lighting, plush red sofas and couches to recline in, real home photos of 70s beach holidays and summer breaks to look at, plus a full library of books against the walls!

Luke caught up on some light reading while we waited for our food.

According to the season, additional items are added to the menu, such as soups or organic salmon cakes.

We eventually peeled ourselves up from the couches and joined our flatmates at the Big Chill in Brick Lane - about 2 minutes away. Being a work night meant we set off home by 11.30pm, all in all, another very enjoyable night out in East London!

Contact Info:
Leon Restaurant
3 Crispin Place
Spitalfields Market
E1 6DW
020 7247 4369

Jaguar Shoes

2009-04-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

I met someone recently whose usual hangout is Jaguar Shoes on Kingsland Road. It suddenly dawned on me that it had been more than 2 years since I stepped foot in the lovely bar, let alone the wonders of Kingsland Road itself!

For those who have not been, or think it's a late night shoe store, Jaguar Shoes used to be just that, a shoe store with a handbag shop to the right. With the middle wall knocked down, a lick of plaster and paint, and round tables and brown leather couches brought in, it's now a trendy little drinking hole in Shoreditch.

The original signage "Dream Bags" and "Exporters Importers" is still emblazoned above our heads as we walk into the airy ground floor, I love the feel of this place. Large windows lead to a brighter drinking area than most bars in Shoreditch.

Last Friday I gathered my usual gaggle of girls after a few at the Griffin on Leonard Street and we headed straight there. It was 10pm.

If the basement used to be a stock room, Im not too sure, but what I do know, we didn't have to wait for bar service down there which was a pleasant surprise. This was a Friday night, right?

I texted my old flatmate to join in on the fun and in 10 minutes he showed up where we started up again discussing words we find grafittied on walls. The night ends round 1am when the bouncers move us out of the basement. Standing outside Jaguar Shoes now, and feeling April's chill, I'm thinking I shoulda slipped into the Ladie's loo before I left! As I run off into the night, we never did figure out what the hell "Blaps" mean!? Oh well, there's always next weekend!

image borrowed from Anthonyjhicks Flikr album

Contact Info:
DreamBags/JaguarShoes
32-34 Kingsland Road
Shoreditch, London
E2 8DA
020 7729 5830

A Shoredith Confessional

2009-04-02T06:19:00.000-07:00

You're probably thinking, "Oh no, not another blog!"
While I agree there are quite a few blogs on the Internet right now, especially fashion related, I must persist Dear Reader (and new fan), this is not just another London-based rant, rave, or commentary about fashion or the latest trends...I think you can pick up a magazine for that!

This is my confessional, a personal diary from a Shoreditch girl, one who lives, works, parties, and unwinds in this quaint little pocket of East London town.
I hope you will find this blog to be a pleasant mix of East London thought and insight from a local resident! Just consider me your Shoreditch Spy.

(will insert a self portrait photo here soon - promise!!)

Pleae note: All images used are my own, taken with my own digital camera. Where images are borrowed, credit will be clearly stated.
Please message me for any queries regarding imagery.