Things to do in Shoreditch, East London
Shoreditch has cemented itself as one of London’s most distinctive areas over the years. ‘Shoreditchification’, as it’s called. This has become the term for the dramatic rise in popularity and progression occurring in this East End hub. Its dynamism, variety and diversity has made it one of the most attractive places to live in the capital.
Despite the general increase in the cost of living, you can still enjoy everything the likes of Hoxton and Haggerston have to offer on a student budget. Cheap eats are everywhere, cool bars and pubs are around every corner, and transports links to the rest of London are plentiful. So lets get into the nitty gritty…
Cheap Eats
But Shoreditch is expensive, right?
Shoreditch restaurants are some of the most popular in London, and so it’s easy to assume that they all have prices that reflect this fact. Thankfully, you can enjoy some really great grub in Shoreditch for prices that are actually fairly kind on the pocket. The area is surprisingly home to some of the best cheap eats in the capital - excellent!
Voodoo Rays BoxPark
Fancy amazing New York style pizza by the slice for only a few pounds? Then head over to Voodoo Rays! Only a five minute walk from Dalston Junction station, they’ve got so many options that every taste and preference will be covered. The vibe is wonderful and the staff are so friendly.
For an amazing cheap-eat, Voodoo Rays should definitely be right up there near the top of the list. As an added bonus, check out the nearby Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, a secret botanical garden in the heart of Dalston!
How much? Enjoy a slice of pizza from £3.50
FlatIron Curtain Road
Normally when you think of steaks, you think of that burgeoning hole in your wallet/purse. However, FlatIron have changed the game. For only a tenner you can get their house speciality, the FlatIron steak served with a house leaf salad. This steak is phenomenal, and with a plethora of inexpensive sides on offer, a meal at FlatIron is just perfect for a student budget.
How much? £10 for a steak and salad!
Andina
This Peruvian inspired restaurant is one of Shoreditch’s foodie gems. The variety of flavours on offer, along with an awesome vibe in the setting makes Andina a brilliant choice for students. Significantly, the prices are good too! Resting at the heart of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche, a universal favourite.
Here you can choose between five excellent options, including a dish of yellow fin tuna tartare, beetroot cress, seaweed and potato mash, and rocoto chilli meringue.
How much? Enjoy a Chicharron Pork Belly Sandwich for £6
Things to do in Shoreditch
Explore Boxpark
When someone mentions Shoreditch, one of the first things that will come to mind is Boxpark. A pop-up mall for independent fashion and lifestyle stores and cafes, literally made from shipping containers. Boxpark embodies the qualities that make Shoreditch what it is; quirky, creative, fashionable and cutting edge.
Grabbing a cocktail at one of the bars upstairs is a great idea, especially when the sun is out, but make sure to have a peruse in the many pop-up shops lining the street too.
How much? From £5 for a cocktail
Queen of Hoxton
Arguably one of the most iconic venues in Shoreditch, the Queen of Hoxton has been a popular joint for students and young professionals alike for years. The prices are favourable, the vibe is awesome, the food is good and the nights are long and memorable!
How much? A pint of Estrella Damm is £4.90
Street Art Tour
One of Shoreditch’s cultural arteries is its vibrant and diverse street art culture. Despite the rapid gentrification of the area, the dynamism of Shoreditch’s street art has endured. Take a street art tour, or explore the area’s street art for yourself, and be immersed into the visual history of Shoreditch’s evolution!
How much? £12.50pp for groups of 5 or more
Old Spitalfields Market
Known for its markets, one of Shoreditch’s most famous is Old Spitalfields Market. It is full of an incredibly eclectic range of pop-up eateries, coffee shops and bars. There are a fantastic selection of stalls selling everything, ranging from clothes to arts and crafts. For a cheap day of exploring, eating well and grabbing a few bargains, head to Old Spitalfields Market!
How much? depends on how good your haggling skills are
Best Pubs/Bars
Bars and pubs are everywhere here. There are so many cool bars in Shoreditch that you really will be spoilt for choice. Drinks prices can be pretty steep in the capital, but there are a lot of Shoreditch pubs and bars that can suit a student budget!
Barrio Shoreditch
Part of the Barrio chain, Barrio Shoreditch is a great place to unwind and have a good time with your friends. Latin American-inspired, the food is vibrant and colourful, and the cocktails are extensive and more than just a little bit delicious. Shutting later on the weekends, Barrio closes at midnight at the earliest throughout the week. ****
How much? Enjoy a bottle of Urban Orchard Cider for £4.50
Princess of Shoreditch
Sometimes, a warm cosy pub is all you need for an evening of relaxation. The Princess of Shoreditch is just the ticket in this regard! Serving traditional pub food and drinks at decent prices, this charming pub is worth a visit. Apart from Sundays where they shut at 10pm, The Princess of Shoreditch is open until 11pm throughout the week.
How much? A glass of white wine will cost you upwards of £3.95
Bar Kick
A bar filled with foosball tables and countless screens showing sport? Don’t mind if we do! Bar Kick is a brilliant spot to chill with your friends, grab a bite to eat, have a few drinks and see who is taking home the bragging rights when it comes to the table football. Situated just down the road from Old Street station, this bar is conveniently located and decently priced. Perfect for a budget-conscious student. Bar Kick closes at midnight onwards at the weekends.
How much? You can get yourself a cold Sagres for £3.70!
The Ten Bells
Just round the corner from Old Spitalfields Market sits the charming pub, The Ten Bells. With an amazing atmosphere and an extensive drinks selection, this pub is understandably a popular choice for many. The Ten Bells closes at 12am every night, besides Friday and Saturday where they close at 1am.
How much? A decent cocktail will cost you £6
Transport links
Shoreditch is very well connected to the rest of London. Whether it be the tube, overground or bus, you can get to your destination in London cheaply and conveniently through public transport.
Tube: Old Street Station, Barbican Station
→ 6 mins to Kings Cross via Old Street → 13 mins to Camden via Old Street → 22 mins to Oxford Circus via either Old Street or Barbican
Overground: Hoxton, Shoreditch High Street
→ 29 mins to Clapham High Street via Hoxton/Shoreditch High Street
Bus: Routes go across London, ranging from the 55 that goes towards Oxford Circus and the 135 that goes to Tower Bridge.
→ 33 min bus to Oxford Circus via the 55 from Great Eastern Street → 22 min bus to Tower Bridge via the 135 from Shoreditch High Street Station
Shopping
Shopping in Shoreditch is varied, but the most desirable shops to check out are the vintage/thrift shops where you can pick up some one of a kind pieces for great prices.
Absolute Vintage
One of the best vintage stores in London, let alone Shoreditch, Absolute Vintage is the place to go to pick up some great vintage pieces for great prices. It’s time to go full on Macklemore!
How much? We picked up a pair of sunglasses straight out of the 90s for £5
Blitz
Bursting onto the scene in 2011, Blitz have jostled for the top spot with regards to the best vintage shop in Shoreditch. Located in a stunning old furniture factory, the store is filled with unique and timeless pieces that can be snapped up for great prices.
How much? Shirts from upwards of £10
Beyond Retro
A mainstay in the vintage store scene in Shoreditch is Beyond Retro. It has been the source of bargains and the like for countless shoppers over the past three decades and it is showing no signs of slowing down. For a cheap gem, head to Beyond Retro - and be prepared to browse!
How much? We found a green knit beanie for £6 - and it's proper warm
Accommodation
While the general cost of living in London has risen, with Shoreditch affected too, you can still live cheaply in the area as a student. You can snap up a well-located student hall for around £180 p/w minimum. Dalston and Bethnal Green are excellent options for those desiring a cheaper student accommodation with easy access to Shoreditch too.
Check out Campusboard to see if there are any listings in Shoreditch that suit your budget!
Have we missed any hotspots that you know about? Let us know below!
Be sure to share with any of your friends that are thinking of moving to Shoreditch in the comment section below!