With an unusual blend of nightclubs and curry houses, Brick Lane stands out as a fashionable and artistic home of British-Asian culture. It shares its associations between the traditional Bengali people of Southern Asia and the city’s alternative set. Walk down this long street of surprises for a glimpse into the fascinating mélange of cultures.
Note how the street signs for Brick Lane are translated into Bengali. A range of impressive graffiti decorates this regenerated area, which was once associated with poor slums and Jack the Ripper murder scenes. Today, galleries and restaurants flank this edgy street, which is frequented by the city’s hipsters and fashionistas.
Enjoy a few drinks at the Ten Bells pub, which has been on this street since the middle of the 18th century. Many legends link two of Jack the Ripper’s victims to this pub. Another historic drinking hub is the Old Truman Brewery, which is today a large warehouse with markets and restaurants.
Join the festivals and markets that take place here throughout the year. Arrive in the evening for the various bars and clubs that make Brick Lane one of the party centers of the city. Standing beside the nightclubs are curry houses and bagel shops, where long lines of hungry revelers form through the night.
Note that the street has long been part of the Bangladeshi-Sylheti community, earning the nickname of Banglatown. It serves as a symbol of London’s proud blend of ethnicities.
Brick Lane is in the regenerated, fashionable Shoreditch area of East London. It is north of the River Thames and the City of London district. Ride the National Rail train to Shoreditch High Street or take the London Underground to Aldgate or Aldgate East. See nearby sights of interest, such as the Old Spitalfields Market, the East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre and the Village Underground.
