For the past five years, Shoreditch has been the place in London to discover new possibilities in the nightlife world, with the coolest and newer bars, pubs and clubs. Popularized by the artists, it has been a haven for the underground and fashion conscious types who like a little bit of creativity and the unknown when venturing out for night in London.
Shoreditch bars and clubs are smaller than the West End nightclubs, they are decked out in the latest urban art trends and interior, and will be playing the latest underground music you can find, from English Folk, to Dubstep. Drinks are cheaper, entry fees are lower and there is a rawness that will not be replicated on a commercial dance floor in Leicester Square. Try Hoxton Pony or T bar for a taste of the above.
This is what has drawn in Londoner's and tourists alike, and made this a fantastic alternative to the glitzy, overhyped and overpriced nightclubs in the West End. Shoreditch bars and clubs have increased rapidly over the years, and there is always somewhere new to discover that will keep your nights out an interesting and explorative affair.
Recently though, a new wave of Shoreditch venue has been popping up on the streets of Old Street and Hoxton. Bar and Club operators have spotted an opportunity to exploit the buzz and footfall on the Shoreditch streets by bringing a certain West End flavor to these East parts of London. This has been a minority shift that will go unnoticed by most Shoreditch party goers but it is an important observation to make as this could represent the start of a significant shift in the London bar and club scene.
It appears bar and club owners feel there is more of a demand for high end Cocktail drinking and more exclusive, swanky interiors to cater for the Shoreditch crowd. Shoreditch now rivals the West End as one of the top night-life destinations of London so with that brings money and customers to cater for. Perhaps not everyone wants a sweaty, retro-inspired, Checkered Shirt dominated dance floor anyway? So what type of events am I discussing?
Well, let's take Glo Glo's Bar for example. Located in the basement of The Great Eastern Dining Room, this feels like a hidden members club, tucked away in an exclusive Hotel in the heart of Mayfair or even Tokyo, so you would sometimes be a little confused to stumble across this bar on a Friday night in Shoreditch. With seating wrapped all around the main center-piece bar, you can sit and marvel at the fine cocktails being served up. There is a DJ in the corner offering up smooth House Beats, and an electric atmosphere full of chat and laughter. This venue has class and style in abundance and is a long way from the usual Indie-graffiti inspired Shoreditch bar. This marks a new trend towards the new wave of Shoreditch Cocktail bars .
Glo Glo's is not alone, there are plenty of other bars in Shoreditch offering up a more West End styled experience. Take a trip down to see Ninety Eight Bar on Curtain Road. This is a former Members bar that has now gone public, and has some of the finest and creative cocktails around in Shoreditch. You will be impressed with the elegant piano and eccentric but beautifully crafted décor; This is a hidden gem of a bar.
I predict this trend to continue as we see more and more West End type venues opening up in Shoreditch, but with more style and class, come higher drinks prices so it might leave Shoreditch old timers, scrambling for the avenues of Dalston. Shoreditch is now leading the scene of London nightlife and I think offering up even more variety of bars, clubs and pubs can only be good for those who love Shoreditch as a place to go out in London.
