Miloco

What To Do?

The Square is, funnily enough, located in Hoxton Square . Over the years we seen this area slowly change from a distressed ghost town into a thriving epicentre of fashion, swamped with art students, ethnogeeks, Japanese fashion brats and various locals.

Our studio used to be only one of a few creative businesses in the area, in the days when the Blu bar used to be the Bass Clef (and after that Acid Jazz HQ and the Blue Note club). But changes have most assuredly been afoot, and the area's been transformed. For example, there are now so many restaurants and cafes that - if you have the time, dedication and appetite - you can practically eat in a different place every day of the year. Here is a selection of the best bars and restaurants in the area, along with suggestions of nice things to do.

To Visit

White Cube2
48 Hoxton Square, N1 6PB
Tel. 020 7930 5373
www.whitecube.com

Jay Joplin's second (and now sole) gallery, specialising in freakishly hyped, influential and occasionally innovative artwork. From Hirst to Emin, Quinn to Harvey, if it's shamelessly provocative Brit Art you're after then look no further. Practically next door to Miloco 3.



Ironmonger Row Baths
1-11 Ironmonger Row, London EC1V 3QF
Tel. 020 7253 4011
www.aquaterra.org/Islington/IRB/

A haven of relaxation, the Turkish Baths at Ironmonger Row have been described by the Evening Standard as "the best value-for-money stress-busting technique in town".
The suite includes a steam room, a series of three hot rooms of varying temperature, marble slabs for massage and body scrubbing and an icy plunge pool. There are also two relaxation areas. They offer men only, women only and mixed sessions...



St Paul's Cathedral
London EC4M 8AD
Tel. 020 7246 8350
www.stpauls.co.uk/

For a slice of history head to the banks of the Thames to where Charles and Di tied the knot in 1981. Underneath Sir Christopher Wren's famous dome (the biggest in the world after St Peter's in Rome) you should beware the whispering gallery, which reputedly carries softly spoken words far and wide.


Spitalfields Market
Commercial Street, London E1
www.spitalfields.org.uk

Escape from the clones' high street and discover some hidden gems from the world of fashion, the arts and interiors. Old Spitalfields market is open 7 days a week, and a few of the highlights include a Deli market every Wednesday and a book & record fair every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Thursday boasts an antiques market while Friday sees the arrival of a shed load of fashion and arts paraphernalia.



Museum Of London
150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
Tel. 0870 444 3852
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/

Film footage, photography, oral history recordings and more than 3000 objects are all laid on to evoke the capital's history between the French Revolution and World War I. Elsewhere, a 'Victorian Walk' of original shop-fronts and workshops recreates the atmosphere of the 19th century while a prehistoric gallery casts light on life on the Thames Valley over a half a million years ago.



Comedy Cafe
66/68 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3AY
Tel. 020 7739 5706
www.comedycafe.co.uk/

The Comedy Cafe is one of the few purpose-built comedy clubs in London , so limber up your chuckle muscles and come on down to Shoreditch. You're not just booking dinner, though, but an entire evening of nice nosh, cocktails, stand-up, and funky music...



333 Club
333 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LE
Tel. 020 7739 1800
www.myspace.com/333mother

333 is a triple floor, multi-themed playground of a club that sums up Shoreditch perfectly. Located only a couple of doors away from our Hoxton Square studios, it's scruffy, noisy and packed with crazy kids wearing crazy clothes and bouncing up and down to weird and wonderful tunes (The Cross it is not...) If you like clubbing to be a full body immersion experience then the 333 is for you.



Cargo
83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3AY
Tel. 020 7739 3440
www.cargo-london.com/

Offering some of the same as the 333, and plenty of other stuff, Cargo complements the Shoreditch scene perfectly. Housing a bar and a cafe as well as a live music and club space, it's definitely a multi-tasker. Expect anything from nu-disco to melodic latino soul.



Sh!
57 Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, London, N1
Tel. 020 7613 5458
www.sh-womenstore.com/

Sh! (pronounced shush) is a sex shop for women, run by women. They stock a bewildering variety of sex toys, from edible knickers to dildos and bondage gear. Men aren't allowed in unless they're accompanied by a woman.



Rough Trade East
Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL
Tel. 020 7392 7788
www.roughtrade.com/site/content.lasso?page=east.html

The legendary independent label and store's East End site is located just off Brick Lane. Apart from the obvious - selling records - the shop also hosts numerous early evening showcase gigs.



Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane London E1. Open Sunday Dawn to 12:00 pm

Brick Lane is a great place to head even if you haven't got anything on your shopping list! Located to the north of the railway bridge, it spills out onto Cygnet Street, Sclater Street and Bacon Street where you'll find a bewildering variety of stuff on sale, including: meat, fruit and veg; electrical goods, tools and household essentials; bikes, jewellery and clothes (from street wear to the best second-hand bargains).

To Eat & Drink

Fifteen
www.fifteenrestaurant.com/
15 Westland Place, Shoreditch, London, N1 7LP. Tel. 020 7251 1515
Map: click here

Jamie Oliver's massively publicised restaurant has been met with critical acclaim. The cooking owes a lot to his mentors (Gennaro Contaldo of Passione, and Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray of the River Cafe in particular) but it's an impressive achievement from a guy of his years. Definitely worth a visit, but you'll have to book well ahead.



Cantaloupe
www.cantaloupe.co.uk/
35-42 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PD. Tel. 020 7729 5566
Map: click here

This bar cum restaurant establishment always feels buzzy. The food is international, with elements of Pacific Rim and Mexican usually on offer. Good value and good fun.



Eyre Brothers
www.eyrebrothers.co.uk/
70 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4QX. Tel. 020 7613 5346
Map: click here

This operation is run by the guys responsible for the hugely successful Eagle gastropub. The theme here is Spanish and Italian, and the food is superb.



The Elbow Room
www.theelbowroom.co.uk/
97-113 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3BS. Tel. 020 7613 1316
Map: click here

Owned by music industry legend Arthur Baker, features 7 purple-baize pool tables, an abundance of leather sofas, waitress service, and an eclectic music policy to keep the party swinging right through till 2am, and entry is free. There's also a full modern American char-grilled menu throughout the day and evening, including The Independent's recent Top Ten Burgers in Britain.



Rivington Bar & Grill
www.rivingtongrill.co.uk/
70 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4QX. Tel. 020 7613 5346
Map: click here

The Rivington Bar & Grill is far more than that. It's: a lounge bar; a restaurant with a "comforting, easygoing" menu; and, during the week, a deli for shopping and take-away. The restaurant's open Mon to Fri 8.00am to midnight (bar menu only: 15.00-18.30), and noon to midnight Sat and Sun. The Deli is open Mon to Fri from 7.30am to 5.00pm.



The Real Greek
www.therealgreek.co.uk
15 Hoxton Market, Shoreditch, N1 6HG. Tel. 020 7739 8212
Map: click here

The best Greek restaurant in London, bar none. Theodore Kyriakou is a culinary master, and this place has really put Greek cooking on the map. Handy for those of you who book into Miloco 6, as it's so close you will be able to smell the food being cooked! Turn up, smash a plate and have a ball.



Beigel Bake
159 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1. Tel. 020 7729 0616
Map: click here

On Brick Lane, but not a curry shop! This 24 hour take-away beigel/bagel shop is something of an institution in these parts. Whether you choose smoked salmon and cream cheese, salt beef and pickles, or prefer them naked as nature intended you're sure to be impressed. They are the best beigels in the UK.



City Spice
www.city-spice.co.uk
138 Brick Lane, Shoreditch E1. Tel. 020 7247 1012
Map: click here

A great place to head for if you're hoping to seek out truly authentic Bangladeshi cuisine. The menu covers unusual offerings including ureebisi gatta dishes (curries cooked with Bangladeshi runner bean seeds) and shatkora fruit (from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh).



Cafe Naz
www.cafenaz.co.uk
46-48 Brick Lane, Shoreditch E1 6RF. Tel. 020 7247 0234
Map: click here

Cafe Naz is a contemporary addition to the Brick Lane curry shop roll-call. Focusing on both traditional and more modern interpretations of Indian and Bangladeshi food, it is very popular.



Great Eastern Dining Rooms
www.greateasterndining.co.uk
54 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3QR. Tel. 020 7613 4545
Map: click here

The Great Eastern Dining Rooms have been a feature in the Shoreditch landscape for a few years now, but they still manage to attract a decent amount of business. This is probably down to the frequently changing menu, attractive decor and helpful staff.



Apostrophe
www.apostropheuk.com/
42 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch EC2A 3EP. Tel. 020 7739 8412
Map: click here

Innovative Paris-style boulangerie-patisserie-cafe. Expect a selection of continental favourites (croissants, brioches and toasties) with plenty of fresh coffee and juice as well.



Yelo
www.yelothai.com
8-9 Hoxton Square, Shoreditch, N1 6NU. Tel. 020 7729 4626
Map: click here

Part restaurant, part takeaway, all Thai, Yelo attracts a gastro conscious following of locals and scattered Londoners who appreciate Thai food at reasonable prices. If you're after a more informal meal then just turn up and be seated at the communal bench seats in the canteen; otherwise you'd better book ahead for a proper table downstairs.



Trafik
40 Hoxton Square, N1. Tel. 020 7613 0234
Map: click here

This bar nearly falls into the category of Shoreditch by numbers. Its redeeming quality is its cocktails, which are a cut above most of those available in the surrounding area (Hoxton bars are notorious for regarding rum and coke as a serious cocktail). Regular appearances from decent DJs also help to the atmosphere fresh and funky. Practically next door to our studio 3.



Bluu
www.bluu.co.uk/
1 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU. Tel. 020 7613 2793
Map: click here

Bluu is definitely at the more comfortable and welcoming end of the Shoreditch bar scene. Admittedly there is still concrete and steel in abundance, but for once you might encounter a reasonable thickness of upholstery 'twixt arse and seat. Cocktails are handled with confidence and comparative dexterity, and you might even find a bite to eat.



93 Feet East
www.93feeteast.co.uk/
150 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL. Tel. 020 7247 3293
Map: click here

93 Feet East is another "must visit" East End bar, and pleasantly different from the Vibe across the road. A chic 'n' spartan interior coupled with an awesome line up of DJs and live music ensure that this nightspot is always packed with an up-for-it crowd.



Vibe Bar
www.vibe-bar.co.uk
Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. Tel. 020 7426 0491
Map: click here

The Vibe Bar sums up all that's best about scruffy/cool Shoreditch-type boozers. Equipped with arcade games, scuffed leather sofas and extremely laid-back staff, this is the place to go for afternoon Bloody Marys or evening shenanigans. There is also a courtyard out the front that is the focus of the action when it's hot and sunny.



Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen
www.barworks.com
2-4 Hoxton Square, London N1 6NU (020) 7613 1137
Map: click here

Definitely more of a bar than a kitchen, this place is not a bad destination if your favoured tipple is lager (their cocktails aren't much cop). Worth a peek if nothing more. They also server modern European dishes and daily specials.



Liquid
8 Pitfield Street, N1 6HA. Tel. 020 7729 0082

It's organic everything at Liquid, from the fruit juice with bits floating in it via the wonderful naturally-gaseous beer, to the inventive food. Even the guest DJs tend to look healthy, though if you want to appear in the best light you'd best venture downstairs to the sound-free zone where the lights are dimmer. A home-grown gem of a one-off for all who've had their fill of chain pubs.



The Bricklayers Arms
www.thebricklayersarmspub.com
63 Charlotte Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PE. Tel. 020 7739 5245
Map: click here

One of those places that attracts people because it attracts attractive people, but it also lures less glamorous media types and even a few locals of long-standing, which all makes for a good, boisterous mix, especially on weekends. The decor is nothing out of the ordinary, but then it doesn't have to be given the people-show on offer. Added bonuses are the music (varied) and the food (understatedly creative), the latter being available upstairs.



The Owl And The Pussycat
34 Redchurch Street, E2 7DP. Tel. 020 7613 3628
Map: click here

This little pub is one of the only places in Shoreditch that you can get a pint without having to plough through hundreds of Japanese fashion students or ironic flat hat-wearing types. On that basis alone it should get a gold star... Nice Garden too and Sunday Roasts are not to be missed.


Hoxton Tapas
Hoxton Square, N1.
Map: click here

Located opposite The Square, this good value Tapas bar is perfect for a quick bite mid-session. The restaurant's style is in general keeping with the trendiness of Hoxton Square.