September: the reboot of the working year. New restaurants, new bars and, well, new neighbourhoods. Shoreditch has officially grown up, Brixton keeps hitting us with new openings and Kingly Court has upped its food game.
Oh Shoreditch, how you’ve changed. We previously had to trek west for the likes of Estée Lauder and Diptyque, but now they’ve moved into… Boxpark. Over the road on Redchurch Street, joining the ranks of Club Monaco, Sunspel and Sweaty Betty, Kit and Ace have opened with their ‘wearable cashmere’ line, and next door, Counter Albion ticks the trend boxes with their natural wine bar – West Hampstead, eat your heart out.
But, for those looking for a slice of the young and new, it seems all roads lead to Brixton. Besides the bustle of Brixton Village, Pop Brixton is the hive of activity at the moment. Aside from the new restaurants and cafés, it’s the live gigs, talks and art installations that keeps the pulse ticking. This weekend, we’re psyched for a back-to-back of live music: Friday night jazz and hip hop with Sumochief followed by a medley of 90s hip-hop, R’n’B, garage and D’n’B on Saturday. Oh, andPhonox – finally a new club on the London scene.
As for food (and dangerously close to UJ HQ), Carnaby Street—specifically Kingly Court—has, surprisingly, come up trumps. Dirty Bones is moving in with their brand of trash food – think mac ‘n’ cheese, hot dogs, and chicken and waffles. Dishoom will be bringing their Indian small plates to the neighbourhood, but we’re most excited for Shotgun, the American barbecue grill and cocktail lounge from the team behind The Lockhart – we’re hoping their cornbread makes the transfer.
New month, new ‘hoods – London, what will you throw at us next.
