London: Shoreditch, Spitalfields & Brick Lane

I'm no hipster but I had to check out London's cool East End to see what all the fuss was about! After about five days of military sightseeing I fancied a drink or two so I set off for Spitalfields to have a pint of cider at the Ten Bells pub, where Jack The Ripper committed two of his attacks. I also ate a great curry at one of the curry restaurants along London's legendary Brick Lane.

OK, so my day up east was crazy so I see the format of this blog take an equally messed up path! Like I mentioned before I was seeking something relaxed because for the last week I had been running around London, finding new things to experience in a city I had so much see. I look back to my hipster outing when I had to run for the bus after my curry. Anyway, after walking over Tower Bridge I made my way east to Spitalfields, but I'll get back to that in a moment. Shoreditch showed me that hipsters are cool and they have created their community within buildings and warehouses that looked like they were once abandoned or dilapidated. The June sunshine helped me work up quite a thirst so I found the Commerical Tavern, I wasn't ready for the crazy cool decor of the pub until I took a seat at the bar. I really loved the vintage shabby chic look of the pub so I was very impressed with my find in retro London! Shoreditch defecated all over Camden big time boy! Oh I met an old friend at the Commercial Tavern! 

That old friend was a pint of 'Old Rosie' I vowed to have one pint because that cider is 7.3% and that's strong for cider! I kept to that one so all was good, I thought I had learnt my lesson from my experience drinking pear cider. I was game to see another hipster spot like the Commerical Taverrn but I made the most of the sunshine walking around East London looking towards the streets of Dalston. I'm a realist so spending the first part of my alternative London afternoon walking around the streets of E1 sounded like a plan. In a strange way it was quite fancy, who's that to say anything different? I wasn't in a position to spend my pennies on clothes because I always look after my pounds! I got a really cool vibe from Shoreditch it was a Saturday afternoon and everyone was just doing their thing so you already know I liked it! The previous day I went to Woolwich so my crusade through London was showing me a completely individual set of neighbourhoods that all had their own personalities. Hello Shoreditch! Let's turn this up! Like now! 

Have you heard of the Huguenots of Spitalfields? The now fashion forward gentrified area of Spitalfields has a secret to tell you! When the French Huguenots arrived in Great Britain some of the refugees radiated towards Spitalfields, London and soon enough this East End hotspot has become another hipster cool environment. I'm no history buff but it didn't take a fool to see that the streets of Spitalfields had been restored to their former glory. Thanks to my trusty iPhone map I didn't have a problem finding Fournier St, like I said those French H's must have left more than their passion for fashion behind?! From the 1700's over 50,000 came over from France to become England's first official refugees for their branch of Christianity was frowned upon during that time in France. I say what France detested so much gave Spitalfields, London something to stay triumphant! Yes!

As my afternoon progressed I found myself at the Ten Bells pub, a historic pub that was frequented by the infamous Jack The Ripper who committed two of his many murders at that very pub. I said to myself that I was only stopping for two pints of Strongbow but from out of nowhere I got speaking to this crazy couple from Thailand who had more money than they needed so it was free drinks for Joe! All in all I had a great afternoon at the Ten Bells, I had my pride so I paid for a few drinks in-between because I don't believe in being a complete free loader, it's not right but it was okay! Throughout the eccentricity of the afternoon that turned into the early evening I really loved the vibe at the Ten Bells for the pavement area and pub had become really busy with the chatter of the local London folk who were having their first few drinks of the night. It was eventful but I knew when to leave because things started to get a bit crazy! I love the drama!

Brick Lane was waiting for me even though I had already checked it out earlier that day I still needed to have a curry, little did I know I should of been in a hurry! Keeping things simple I chose the Standard Balti House, yes that's the actual same of the curry house that I picked on Brick Lane. I order the Goa Chicken with a side order of boiled rice and naan bread, as if I hadn't had enough to drink I decided to drink a pint of Kingfisher Indian Lager. I now understand why a curry is the best way to finish a good drink because I needed something substantial to eat after that booze! Without any hesitation I ate the lot, paid and got myself back on a bus towards 'the water' as that's what I asked for directions because the night was wearing on once I had finished my curry, thankfully I found the main road after getting to know Bethnal Green with just enough credit on my Oyster card I jumped on the 49 bus. The 49 took me all the way to London Bridge then I only had a short walk to go but because of the time I quicken my pace! 

Looking back it was great to meet my cider nemesis in the form of Old Rosie at the Commercial Tavern, I'll be reunited with her one day soon I just know it! Taking a chance on Shoreditch I made my way through Pudding Mill Lane to find the hipster warehouses that I could have spent a fortune on vintage clothing but I'm always poor! It's too late to apologize for the amount of cider and god knows what else I drank at the Ten Bells pub, I would of took Jack that Ripper down because I'd of just brought back BB! She surfaces after a few whiskeys! Spitalfields served up some vintage Huguenot hot couture but I spent all my money on booze and curry! The streets were literally my runway that night because I got myself back before closing time, the folk of Bethnal Green shouldn't be judged because I found the 49 bus to London Bridge thanks to them! London served another full packed day and night of new experiences that turned out to be crazy, cool and suitably satisfying! I needed a lie down the next day I tell you! Trust alternative London!

Spitalfields ... Keep On Serving Hot Serving Hot Couture!

Joseph Harrison