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An Insider’s Guide to Brixton, London

An Insider’s Guide to Brixton, London

Today’s post comes from Lucy, a journalist, blogger and adopted Brixtonite. Here she presents the insider’s guide to her neighbourhood in Brixton…

An Insider's Guide to Brixton

1. Can you begin by telling us how/why you’re a Brixton expert?

I’ve lived in Brixton for two years and either spend time in Brixton or travel through the area every day. I’ll do my grocery shopping there, frequent its restaurants and I’ll often while away many hours in one of Brixton’s coffee shops working on my next blog post or article.

 

2. How would you describe Brixton in 5 words?

  1. Unique
  2. Buzzy
  3. Crazy
  4. Community-focused
  5. Alive

 

3. Give us one reason why you think everyone should visit Brixton

To experience its constantly evolving food scene.

Bovril Building Windrush Square 2

4. What makes Brixton different to other areas of London?

Brixton has a really strong Afro-Caribbean heritage that dates back to the 1940s’ Windrush era. Six or seven decades later, its strong West Indian culture still lives on in many of its landmarks, businesses, food and entertainment. There’s an energy and sense of community belonging that’s quite unique.

 

5. Can you tell us about some of your favourite restaurants/places to eat in Brixton?

Duck Egg café for friendly staff and value-for-money breakfasts.

Negril for authentic Caribbean platters.

Kaosarn for top notch Thai.

OKAN for the weird but wonderful Japanese dish, Okonomiyaki.

Duck Egg cafe

6. Where are your favourite places in Brixton for a night out?

Kaff is really cool for its gigs (think cabaret and undiscovered bands) and hipster cocktails in jam jars and teapots. But one of my best nights was, unexpectedly, in The Prince Albert on Coldharbour Lane. It’s a no-frills, old man’s pub type of place, but by 9pm one Friday night, one of the most amazing 50s style bands emerged. A whole mix of people started getting up to dance, it was amazing. While I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t been to the famous Brixton Academy, I have been to the nightclub Plan B where I first saw Ed Sheeran perform around four years ago. He was playing a support act and his mic broke so he jumped off the stage and just started jammin’ on his guitar in the middle of the crowd. I thought ‘who is this guy, how is he not famous?’ and of course not long later, he was. I like to think I was one of his first fans.

 

7. What’s an unusual thing to see or do in Brixton that most people wouldn’t know about?

One of our local celebrities is ‘Black Elvis’, which, as his name suggests, is a black guy who sounds, dresses and acts, very much like Elvis! He performs in various pubs around Brixton and Streatham. I can tell you, he’s impressive!

 

8. What’s your favourite touristy thing to do in Brixton?

It has to be Brixton Village. Not only can you find some interesting vintage shops and independent arts and crafts shops here, you’ll also find a rapidly evolving food scene. They have everything from Mexican and Chinese street food to Caribbean restaurants and pizzerias all under one roof, plus various charcuteries and delis selling craft beers and artisan-style products. Many restaurants are BYO but I’ve yet to try the champagne and cheese bar that opened there recently. For the buzzy atmosphere and wafts of delicious food, it’s definitely worth a visit.

 

9. Can you share your favourite photo from Brixton and tell us a little about it?

Caribbean supermarket in Brixton

It’s a picture I took of a local Caribbean supermarket next to Brixton Village. You’ll find many supermarkets like this here. I was wondering around there one day just snapping away at anything that caught my attention and trying to get inspiration for a blog post. It’s a simple photo, but it’s a snapshot of the rich culture and vibrancy of Brixton. They stock so many interesting spices and cooking ingredients, I always spend much longer in them than I’d planned.

 

10. Can you recommend a cool place to stay in Brixton?

I wouldn’t say hotels are Brixton’s forte, but check out Airbnb and there are some really cool apartments to rent on there, all within walking distance of the underground station and shopping area. That way you really get to feel like a local.

Massive thanks to Lucy for her guide to Brixton. If you have any more recommendations to add to the Brixton list, let us know in the comments below!


Lucy OhSoLondonWhen Lucy’s not café-hopping around South London with her laptop and copy deadlines, she’s jetting off on travel assignments and keeping her ear to the ground for the latest food and fitness trends for her blog OhSoLondon.

Sheena

Tuesday 5th of May 2015

I love the kind of travel guide that homes in on a neighbourhood! Even though I lived in Waterloo when I spent a summer in London, I did all my shopping and hanging and eating in Brixton. I adore it.

Michelle | Lights Camera Travel

Monday 4th of May 2015

Great, thanks for the info! I'll be sure to check it out when I am in London later this year :D

http://lightscameratravel.com

Posh, Broke, & Bored

Monday 4th of May 2015

I once had to travel from Shoreditch, south of the river to visit a friend in Brixton. When he saw my trepidation of what I'd thought to be a not-especially-gentrified neighbourhood he rolled his eyes and said "Please, Brixton is the new Shoreditch." To which his Peckham-resident friend turned to him and said "Well, Peckham is the new Brixton"! I can't comment on that, but there you are! x

Jasiminne | Posh, Broke, & Bored

Naomi

Friday 8th of May 2015

Peckham is my favourite place on earth!!! If only I'd bought a place there when I first moved to London I'd be minted now, sigh. I love Brix too - Hootenanny and Dogstar are also good for nights out. Yay to SE London!!!

Lucy McGuire

Monday 4th of May 2015

Thanks for sharing Monica! Was great to work with you and a privilege to be on your site. Big up Brixton! x

Martha

Wednesday 18th of November 2015

Hi Lucy, I'm doing a project on how art has changed in Brixton and I was wondering if you could shed some light on this topic as you seem to know a lot about the local area.