The Bridge

This is one of Shoreditch’s most flamboyant places but from the street it’s almost outshone by the brighter bars around it. Take a walk up Kingsland road and beneath the bridge there’s a quaint looking café affected with vintage typography and a charm to its grated façade that could put this cafe-bar in another era. However, it’s this era it belongs to and once inside you begin to see there’s more to it than its good looks. The ground level features seating at the long bar alongside its vintage espresso machines and a brassy décor to gawp at. Gilt mirrors, tiffany lamps, neon signs and a collection of delicate pastries, and yet one level up it goes a step further still. The stairs take you to a gaudy boudoir of pink velvets, fuchsia throws and violet fainting couches that look like someone took inspiration from a Fondant Fancy. Hipsters, coffee lovers and knowledgeable tourists fill its space, each inspired by the exotic show.

What makes The Bridge so unusual is that despite its long hours (it’s open as late as some of the bars) there’s not much alcohol and so what it has going on is that most rare of things in London, a version of a coffee shop culture. The engaging staff are friendly and despite the lush first floor it’s the bar that most people want to be around, taking in coffee, cakes and the genuine buzz of the place.