This Week in East London: 4th – 10th December 2023

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Head To:

The Hackney Christmas Market

Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU

Open: Every weekend until Christmas

If you’re looking to support small businesses as you shop for Christmas gifts this year or simply want a warm boozy beverage come the weekend, you’ll want to swing by this Christmas market. Open between 6pm and 10pm on Fridays, you’ll find samples of beer from over 20 breweries, while Saturdays and Sundays are more about browsing the stalls while grabbing a bite to eat along the way. It’s Christmas shopping but not as you know it…

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Anna Sheckleford (@watsoncraftgifts)

Drink In:

The Spurstowe Arms

68 Greenwood Rd, London E8 1AB

The Spurstowe Arms is a firm favourite with London Fields locals who are keen to avoid the crowds that Broadway Market welcomes. In the summer, people flock to the beer garden for a pint in the sunshine but on these drearier days, the inside is all pared-back decor and a sense of community that’s sometimes hard to find around these parts. The Sunday roast is excellent and they’re currently taking a limited number of bookings (it gets very busy so this is well worth doing). The drinks menu is simple with a focus on beer and wine, but we’ve enjoyed a mean negroni here too!

 
 
 
 
 
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Eat At:

Bambi

1 Westgate St, London E8 3RL

Bambi fills the spot that was previously the home of much-loved Bright, and so it had big shoes to fill but fill them it has. This music-led small plates restaurant and wine bar has opened to a whole lot of praise. The wine list is short and unintimidating with staff who are happy to point you in the direction of something you might just love, while dishes like cauliflower cheese arancini and mussels cooked in white wine with more than just a dash of chilli call to be shared. This is the sort of spot that you want to be taken on for a first date: it’s cool, fun and unpretentious.

 
 
 
 
 
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