Posts by Andrew Barnes
Gul & Sepoy, Whitechapel, restaurant review: Indian small plates with some big ideas
The team behind Spitalfields’ Gunpowder have diverged from more standard Indian culinary paths, to bring their sometimes frustrating but ultimately rewarding dishes to East London
Read MoreEast End exhibitions – five of the best for March 2018
In our recurring feature, we cast an eye over the top art exhibitions this month, in the borough and beyond
Read MorePenguin Random House marks World Book Day by volunteering in Hackney’s most ‘literacy-vulnerable’ area
As new data reveals Hackney South and Shoreditch’s serious literacy issues, staff at the country’s leading publisher are lending their time to several of the borough’s schools
Read MoreConcert pitch: Hackney’s gig guide for March 2018
This month’s gig guide is an all-American affair: except for a hard-riffing band named after a Gloucestershire village…
Read MoreFood to a-door: Chats Palace to host supper club and market to raise money for new entrance
The former Homerton Library has been a venue and creative hub since 1976 but the frontage has barely changed in 100 years – find out how you can help through fun and feasting
Read MoreVictory Mansion/TA-KO, Stoke Newington, pub/restaurant review: fusion goes down well with cocktails
The relaxed, shack-like cocktail bar is celebrating two years in N16 with a new Asian-cum-Mexican menu of tacos and other small plates
Read MoreJoiners Arms: community meetings announced as plans for new LGBTQI+ pub/hub take shape
Campaign group Friends of the Joiners Arms will solicit ideas for the dormant Hackney Road institution at two get-togethers in March
Read MoreLunar New Year: Hackney’s East Asian communities to unite for Year of the Dog celebration
Members of Hackney’s Vietnamese, Filipino and Chinese populations are working together on a day of performance, collaboration and guest speakers – including Mayor Glanville
Read MoreUp the Junction: Historic Pembury Tavern snapped up by Five Points
The Hackney brewery, located just 100 yards from the Pembury, will put the Victorian public house to use as a taproom
Read MoreThe Spread Eagle, Homerton, pub/restaurant review: spread your (vegan chicken) wings
In search of a range of opinions, our reviewer brought his vegan girlfriend and devoutly carnivorous parents to this hot new vegan pub and Mexican kitchen
Read MorePawnography: Hackney Chess Club turn unlikely fashion icons for Korean clothing brand CHANCECHANCE
Photographer Wendy Huynh decked the club out in coats and tops from the Seoul-based company’s Winter collection, for a Stoke Newington fashion shoot
Read MorePride in your image: young and old LGBTQI+ locals come together for a pair of artistic Hackney Museum exhibits
Out and About and From Bedroom to Battleground will be open in time for LGBT History Month, after the Council spent a year collecting historical testimony and artefacts from the community
Read MoreConcert pitch: Hackney’s gig guide for February ’18
Blissful electronica, a Syrian superstar and the ‘rinsin’ sound’ of a pair of 2000s legends – it’s all in this month’s gig guide
Read MoreThrough time and SPACE: new time-travelling art show brings history of the Mare Street studios to life
‘We were astounded that each and every participant actually had an experience of entering into another reality,’ say creators J&K
Read MoreDream holiday: we talk to a lucid dreaming expert ahead of a sleepy night in Shoreditch
Lessons in Lucid Dreaming, a ‘special evening exploring the history and science of dream research and sleepy teas’ featuring Dr. Josie Malinowski, comes to The Book Club later this month
Read MoreRazor glass to The Cock Tavern and Clapton Craft: Hackney dominates Beard Friendly drinking awards
In the same weekend that brewing returned to The Cock, the comfortingly traditional Hackney Central pub and nearby bottle shop both won in a hirsute landslide
Read MoreWonky books: Hoxton Mini Press turn printing error into free giveaway for ‘most depressing day of the year’
1,500 copies of their photobook ‘I’ve Lived in East London for 86 ½ Years’ turned up with marks on the back, so the East London publisher is bringing joy to ‘Blue Monday’ by distributing them in the capital for free
Read MoreConcert pitch: Hackney’s gig guide for January ’18
Neo-psychedelia, slinky soul and the funeral for a much loved UK record label – it’s all in this month’s gig guide
Read MoreRehab, Hackney Central, restaurant review: in sickness and in health
This new vegan bar and kitchen trumpets the health benefits of its offerings – and who are we to argue when it tastes so good anyway?
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