London area of Brixton guide

What to do and where to stay in London's Brixton neighbourhood

Multicultural Brixton used to be an extremely wealthy settlement outside London. In the 18th century, the area boasted lush farmland and a market garden known for its game, strawberries and windmills. Today, Brixton is best known for its vibrant markets and its position as the centre of London's Caribbean community (a quarter of the population is of African and Caribbean descent). One windmill still stands, although it is in a derelict condition. Electric Avenue, inspiration for the Eddy Grant hit, got its name for being the first shopping street in London to be lit by electricity, and is now the site of the popular Brixton Market. It wasn't the only "first" for the area: London's first department store, Bon Marche, was built in Brixton in 1877. Local landmarks include the Ritzy Cinema (one of England's first purpose-built cinemas), the Art Deco listed 5,000-capacity O2 Academy Brixton, and the Windmill pub. A series of colourful murals were commissioned by the council after the riots of 1981 and many of them still exist today, including one outside the Brixton Academy. David Bowie was born in Brixton, former Prime Minister John Major grew up here and singer La Roux still lives in the area.

See our recommended nearby Brixton Entertainment, Sights and Attractions, Shopping, Restaurants, Pubs, Nightlife, Leisure, Education, and Meeting Venues.

Brixton Entertainment

in or near Brixton
PICK
Electric Brixton
London > Entertainment > Live Music
1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2
With a long-standing live music heritage Electric Brixton has hosted The Clash and the Smiths, The Pet Shop Boys ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Ritzy Picturehouse
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW2
If the Ritzy were a cat, it would have used up most of its nine lives. The cinema started life in 1910 as the Electric Pavilion, ... More
 
 
 
PICK
O2 Academy Brixton
London > Entertainment > Live Music
211 Stockwell Road, Brixton, London SW9
This former cinema with its art deco interior, proscenium arch and 140ft dome is London's most celebrated venue for live music, winning Best Live Venue at ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Sights and Attractions

The best museums, galleries, attractions in or near Brixton
 
 
 
Windrush Square
London > Attractions > Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2
Windrush Square is a public open space in the heart of Lambeth, opposite the Edwardian town hall. Part of the historic Rush Common, it was formed ... More
 
 
 
Photofusion
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
17a Electric Lane, Brixton, Brixton, London SW9
... More
 
 
 

Brixton Shopping

The best shops and markets in or near London's Brixton
PICK
The Old Post Office Bakery
London > Shopping > Delicatessens
76 Landor Road, Brixton, London SW9
In a former Post Office in Lyham Road, Clapham North, The Old Post Office Bakery set up shop in 1982. That was after they'd been serving ... More
 
 
 
traid
London > Shopping > Clothing
2 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2
Charity Shop... More
 
 
 
D-Bess Bakery
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
12 Brighton Terrace, Brixton, London SW9
Afro-Caribbean bakery ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Restaurants

What are the best dining options in or near Brixton London?
PICK
Bamboula
London > Restaurants > Caribbean restaurants
12 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2
Brixton’s best Caribbean restaurant is a real friendly family-run place. They’ve only got a certain amount of space and furniture and whenever a large party arrives ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Blues Kitchen - Brixton
London > Restaurants > South American restaurants
40 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2
Texan BBQ, vintage bourbon and live blues seven nights a week make the good times roll at The Blues Kitchen in Brixton, one of three such ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Veranda
London > Restaurants > Caribbean restaurants
30 Acre Lane, Brixton, London SW2
With a vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar, Veranda has become one of London's funkiest and most cosmopolitan dining destinations. An in-house art gallery showcases a diverse ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Pubs

The best pubs in or near London Brixton.
PICK
Effra
London > Nightlife > Pubs
38a Kellet Road, Brixton, London SW2
By no means your average watering hole; the Effra defies most attempts at description or classification. From the outside it looks like a shabby South London ... More
 
 
 
PICK
The Prince Of Wales Brixton
London > Nightlife > Pubs
467-469 Brixton Road, Brixton, Brixton, London SW9
Spread over several floors, the Prince of Wales Brixton is a pub meets club where the party crowds gather from Friday through to Sunday and throughout ... More
 
 
 
PICK
Hive
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
11-13 Station Road, Brixton, London SW9
Though it has the look of a Carnaby Street style bar, with funky lighting and minimalist decor in gunmetal grey, this new Brixton joint differs from ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Nightlife

Brixton clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
PICK
Ritzy Cafe
London > Nightlife > Bars
Brixton Oval, Brixton, London SW2
This funky little jazz bar is one of South London's hidden delights. Don't worry about the depressingly empty pub section you can see from the street. ... More
 
 
 
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Champagne + Fromage
London > Nightlife > Bars
10-11 Granville Arcade, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9
Expanding from their Covent Garden shop into Brixton, Champagne & Fromage, the venture owned by French Bubbles founders, Maud Fierobe and Stefano Frigerio, can be found ... More
 
 
 
Fridge Bar
London > Nightlife > Bars
1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton, London SW2
Bar ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Leisure

Brixton gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Body Alliance
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
88 Atlantic Road, Brixton, London SW9
Pilates, osteopathy, massage, kinesiology, reflexology and other therapies are offered at Body Alliance in Brixton. Body Alliance was set up by Iovana Velasquez who has created ... More
 
 
 

Brixton Education

in or near Brixton
Access
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Lambeth Education, 1st Floor, International House, Canterbury Crescent, Brixton, London SW9
... More
 
 
 

Brixton Meeting Venues

Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course in or near Brixton.
Babalou
London > Business > Venue Hire
The Crypt, St Matthews Church, Brixton Hill, Brixton, London SW2
Restaurant, bar and club in Brixton at The Crypt of St Matthew's Church. Head chef Stuart Cauldwell has created an international menu. There is also ... More
 
 
 
Acres Bar
London > Business > Venue Hire
40 Acre Lane, Brixton, Brixton, London SW2
... More
 
 
 
Brixton Ritzy Cinema
London > Business > Venue Hire
Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, Brixton, London SW2
... More
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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