Funky Venues

Venue Review

Character: Imposing and sober municipal building with romantic grandeur and charm

Funky Features: Rococo balcony, picturesque stage, Intricate stone detailing

Location and History

The heart of Hoxton’s decade-long transformation into the hippest hangout in London is Shoreditch Town Hall. A Grade-II listed building built by Caesar Augustus Long in 1866, it was originally built as a Vestry Hall for Shoreditch and has something of a shadowy past, being the site of the inquest into the last Jack the Ripper killing. It fell into disrepair in the 1960s, becoming something of a seedy hangout, although indie kids will remember it fondly as the venue for The Wag in the early 1990s when the Old Street area was nothing but car parks and bagel shops. Saved from dilapidation in 1997 by Shoreditch Town Hall Trust, it reopened in 2005 as a venue for hire and has hosted such glitzy events as Elton John’s 60th and Sam Taylor Wood’s 40th joint birthday party, The Diesel-U-Music Awards, post premier parties and artist dinners.

Interior

Because of the building’s municipal history, the architecture is grand and sober. Wonderful ornate flourishes and stone detailing can be found throughout the building. From the gleaming floor of the entranceway that leads visitors to the double staircase and the heavy mahogany doorways, it’s a classical building with contemporary touches but retains the romantic faded grandeur of a Victorian music hall.

Spaces for Hire

On the ground floor is The Council Chamber, a Victorian Vestry Hall dating from 1865 that has been restored to its original splendour with wooden floors and glorious chandeliers and has the capacity to hold 200 people. Upstairs is the breathtaking Edwardian Assembly Hall, a dramatic room with a Rococo balcony, decorative arches and a stage that is perfect for wedding receptions and post-premier parties. To the left of the Assembly Hall is a preparation area for catering purposes. Adjoining the Council Chamber is the Mayor’s Parlour, an elegant room with stain glass windows perfect for smaller gatherings and receptions and there are three committee rooms ranging in size for more intimate events.

The venue can provide a list of caterers and other suppliers, although they are happy for the client to choose their own suppliers and they do not charge a corkage fee.