The Book Club
The Book Club opened on Leonard Street in 2010 as a multi-use venue that defies easy categorization. By day it's a workspace and coffee shop. By evening it's a bar with ping pong tables, life drawing classes, pub quizzes, and DJ sets. The basement hosts club nights, comedy, and live music. The programming changes daily, with events ranging from spoken word to disco to craft workshops. The ground floor is spacious with high ceilings, mismatched furniture, and a long bar. The basement is darker and more intimate, suited for the music events. Drinks are GBP 5-7 for beer, GBP 9-13 for cocktails. Most events are free or GBP 5-10 entry.
What to Expect
A venue that changes personality throughout the day. Morning coffee drinkers give way to after-work drinkers, then to event-goers. The basement hosts the louder events. The ground floor stays social and conversational. Ping pong, board games, and events make it easier to meet people than a standard bar.
Creative, social, and unpretentious. The events programming creates natural conversation starters. The mix of activities means people aren't just staring at their phones between drinks.
Varies by event. DJ sets cover disco, house, funk, and hip-hop. Live music events feature indie and acoustic acts. The ground floor plays background music during bar hours.
Casual. This is a Shoreditch multi-use venue. Come as you are.
Solo travelers, groups looking for something more interactive than a standard bar, and anyone interested in a venue that combines social activities with drinking.
Cards and contactless accepted.
Price Range
Entry free-GBP 10, pints GBP 5-7, cocktails GBP 9-13
GBP 5-13 ≈ USD 6-16 / EUR 6-15
Hours
Mon-Wed 8 AM to midnight, Thu 8 AM to 2 AM, Fri 8 AM to 2 AM, Sat 10 AM to 2 AM, Sun 10 AM to midnight.
Insider Tip
Check the events calendar before visiting. Every night is different. The ping pong tables fill up fast in the evening, so get there early if you want to play. Life drawing sessions (usually midweek) are a good icebreaker for solo travelers.
Full Review
Leonard Street connects Shoreditch High Street to City Road, and The Book Club sits roughly in the middle. The ground floor space is generous, with enough room for the bar, seating areas, ping pong tables, and event space without feeling cramped. Tall windows let in natural light during the day, and the eclectic furniture creates zones that feel distinct despite sharing one room.
The programming is what separates The Book Club from a hundred other Shoreditch bars. Any given week might include life drawing, pub quiz, DJ nights, comedy, book clubs (actual book clubs), and craft workshops. This variety means repeat visits feel different each time. It also means the crowd changes: a Tuesday life drawing session attracts a different audience than a Friday DJ night.
The basement club space is compact but well-suited for intimate DJ sets and live performances. Sound is decent for the room size. The transition from ground-floor socializing to basement dancing feels natural, and the ability to move between the two spaces gives the evening flexibility.
Drink prices are in line with Shoreditch standards. The cocktail menu rotates seasonally and is competently executed. Food is available during the day and early evening (burgers, sharing plates) at GBP 8-15 per dish.
For solo travelers, The Book Club is one of the best options in Shoreditch. The activities create natural interaction points that don't exist in standard bars. Sitting down at a ping pong table or joining a pub quiz team opens conversations without any awkwardness.
The Neighborhood
Leonard Street is one block north of Great Eastern Street, in central Shoreditch. The surrounding streets hold dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops. Old Street roundabout and its transport links are a five-minute walk west.
Getting There
Old Street station (Northern line) is a 5-minute walk. Shoreditch High Street (Overground) is 6 minutes. Bus routes along Old Street and Great Eastern Street serve the area.
Address
100-106 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4RH
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