Freelance photographer Liz Johnson Arthur has worked for everyone from Sunday Times, Observer magazine, ID, Dazed & Confused, the Face, Fader magazine. Toured with M.I.A, Blur, Seun Kuti and Lady Gaga to name a few, and during all this time her Black Balloon Archive has been growing and growing - with no end in sight.
A brilliant little hidden gem of a place to relax and look at some interesting rare / Out of print books and Magazine. Their evening art events are also very special. Great atmosphere and great people.
Brilliant Corners...Great sound system, vinyl only, dancing, left field, fourth world, jazz, afro, and some refreshing cocktails to help with all the sweating. Probably the only place i will actually dance in.
They also do amazing Japanese food earlier in the evening.
Being an East London boy at heart I am partial to an occasional fix of café culture. Pellici's has been running since the start of the last century, to which me, my father and my father's fathers have all enjoyed its mix of tasty Italian/London grub and energetic atmosphere. If you're visiting, make sure you drop by, as it will provide a valuable, forever-depleting education into what East London is really all about.