Things to do in Brixton

Brixton has always been a vibrant place to live and today, more than ever before, it has blossomed into an exciting mix of shops, bars, restaurants, clubs, galleries and coffee shops.

One of the main reasons for this is the rejuvenation of the market land on Coldharbour Lane into Brixton Village, while Brixton's close proximity to Clapham, enjoying a boom of its own, helps the overall party feel. There's certainly no shortage of lively nights to be had in the district.

Brixton features some of the best live music in London. Venues such as the Hootananny, on Effra Road, boost its reputation as a hotbed of live bands and artists. The music here is intended to do one thing and that's to get everyone dancing! The live acts are diverse, including many different genres, such as heavy dub, bluegrass, rock, punk and just about everything else in between.

Federation Coffee, on Coldharbour Lane, is often said to serve the best coffee in Brixton, with an accompaniment of mouth-watering cakes and sandwiches to entice even the most discerning diner. Open seven days a week, it's a great place to catch up with friends while enjoying excellent food.

If you're looking for a lively venue with a large roof terrace for socialising, the Prince of Wales, on Brixton Road, will fit the bill. Enjoy music, clubbing and even pub quizzes at the venue, with one of the best sound systems in Brixton.

Franco Manca, on Market Row, serves authentic, wood-fired pizzas, with a variety of different toppings and a special sourdough base. Pick and choose from an array of Mediterranean toppings and they'll serve up your own perfect pizza.

The Brown Derby, on Kennington Park Road, is a pub that offers a certain olde-world charm and smartness. With the emphasis on retro style, it features a long, mahogany bar and a jukebox.

For ale lovers, The Crown and Anchor, on Brixton Road, is one of the best places in the UK to sample craft beers. In fact, it was featured in The Guardian's Top 10 pubs in Great Britain! With up to 25 taps, serving a diverse range of real ales, cider and craft beer, it's the enthusiast's paradise. There's also an open kitchen where customers can see the chefs serving classic pub fare with a twist. And, when the weather's fine, you can even dine al fresco.

If you're looking for live music, Dogstar, on Coldharbour Lane, is definitely a Brixton institution, having spawned some of the finest music legends in the UK since it opened in 1995. The Prodigy, Massive Attack and The Specials have all played there. The venue spans three floors and has a vintage decor. It's a popular meeting place to chill out on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, or to enjoy a lively party night, whatever your musical tastes.