10 creative spaces in London for dreaming and doing (2024)

Last updated - January 3rd 2024

London is teeming with creative spaces fit for the 9-5, but when darkness descends, they’re surprisingly hard to find. This guide is for all the Londoners who have creative side hustles or hobbies, but aren’t ready to commit to a studio space, and can’t concentrate at home. Whether you’re looking for London writing cafes, laptop friendly spots, or creative community spaces, read on to know where to find them.
PS. In the interest of sticking with our niche, lots of these venues are located in East London.
A picture of Photobook Cafe in Shoreditch, a creative space in London

  1. Photobook Cafe, Shoreditch

Offering reasonably priced cheese toasties, coffees and juices by day and cocktails and light bites at night, Photobook Cafe is an inside-outside venue with a focus on art books. The venue is a launch pad for indie books and films, and you can find a roster of free evening events listed on their website. When we visited, we asked about bringing laptops in and the general consensus is that as long as there's no event on and you buy a few beverages, it's ok. 

Tucked away from Great Eastern Street on Leonard Circus square, you could easily miss this one. It's open until 21:30pm Monday-Saturday, Sunday is 10-4.

2. Barbican, Barbican

We recently learnt that the Barbican is open from 9:30 until 23:30, seven days a week. If you want to get a good seat, it's recommended that you come early on in the evening as it does get packed with everyone from exhibition visitors to students, but it's a huge sprawling space and very budget friendly since there's no obligation to spend. Barbican even states on its website that 'it's a place to hang out.'

If you're looking for something more studious and silent, Barbican Library is free to join and open until 19.30 on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It's also open on Saturdays.

3. Hoxton Cabin, Hoxton

We've spent many early evenings editing the newsletter at Hoxton Cabin and rate it for the reasonably priced drinks and laid back atmosphere. This is a good venue to work on something with a friend and then bolt on some fun afterwards. Downstairs in the basement there are comedy nights running from Tuesday-Saturday, aswell as events like live jazz and philosophy cabin.

4. The Hoxton Hotel, Shoreditch

The expansive ground floor of The Hoxton Hotel in Shoreditch is always packed with laptop-wielding humans, so it's going on the list. The Hoxton even admits 'our sofas have been the unofficial workspace of choice since 2006.' Since The Hoxton is a hotel, the opening times are generous and it has a frenetic energy about it that makes it a fun place to while away a few hours.

5. Ye Olde Rose and Crown, Walthamstow

A theatre, comedy club, gig venue and pub all combined in one. Ye Olde Rose and Crown is a laid back boozer and they don't mind if you're tapping away on the laptop as long as it's not at peak weekend hours when live music is going on. We really love this place due to its eclectic customers of all ages and walks of life and the friendly staff.

6. The British Library, Euston

If you want to feel like you're in Harry Potter when you're working, register for a Reading Room pass. It's totally free, you'll just need to bring proof of address to register. Reading Room members can choose from a huge range of pin-drop quiet, ultra-studious spaces in the building. Laptops are allowed and phones, but you'll have to leave everything else in a locker. They don't allow water in any of the reading rooms due to protecting the books, which we do think is a bit extreme, but you can come and go as you please. The rooms are open from 9:30-20:00 Monday to Thursday and 10:00-17:00 on weekends.

If you'd prefer to be able to have a conversation or join calls for your creative pursuit, the public part of the library is open at the same times.

7. The Reading Rooms at Wellcome Collection, Euston

The Wellcome Collection is truly one of our favourite places in London and something of an unsung hero. There is always a thought-provoking exhibition on and the reading room here is joyous, all brightly coloured and relaxed. We really recommend checking it out, particularly on a Thursday when the building stays open until 20:00.

8. Mare Street Market, Hackney

Mare Street Market makes the cut because it's huge, beautifully decorated and laptop-friendly most of the time. It's a great option if you're looking for a creative London venue you can work for a couple of hours mid-week over some delicious food and drink. Also, on a nice day it's a decent option for working outside due to its pergola exterior and ample seating.
Not to be confused with the nearby Ridley Road Bar, the social club is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it community space located at the foot of the market. It's a very chilled out place with a record shop, kitchen and a roster of community events from chess to painting. The only thing about this venue is they're a bit of an enigma when it comes to information, so it's best to visit and see for yourself.

10. BookBar, Finsbury Park

A book shop and bar is surely a match made in heaven for a creative pursuit? Home to books, drinks and a slew of literary events, this gorgeous space is more a place to dream and scheme than complete a deadline.

More London creative recommendations

  • Sick of wfh and cafe hopping? Drop In is a cool, close-knit and affordable co-working space in Clapton that allows you to do deep work while having the best work/life balance possible. Monthly passes start from £90 and you can try before you buy with a free trial. The Founders are ex-We Work so really know their stuff!

  • And Co is a £20 monthly subscription that gives you access to heaps of London creative spaces that would otherwise be empty and often includes delicious coffee too. At the time of writing, East London venues: The Cat and Mutton, Mama Shelter and Kraft in Dalston are all part of the And Co subscription. 

  • Write and a Pint offers fun workshops where you can write on the theme organiser Sean selects and enjoy lunch and a pint included with the price. You also get a miniature paperback to take home. It's the most collaborative writing event we've been to in London and good value for money.

  • Writing at The Laundrette. Saturday morning collaborative, quiet writing at this family-laundrette turned coffee roasters in Angel. Fellow creative writer and former Chapel Market Roastery owner, Sinem leads the events.