Living in Brixton - SW2

Your guide to moving to Brixton

Why Brixton is a good place to live

If you love a buzzy vibe with lots of energy and plenty of stuff to do, then Brixton in South London is where it's at.

Few London towns can offer more choice when it comes to dining out, enjoying evening drinks or dancing the night away.

Brixton Village plays host to over 100 independent traders whose restaurants, boutiques, fruit and veg, meat, fish and international food shops are a foodie and shopper's dream.

It's a great place to hang out with a lively atmosphere and is popular with the locals. Brimming with menus from around the world, you're truly spoilt for choice here.

The Department Store in Brixton is well worth a visit for lunch, dinner or cocktails. On the ground floor, Canova Hall serves drinks and pizzas, while on the top floor, there's a members' bar and restaurant: Upstairs Brixton.

And the cultural scene here is excellent.

The much loved Brixton Ritzy arts cinema doesn't just screen excellent films, it showcases live theatre and opera from stages around the world, alongside independent and classic superhero movies.

It also offers places to eat, meet and relax, while hosting a busy calendar of events for everyone to explore.

Brixton's art scene is incredible. It has so many colourful murals and graffiti works of art that strolling through streets is like taking a tour through an al fresco art gallery.

Meanwhile for indoor appreciation, Brixton Art Gallery provides a focal point for the development of new and challenging British multicultural art in Lambeth and across the capital.

Brixton Tate Library, one of the first free libraries in London, resides in a beautiful Grade II listed building and offers a huge selection of children and adult books, as well as being a community hub and popular working space.

And musically, Brixton has it all. Whether you're after chilled-out rooftop parties or all-night mega clubbing sessions (more on this later), you'll find your favourite beats here.

What's Brixton famous for?

Brixton is a bohemian, multicultural neighbourhood bursting with music, arts, food and culture.

With incredible street art and murals (the David Bowie image on the walkway adjacent to Tunstall Walk became iconic at the time of his death) a tour of Brixton's streets is a must. And the legendary man himself was born here.

Brixton also has a prison with a restaurant. Staffed by prisoners and open to the public, The Clink Restaurant at Her Majesty's Prison, Brixton, serves a delicious menu in a stylish dining room that could rival any West End restaurant.

Electric Avenue, so called because it was the first shopping street in London to be lit by electric lights, was also made famous by Eddy Grant's 1983 chart-topping hit of the same name.

Things to do in Brixton

What isn't there to do in Brixton?

With a red-hot music scene and a dining circuit that's practically unrivalled across London for it's range and diversity, Brixton is a fantastic place to enjoy a night out.

The Electric club hosts epic all-nighters featuring big name acts and DJs across all music genres.

Brixton Jamm showcases everything from hip-hop to house, UKG to DnB, live bands to international DJs, with a heavy-hitting roster of eclectic party brands on rotation every month.

And the multi-floored bar and club the Prince of Wales has arguably the best terrace bar in London. It plays hosts to loose funk, house, soul, disco and hip hop, featuring various house and techno legends. Big name selectors, including Gilles Peterson, Norman Jay and Joey Negro, can be found spinning party jams on any given weekend.

Brixton’s cHIP sHOP at the junction of Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane also hosts regular events, including a special series of shows celebrating hip hop and featuring MOBO Award-winning rappers.

And the Brixton Academy, which is preparing a timeline to reopen soon, hosts some of the world's most esteemed artists.

For dining out, there's Brixton Village and Market and a whole world of top notch eateries with far too many to mention here.

But for a special night out, it's worth heading down to The Laundry, Naughty Piglets or Llewelyn's.

For a great Caribbean meal head to Negril on Brixton Hill, for Trinidadian fayre, Fish, Wings & Tings is where it's at, while Okan in Brixton Market does great Japanese dishes.

Finally if you love to shop, Brixton high street has regular big name faves including H&M, M&S, New Look, as well as beautiful boutique finds including Trouva, The Atelier, White Feather, Leona Vintage and The Keep.