Ten Tricks to have up your sleeve in East London:

East London is a pretty mythical place, everybody including your granny has an opinion about it. Whether it’s the ‘new trendy part of town,’ ‘completely past it’ or just full of ‘super annoying hipsters’ this evolving scene didn't start five years ago with a couple of cocktail joints and an exponential growth of beards. This cultural shift has been in the process for over 30 years and every local has an opinion. Here’s a couple of tricks to prepare you for the cultural intoxication of this part of town:

 1) Always barter on Brick Lane.

Brick Lane is home to some of the City’s best Curry Houses. In spite of the numbers dwindling in the past 10 years,there are still 30+ restaurants on half a mile strip. In terms of favourites, everyone has an opinion (ahem, Eastern Eye) but as a rule, the best ones fill up first. Always haggle on the street as there are deals to be had from the supreme salesmen in front of their restaurants. Free poppadoms, wine or just a straight up 20% off the bill are commonplace. So, whatever you do don’t sit down until you at least secured a complimentary Cobra beer to wash down your Chicken Dansak and Naan.

2) Don’t get to Columbia Flower Market (open Sundays) before 2pm.

I guess this is a little controversial… I should add ‘unless you (really) like flowers’ in which case you should get there for 8am. If, however, you're really just after that perfect #nofilter shot for Instagram, I would say 2pm is perfect. Leaving you time to roll out of bed after your Saturday night, drag yourself to the market, pick up some Pussy Willow and prance into the Birdcage Pub for a Bloody Mary.

3) Bacon sarnies on Broadway Market are worth the trek.

 Whatever your politics on gentrification, I challenge you not be taken in with the Saturday morning scene on Broadway Market. Start with THE best bacon sandwich known to man from Le Swine and then meander through the stalls stopping for salted caramel brownies, smelly French cheese and a flash new pair of swimming trunks - basically all the essentials.

4) Know where to people-watch.

 A trip to East London would not be complete without at least a 45-minute interlude of dedicated people-watching. There are many notorious hot spots to catch some of fashion's highest highs and lowest lows. Redchurch Street is always a safe bet, enjoy a cappuccino at the Albion Cafe especially situated to catch people rolling in and out of super cool members club Shoreditch House.

5) How to pick a restaurant - pick them all.

 Fine Dining is not really a thing in the East London Bubble… sure you can eat well - I mean really well but starched white tablecloths are few and far between. Picking a restaurant can be the most stressful part of any evening especially if you’re a group and especially if you haven’t booked (argh NIGHTMARE). Dinerama offers a the solution to this conundrum… an indoor street food arena running every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night showcasing some of the best casual food in the city.

6) I know this great little place…

Wilton’s Music Hall - this is a little gem of East London's history which has kept itself relevant year on year. Built behind a row of 1730s houses, it is the world's oldest surviving grand music hall and still in use as a performance space. There are history tours, craft evenings and mad, bad Saturday nights to cater to all sensibilities.

     7) For when the weather gods are good to us.

The Olympic Park. On a sunny summer day it feels like an idyllic haven of 650 acres of green and pleasant land. I’d recommend taking a bike and cruising around the arenas made famous by the 2012 games, followed by a gin and tonic in a can and a basking in the afternoon heat of the day. For the other 260 days of the year, the swimming pool is amazing value and you can share the same water as Tom Daley, splish splash.

8) Where to go when it rains.

One easy option when the bike tours and walking tours are out of the question, is shopping. There’s a ton of it to be had but you’ll struggle to find a Topshop. East London is a plethora of random shops… whether it’s an obscure Swedish brand or the oddest gift shops. Boxpark is a sure fire bet - a collection of small shops in a series of shipping containers, this encapsulates the Shoreditch dream! Expect some high-street brands repositioning themselves as ‘down with the kids’ (GAP and Estee Lauder) alongside some interesting independents. It’s a good spot for gifts.

9) Somewhere to take people who think they've seen it all.

Well for all your connoisseurs this is hardly ground-breaking, but for those who don’t eat, smoke and breathe the East London scene Hackney Wick is a journey to the unknown. They (as in our spiritual elders) say that ten years ago it was a swamp land of industrial warehouses and strange people. Ten years later it's still the same but with an introduction of GREAT bars, studios and food. There’s a theatre, nightclub and an overall feeling of wild savageness. Thanks to its affordable rent (by London standards), there's an air of innovation and experimentation to the neighbourhood, making it certainly worth the adventure.

10) Art Trial.

I should be given a medal for so far avoiding the S word. But here we go, coming in at number ten you should definitely learn a little about your street-art as your grand finale of East London finesse. Impress your friends with your knowledge of 'bombers' and 'tags’ and casually point out artist Ben A's piece on Alphabet Street, newly named in his honour. Or, take them directly to the world-famous Banksy piece on Pollard Street in  Bethnal Green. Be sure to look up and around wherever you are in the East, as artists often work during the day you may spot a piece in the making.

Why not stay the night... 

If you’re tempted to live this all for yourself why not book our epic ‘Bed, Flicks and Chill’ package at the Andaz London because after a day in the action you’re going to need some quality down time. Prices start from ￡189 per room per night and include unlimited movies, popcorn and a bottle of prosecco. Party starts here!