The Weekend Party Pop-Up: Where to Find Street Food, Cocktails and Live Music in Shoreditch

Fluid London’s Sophie Marie Atkinskon discovers that East London car parks can actually be quite nice places for chilling when it’s chilly. 

Hanging out in car parks has officially become cool. This winter’s hottest hangout is Night Tales, the pop-up cocktail, music and food party in Shoreditch, East London.  

 After a summer stint, the crew have returned to warm our cockles, and this time they're taking over a vast (10,000 sq/ft) car park every Friday and Saturday for a seven-week run. The space has been transformed into a winter haven, featuring wild gardens, wood fires, private chalets, three bars and a huge stretch canopy to protect you from the elements.

There’s also enticing and inventive cocktails to be supped – take your pick from espresso martinis, whiskey cocktails and mulled drinks – and the finest street food to be sampled.

During the seven-week run, guest teams include Patty and Bun, purveyors of Caribbean fare Rum Kitchen, Yum Bun, Popdogs, Monty and Bob’s – famed for their grilled cheese – and Randy’s, who serve up the very best in wings (make sure you try the buffalo shrimp).  

And food isn’t the only thing on the menu: music is provided by a top team of house, disco, funk and techno selectors (including Bill Brewster, Frank Broughton and the Black Butter Records crew) so you can dance off all those calories.  

From 6pm – midnight every Friday and Saturday in November, and then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 20 December. Entry costs £4. 288-299 Old Street, EC1V 9DP