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    Rough Trade

    4.1 (76 reviews)
    ModerateMusic & DVDs
    Closed 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

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    Monica R.

    This is the temple of all things indie! Rough Trade was created by Geoff Travis, a genius that began the Rough Trade name with a little shop and then made it the coolest record label for post punk and alternative rock, one of my favorite bands, The Smiths, where signed by him. Anyway, thought id give you some background on why I love this shop so much. Even if you are not a complete connoisseur of music, you can have a great time there, as they review each cd they sell, giving you references of the artist and where they are comming from, its as if they take you in a musical journey without feeling left out. They have listening stations, very helpful staff and a little cafe.

    shop front
    Felix W.

    Straight up, nothing comes close to the ambiance of the original Rough Trade records, pioneering music shop just of Portobello Road. And they couldn't have picked a more suitable location for a desperately trendy Rough Trade 'East' now, could they? It's a really good record shop. The staff (who must have the most stringent music test before they're even allowed behind the counter) all write mini-reviews which are put on the CD cases, these are very very good. There's a good stock of vinyl which is nice to see, music publications, magazines and books. I'm not so keen on the cafe section - arty seating, art on the walls, expensive smoothies line the fridge (I mean FRIDGE!?!!! in a record shop!?!??!? WTF?) but they've got a big space to fill. Maybe it gets well used. If you want to see what a classic record shop looks like, then the original is probably still the best. But if you want to be pleasantly surprised by some Angolese Baile Funk or some obscure early Pavement E.P., just ask at the counter, 'cause they probably stock it.

    Catherine H.

    Rough trade is the epitome of independent music lovers. There are vinyl records overflowing in this place. This is not only a shop, but also a meeting point or local hang-out for the music lovers. There are internet access points, wifi, lots of seating and a coffee bar. The music choice is eclectic and their speakers are often blaring with the music everyone should be listening to. A clear rival to clubs actually, it also hosts some live gigs and sponsored parties once in a while. They also sell some good band t-shirts, although these are best for men. I have found these rather handy to give as gifts to my male friends. The staff is usually quite helpful, although perhaps a bit arrogant at times, but then they can probably afford to be so it's all good.

    Portion of of photo booth picture
    Jessica G.

    We visited London in Sept 2017, so this review is well overdue. Brick Lane is an eclectic street. The Indian food cannot be beat! If you're in the area though, stop by to Rough Trade. They have an extensive collection of vinyl records, in addition to a working photo booth, and fun and quirky (often locally published) books. So much fun!

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    Review Highlights - Rough Trade

    There are lots of seats to chill at making it very sociable - the key for modern record stores (see Phonica).

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    City Chorus

    City Chorus

    5.0(1 review)
    0.9 miThe City

    The City Chorus (formely known as National Westminster Choir) began life in 1920 as a choir set up…read moreby staff of the then National Provincial Bank. Highlights of the choir's early years include its inaugural performance at Westminster Central Hall, Ralph Vaughan Williams conducting his own Fantasia on Christmas Carols, and one of the choir's concerts shown on television - a novelty at the time. In 1966 the choir appointed its first professional conductor, Ian Humphris, who led the choir for 40 years. NatWest Bank - now part of the Royal Bank of Scotland - has subsequently provided much-appreciated support throughout the years. Michael Downes conducted the choir from 2006 until his appointment as Director of Music at St Andrew's University, followed by Paul Ayres as musical director from 2008. City Chorus has performed in many beautiful churches in the City and West End, and at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the newly-renovated Cadogan Hall, Barbican Centre and Southwark Cathedral. The choir is delighted to be accompanied at rehearsals and concerts by Philip Shannon, staff pianist at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Recent performances have raised money for The Prince's Trust, the NSPCC and the Rainbow Trust. For more information or to join or to hire the choir, http://www.londoncitychorus.com or contact our Membership Secretary Rosie: membership@londoncitychorus.com . Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays, 6.15-8.15 pm at the NatWest building, 1 Princes Street, right next to Bank station (Exit 1).

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    City Chorus
    City Chorus - Choir

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    Choir

    Borough Studios

    Borough Studios

    3.0(3 reviews)
    1.7 miBorough
    £££

    Depending on what you want from this place, you could either rate it 5 stars or 0 stars (for my…read moreuses, definitely 5 stars). I can only comment on the rehearsal facilities as I've never used the full studio. Pro: Excellent central location. Very reasonable rates, especially for such a central location. By studio standards, they take care to keep the place clean and in working order. No extra hire charge for little things they have lying around to squeeze more money out of you like many other similar places (though have recently started charging for drumkit breakables). Most backline is included in the price. Good quality equipment, suitable for each room. Whenever there's an equipment failure, they turn it around quickly to get it repaired. Friendly (if slightly odd) staff who evidently care about the place. Good for getting cancellation slots, they verify each booking the day before to make available any last minute cancellations. Air con units in each room. Often can get a midweek booking 1-2 weeks in advance, not just some inpenetrable list that you can never get in on. Organised calendar booking system that means they've never lost a single booking of ours in the years we've been using them. Cons: Paper thin walls which make anything without a drumkit not worthwhile. Pointless trying to record something yourself in the room with so much background noise. Bad ventilation, so the rooms can get a bit smelly. Keyboard stands provided have seen better days.

    Used this studio to jam in earlier this week - the equipment and acoustics were good and we could…read moreeach hear ourselves nice and clearly, but the staff weren't overly friendly and there is a four hour minimum hire time so it can add up to be a bit pricey if you just wanted a couple of hours! Great location. Did have to pay a bit extra for drum kit cymbals which is understandable but a bit annoying... Overall, quite happy!

    Freedom Press - Freedom

    Freedom Press

    4.0(3 reviews)
    0.3 miWhitechapel, Shoreditch
    ££

    Maybe if I had been Che Guevara, Karl Marx or Fidel Castro in a past life instead of a pretty,…read morepretty butterfly, I would have like this bookstore more than I did. You ask, "You were a pretty, pretty butterfly?" And, you ask: "Fidel Castro probably isn't dead, but you were him in a past life anyway?" To which I respond "Hot Jacket Potatoes!" Freedom press has the benefit of a great location. It's down some pedestrian alleyway which gives the store an air of the secret and unknown. "Oh la la," you think as you walk to it. Inside, however, was not my cup of perfect tea (although there were a few real cups sitting around the store. Also, my perfect cup of tea is a full bodied orange spice from Seattle Washington). There were different sections - history, science fiction, biographies, sociological stuff, etc. but all revolving around the theme of fancy dress parties - and by that I mean anarchy and revolution! This bookstore would be your reading list if you took a class named Social Uprising and Revolt 101 and beyond. I guess some of the books would be pretty interesting, but I'd have to read them to find out for sure. There's also a section with anarchist-like clothes (mostly t-shirts) with designs such as the Queen's head over the crossbones of a skull and crossbones. I thought that was pretty amusing. If you're feeling rebellious or if you like defying authority, you should probably check this place out. It's not for me, but it maybe for you because as we all know, I say tomato and you say tomato.

    Well, this is the oldest anarchist publisher in the world. Britain's oldest anarchist book shop…read more What more can I say? I've only been once, last week, and I loved it. Amazing place. Maybe that's 'cause I'm politically interested. And it's true, they do stock mainly anarchist literature, but also a mean line in pamphlets, magazines, and general anarchist publications. It's really worth visiting, tucked innocently off Angel Alley (something of the Harry Potter, eh?) and up a flight of stairs which it appears hasn't been renovated since this place opened (all the better for it in my opinion), it's basically crammed full of really interesting books on politics and the ways of the world. In their magazine section, they had a title called Mao or Never, which claimed to be the only Maoist publication in Britain to boast a colour cover. That's a really fun joke if you're in these circles, thing was mocked up! The staff, too, are really nice. I had a request for a really obscure book, they looked, couldn't find it and were really apologetic. So, if you're passing the KFC on Whitechapel High Street, come in here for a browse. I bet there's at least one book which you'd like to take home.

    Rough Trade - musicvideo - Updated May 2026

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