Limehouse

Limehouse used to be London's first Chinatown. The area got an exaggeratedly bad reputation as hosting opium dens. Nowadays there is a large basin that connects the river Lee, Regent's Canal and the Thames. There are modern houses and fancy boats all around the basin. The riverside is really nice and there are some great pubs as well. Limehouse has recently gotten cooler with artistic people living in the area and creating an atmosphere for interesting places.

Drinking:

• The Grapes is one of the oldest riverside pubs in London. The lighting downstairs is dim and there's an atmospere of old speakeazies. It has hosted visitors from Charles Dickens to Oscar Wilde. It is currently owned by Sir Ian McKellen. There is quite a fancy menu, but the pub is a nice place for a pint. There is a great view to the river from the balcony.

Walks:

• Limehouse is a good starting place or ending place for walks. It's the starting or ending point for River Lee and Regent's Canal and the sights on the Thames are magnificent around here. 

 Entertainment:

•  Troxy is a music hall that looks really camp. It looks like one of those 60's or 70's venues that were made to look like Hollywood movie theatres, but that were in the 80's and 90's turned into bingo halls. Anyway, Troxy is now back in action. They have medium sized bands performing there with emphasis on indie acts.
• Jamboree is a great small venue for a variety of musical nights. They host jazz bands, world music evenings and eccentric club nights. The place looks great with Bohemian style artsy decor. The entrance is quite hidden in a fenced yard.

Areas around Limehouse: Wapping, Shadwell, Isle of Dogs, Mile End, Poplar