A Bluffers Guide: Dating in East London is all about trendy restaurants, cool bars and possibly a noisy gig, right? Wrong. Before the nights draw in why not take a date on a walking tour with Alternative London and discover the city’s hidden side, as well as each other’s? Each other’s interests, that is, not their hidden anything else. Although, if the date goes well…?
Sounds fun, what’s the deal?
Alternative London’s walks are designed as an alternative – hence the name! – to dreary standard walking tours. Specifically they show off the street art scene. “We’re East London specialists,” they explain. “All of our guides live locally and are either well known street artists or actively involved in the creative community. Our inside knowledge and passion for the area and its creative scene is second to none.” So you’ll be taken down the history-soaked byways of the old East End by somebody who could be the actual next Banksy. Make sure you got their number – that stuff could be worth a fortune.
The best way to a second date is via an interesting first date, no?
The Alternative London tour is billed as “the London you don’t get in the guidebooks” as well as “exploring the past and present of the capital’s cultural hub.” So you’ll get a history and context as well as psychedelic imagery – imagine how impressed your date will be. This is WAY more interesting than choosing whether to get them popcorn with that cinema ticket.
Alternative London also offer street art workshops, East End pub tours and digital photography workshops alongside the walking tour which promises “some of the world’s finest street art by Banksy, ROA, Shepard Fairey, Jimmy C, Invader, Stik and many many more.” Suggest two hour wander through creative London and you’ll look a mixture of cool, cultural and a little bit edgy. You’re welcome.
What if it’s raining though?
Waterproofs, dear friend. You should know better than to go anywhere in London without a brolly. And of course there is the marvelous innovation known as pubs – Shoreditch and Old Street are full of fantastic secluded drinking joints where you and your date can discuss weighty philosophical matters over local brews (Alternative London also run a pub tour if you’re that way inclined)
Where and when? I want to book!
Intriguingly, though you pay in advance for Alternative London’s other tours, the Walking Tour is “pay what you like”. Yep, you decide what to pay. Head to alternativeldn.co.uk for more details and to book a slot – and then pay what you think the walk was worth at the end. It’s a clever move on their part. Who wants to look cheap in front of friends, or dates? And it also shows how confident they are that you’ll love what they show you.
So get your map out to plan the rest of the date once the walk is over. Could be some arty market browsing, the innovative BoxPark food and clothes complex, an old-fashioned pub or trendy restaurant. If your date’s let you choose the walk, let them choose the next step. Hopefully arm in arm…
Don’t say: “I need some money. Is that an actual cash machine or a Banksy of one?”
Do say: “Mine’s a pint of Hoxton Superstar Triple Chocolate IPA – and so’s yours.”
Image: X-ray bird, ThinkStock
