DreamBags JaguarShoes Bar / Lounge / Restaurant

Shoreditch / Brick Lane, London –

Part art gallery and part hipster lounge, the mercurial DreamBags JaguarShoes is a classic Shoreditch hangout where art lovers gather to bond with grungy music types over a few pints of beer and slices of pizza.

Taking its quirky name from the original neighboring storefronts – Dream Bags and Jaguar Shoes – the now connected space retains its schizoid vibe by featuring an ever-changing décor courtesy of talented artists who re-do the place from head to toe every few weeks.

Despite the change in look, however, the creative patrons can always depend on the launch of new art installations, which take place the first Thursday of every other month and turn the high-ceilinged showroom into an urban art loft swarming with appreciative fans eager to learn more about the artist and his or her concept.

Those who have had their fill of pizza and art viewing can slip down to the bar’s dark underbelly to lounge on duct-taped vinyl couches, chat in candlelit corners, or just sway to the indie music.

Though the makeshift dance space doesn’t see much action and the scene never gets too rowdy, DreamBags JaguarShoes is packed to the rafters on Saturdays and has made a name for being a bit off-the wall, especially since what’s on the walls is forever changing.