Craft Metropolis, Brixton London
Small alley, big vibes
Blink and you’ll miss it, Craft Metropolis is a hard-to-find and hard-to-leave spot that channels all of the cool understated London microbreweries have finessed over recent years.
This private little Loughborough Junction spot is well hidden, down a single-file alley off the otherwise unremarkable Hinton Road. Travel up the tiny passageway right under the train line and duck into Craft Metropolis’s arch which makes clever use of space to create a compact microbrewery and taproom.
Dark and fresh inside, you’re met with the bar upon entry from which you collect your incredibly delicious brew, before heading up the stairs and onto the mezzanine level placed above the brewing zone. Up here a large window in the back arch allows light to seep in over the tables, and otherwise darkly painted room.
A screen hung above the door creates an almost cinema-like sport-watching environment up on the top deck, with rugby matches beamed onto it for the big games. As the image in this guide will show, this is a hard spot to stumble across by accident but is well worth making the effort to find, especially when you keep in mind its sizeable selection of refrigerated cans you can available takeaway.
This is a spot that exists in the half spaces, the kind of venue that leaves you amazed someone has managed to fit such a big operation into such a small space, the kinds of place that make living in a great city so rewarding -- when you find it.
About this spot
Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.
Cool place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in London
Strawberry Hill House – London’s Gothic castle
Walpole spent most of his life transforming the building into his own ‘little Gothic castle’, with battlements, arched doorways and stained glass windows.
By
Madeline
Gowers
Fitzrovia Chapel – An architectural masterpiece
Aside from its compelling history, what really sets Fitzrovia Chapel apart is its extraordinary gold mosaic ceiling. So don't forget to look up!
By
Madeline
Gowers
London Review Bookshop – A must for book lovers
Twice a week, all the tables are pushed to one side, and the bookshop is transformed into an intimate venue for author talks, film screenings and debates.
By
Madeline
Gowers
Book 28 Library – A tiny queer utopia
What really sets Book 28 apart, is their commitment to sourcing intersectional literature that would be unlikely to appear in your average public library.
By
Madeline
Gowers
Woburn Walk – A taste of Regency London
Designed in 1822 by Thomas Cubitt (the architect behind large parts of Belgravia & Pimlico), Woburn Walk retains many of its original Georgian shopfronts.
By
Madeline
Gowers
Alba Caffè – A taste of the Mediterranean
Savour your food, indulge in good conversation and when you’ve scraped your plate clean, go out onto the patio for a long, drawn-out coffee in the sun.
By
Madeline
Gowers
Naroon – Authentic Persian food
Everything I’ve tried in this restaurant is delicious and plentiful. I love the bread, the dips and I can guarantee that their saffron rice is to die for!
By
Angelina
Ivanova
Redemption Roasters – Coffee with a cause
I immediately fell in love with Redemption Roasters for their strong mission, big social impact, and great coffee of course. Plus an excellent brunch menu!
By
Angelina
Ivanova
Love Walk Cafe – Fancy fry-up
"Love Walk Cafe" in South London's Camberwell: a friendly cafe in line with the neighbourhood around it. I would recommend their quality English breakfast.
By