Like many of London’s old structures, if you walk past this red brick building right next to the modern offices on Principal Place in Shoreditch, you’ll know it has a story to tell. The beautiful Victorian building, which now houses an independent bar and eatery offering elaborate food and drink with Southeast Asian influences to fuel hungry Londoners, fueled far more than a handful of bodies.
This unique bar is housed in an old Victorian power station built in 1893. Originally the Great Eastern Electric Light Generating Station, it housed Colonel REB Crompton’s famous electric engines and is the only remaining power station of its kind in the UK.
Unlike the coal-fired Battersea Power Station, this was electric. The building, initially known as Norton Folgate Power Station, played a pioneering role in the development of electric power.
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From 1900, Shoreditch used it as inspiration for its motto “More Light, More Power”. It generated the first electric light for Liverpool Street Station, the Great Eastern Hotel and later Bishopsgate Goodsyard until 1932.
Although its chimney was demolished in 1934 and the generator equipment removed, it was revived in 2000 as a nightclub. It was the first power station to be turned into a bar.
In the early 2000s, it was a hotspot, with queues around the block every weekend. But despite its success and historical significance, the building faced demolition in 2012. Thankfully, thousands of locals and many celebrities fought to save it. Although they managed to protect the building, the site still closed its doors in March 2014.
Thanks to the efforts of the original team, the building is now part of Hackney’s Shoreditch Conservation Area. This protection ensures that its historic value is preserved regardless of what happens to the premises it houses.
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In 2021, the team behind The Light Bar stepped in and brought it back to life. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, it offers contemporary cuisine using seasonal produce from local suppliers and a drinks list from quality producers, over three floors.
I tried their cocktails, and the “To the East” is a highlight, with 15 ELLC gin, plum sake, peach liqueur, lime and lemonade. They also have a menu dedicated to innovative Margaritas, like a spicy mango and a strawberry and basil.
I also tasted some of their food, starting with the fried oyster mushrooms and spicy Padron pepper. The tofu and ginger sauce on the mushroom was great, although I felt the mushroom could be thicker. The peppers were nicely charred, but a little too spicy for my taste.
The standout dishes for me were the creamy fresh burrata with nutbourne tomatoes and the homemade flatbread. I spread their truffle and warm honey butter on the bread, and it was the best thing I’ve ever tasted!
Light Bar in Shoreditch combines rich history with innovative dishes and cocktails, making it a must-visit. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the chance to experience this unique mix of old and new.
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