How much fun can you have in an old car park? Well, if that car park is Peckham Levels, then the answer is – lots! In fact, your biggest problem will be trying to remember the fun the following morning.
The Levels, an old multi-storey car park has been transformed into a hub of bars, eateries, and happening activities. On our last visit (as a bonus) it also featured a beer festival. What’s not to love!
Beers aside, we moved on to cocktails in the crowded ‘Near and Far’ bar. With ‘Benedict Cucumberpatch’ and ‘Coconut Rim’ in hand, we sat by the window with views towards The Shard.
In summer months Frank’s Bar opens on the rooftop. On warm evenings this is the place to be, the views are spectacular and the clientele can be many hundreds strong.
For food, you’re also spoilt for choice. The Levels has a host of outlets offering great grub. Of particular note are the really yummy Zephyr burgers.
If you’re lucky, they’ll be a band playing live. The performance space cleverly uses the old car parks sloping exit ramp to create its auditorium. Scattered cushions also make this a comfy place to perch with beer and food in hand.
To the front of the Levels is Peckhamplex cinema, a throwback to the days when cinemas weren’t all corporate multiplexes. Instead, it’s tired, slightly grubby, dead cheap, and a riot of fun. There aren’t many places where you can see a film for a fiver, so this joint is to be applauded and attended.
Peckham high street itself is a bustling multicultural place, with a variety of shops and market stalls.
One eatery not to be missed (yet not so easily found), is Yada’s. This Kurdish restaurant offers great food, at low prices, in a yard-like setting. Servings are large, tasty, plus the BYOB (with no corkage charge) helps keep the price down.
A few hundred yards to the south, you’ll find the entrance to the Bussey Building. This community hub / arts venue is reached down an easily missed narrow alley. As the alley opens out you’re greeted by exquisite wall murals.
The Bussey can be something of a rabbit warren, so be prepared to explore. The most notable art venue is the Copeland Gallery. This white-walled, partially partitioned industrial space is home to an ever-changing variety of free arts events. If you’re in the area it’s definitely worth popping in.
The CLF Art Cafe is near the Copeland, and is itself a multilevel warehouse space. Open weekday evenings and from noon at the weekend, the CLF stages cabaret, live music, theatre, and art.
Surmounting the building you’ll find the Bussey Rooftop Bar, which is great in the evening for cocktails. It has a cool vibe and fab views. The only downside is that the queues to get served can be lengthy.
Also on the rooftop (the name rather gives it away), is the Rooftop Film Club. Which, you guessed it, is a cinema. Weather permitting this is a fun place to watch a film in the evenings. The deckchairs are cool, but if they get too cool then warm blankets are also available. The downside to this highlife is the flights of stairs which need to be climbed to get there. At least there’s a bar to help reward your efforts!
Outside in the courtyard, you’ll find Social, a busy and friendly bar with a nice atmosphere. This is a great place to rest those weary feet, wet those taste buds, and to give your stomach a treat. Service is prompt and friendly. The sweet potato fries, bedecked with sesame seeds are particularly good. Equally good is the flatbread with hummus. The beers are a little expensive, but the venue makes it worthwhile.
Also in the courtyard is Kanpai, London’s first sake brewery and taproom. With its winning combination of excellent craft-beers and brewed on-site sake, Kanpai deserves to prosper and grow.
Should you need to quench that thirst yet further, then you could do a lot worse than the following:
- Four Quarters bar is a quirky craft-beer joint, with the added bonus of a host of cheap retro gaming machines
- The Gowlett Arms has a winning combination of beers and pizza
- The Prince of Peckham is a traditional boozer at any time of day, which also does great food
- The Hope, a cosy and atmospheric pub full of books and great beer
- The Rye is a somewhat countrified bistro pub with a good range of food
- The Old Nun’s Head is a traditional pub a little way off the main drag. Your walk will be rewarded with good pub fare in a friendly environment. Whilst in the vicinity, you should also try Burger Bear, for some of the best burgers in London!
There’s far more to Peckham that the few personal favourites mentioned above – so get out and explore this often overlooked part of London. You won’t be disappointed!
