The days are ticking away to Check In weekend at Chapter Aldgate, and we’re looking forward to having you! So you can really get the most out of your time here, here’s our local recommendations for Aldgate and it’s nearby attractions.

For a Caffeine Fix – Benugo

You know you’ve got it good when you don’t even need to leave the front door for quality coffee. Right on the doorstep of Chapter Aldgate, Benugo is the perfect place for that morning cuppa. Also there’s a great bar out the back – grab yourself a beer and one of their wood fired pizzas.

For Sweet Treats – Nosteagia

Even by Shoreditch’s standards, Nosteagia is pretty out there. They serve a ‘Bubble waffle’, a sweet puffed cone with all sorts of crazy toppings. The ‘Mr. Oreo’ comes stuffed with Nutella, chocolate chips, cream and an Oreo cookie on top – stupidly decadent but absolutely delicious. They also do a top selection of authentic Taiwanese bubble tea.

For a Photo Op – Colombia Road flower market

From 8 til’ 3ish every Sunday, you can come walk amongst all manner of foliage, from ten-foot banana trees to the teeniest house plant. We recommend an early start, so you can snap some shots before the crowds arrive. This is also an easy place to get started with personalising your student accommodation – a couple of plants will increase your well-being and improve air quality. For the forgetful amongst you, go for a cactus – they’ll last for months in between being watered.

For a Tasty Beverage – The Oliver Conquest

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world … you moved in just up the road. The Oliver Conquest has over 300 gins behind the bar, and half the fun is just picking one out from the crazy menu. This lovely little pub has fantastic atmosphere, and the bar staff are more than happy to help if you’re a gin novice.

For a Chance to Dance – Queen of Hoxton

As well as boasting one of the liveliest rooftop terraces in central London, there’s also an amazing underground nightclub at this spot. Funk, house, hip-hop, electro – all bases are covered on different nights. If you like your nightclubs dark, loud and sweaty, you need to make this a regular.

For the Culture-Vultures – Whitechapel Gallery

This historic building has showcased world class artists such as Picasso and Pollock for over a century. There’s a constant rotation of new exhibitions, displaying work from world renown names as well as up-and-comers. With a lot of the options being free-entry, it’s a great place to go and soak up some culture.

For Live Music – The Old Blue Last

This Shoreditch pub is owned by Vice magazine, and puts on top underground bands and DJs 7 nights a week. A lot of the time the gigs are free entry, so it’s the best place to discover your new favourite band. And if the one playing isn’t your cup of tea, head upstairs for a drink in the bar and wait for the next one.

For Food on the Go – Brick Lane Beigel Bake

24/7 bagels. It’s as simple as that. Keep it traditional with what made this place so iconic: their classic bagel with the hot salt beef. Just as tasty in the morning on your way to uni as it is stumbling out of a Shoreditch nightclub at 4 Am, we guarantee that this will not be a one-time visit.

Chapter Aldgate is in one of the most vibrant areas of the city, and this is just a tiny fraction of what’s out there. Please tell us about any gems you discover in our 2017/18 residents Facebook group, which you can join here.