Opened in 1866, Shoreditch Town Hall in London’s East End wears its Grade II-listed grandeur in Corinthian columns and marble panelling. But behind the finery lies a rather grittier history. In 1888, it hosted the inquest into the death of Mary Jane Kelly, Jack the Ripper’s last canonical victim. Decades later, the Kray twins held card games in the men’s toilet antechamber—handily placed to let players scatter into the cubicles if the police arrived.
The hall has a couple of screen credits to its name, too—playing Donny’s drama school in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer.
Today, the drama at Shoreditch Town Hall takes a rather different form. On selected dates, the venue is hosting Candlelight concerts and The Jury Experience. Expect live music surrounded by thousands of candles—or an interactive trial where you’ll swap the role of spectator for juror and help decide the outcome.
The fascinating history behind Shoreditch Town Hall
Shoreditch Town Hall’s history stretches well beyond council business, clandestine card games and a notorious inquest.
Its motto, “More Light, More Power” appears throughout the venue, celebrating a pioneering local scheme launched in 1897 that turned burning rubbish into electricity for street lighting. The hall also witnessed the struggle for political change: in 1913, suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested here. Fast forward to 1955, and a boxing match broadcast from the town hall featured in ITV’s very first evening of programming.
What can you do at Shoreditch Town Hall?
Nowadays, Shoreditch Town Hall is primarily an arts and events venue. You can catch theatre shows, cabaret performances, dance productions and “The Town Hall Tea Dances”, where attendees enjoy a spot of tea while practicing their moves. It’s also a popular wedding venue in London thanks to its range of varied spaces and gorgeous interiors (particularly the Italian marble panelling and sweeping balcony).
Shoreditch Town Hall is also opening its doors to the Candlelight series, with live concerts celebrating everything from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to the anthems of Queen and more. But the atmosphere isn’t always so serene: The Jury Experience puts audiences in the juror’s seat, weighing up evidence and testimony before voting on the outcome of a fictional trial. It’s an intriguing new chapter for a building that once hosted the inquest into the death of Jack the Ripper’s last canonical victim.
18 December 2026 18:00
Shoreditch Town Hall
20 December 2026 16:00
Shoreditch Town Hall
29 January 2027 18:30
Shoreditch Town Hall
29 January 2027 20:30
Shoreditch Town Hall
Where is Shoreditch Town Hall and how to get there?
Shoreditch Town Hall is close to Hoxton Square. To get there, take the Northern line to Old Street or the London Overground’s Weaver line to Shoreditch High Street—both stations are around a 10-minute walk away.
📍Address: 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT
Is Shoreditch Town Hall wheelchair accessible?
The main entrance has a ramp, and a passenger lift provides step-free access to The Ditch, the Assembly Hall. However, please note that the Assembly Hall balcony is only accessible by stairs.
Is there parking nearby?
The venue lists NCP Finsbury Square as its nearest car park.
Can you buy food and drinks?
It depends on the event you’re attending, but there is an on-site bar that serves beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and snacks.
Nearby Venues
There are several iconic London spots located close to Shoreditch Town Hall, including Hoxton Hall and the Barbican Centre. This place also joins the likes of Southwark Cathedral and Central Hall Westminster as a London Candlelight venue.
