In walking in London at night, the usual places are lit up, but there are others much more so. It soon becomes apparent there’s a lot to do, and along Shaftesbury Avenue it has a lot to do with enjoying a night out on the town, but also as an extension of China Town just behind, finding a bit more to enjoy that’s culturally relatable.
The accessibility of Chinese culture, predominantly, is clear as it is among the food halls and takeaway shops that line most high streets today. It’s a much stronger feeling, though, because it’s a conurbation of traditional and contemporary served up by people who know how. There’s not an amateur in sight because of its insistence on authenticity for the average patron.
The atmosphere is the same as any other busy street, but it’s busier here because of its location and due to attractions such as theatres, cinemas, and pubs, all in spitting distance. The traffic is heavy, but there’s ample opportunity to disappear into a further street, leading off into other worlds entirely.
