Brixton Culture Capital | 17.04.2025
Inside Brixton’s Hidden Gem: The Courtesan + Easter Weekend Highlights!
We're thrilled to introduce a fresh direction for the Brixton Culture Capital newsletter during the next few months. We'll bring intimate interviews and deep dives into some of Brixton's most cherished yet often hidden spots, celebrating the passionate founders behind these incredible spaces.
First, we explore The Courtesan, Brixton's captivating dim sum restaurant and burlesque venue on Atlantic Road. It is run by entrepreneurial partners Hammant-Patel Villa and Viktorija. The Courtesan is much more than a place to dine; it's a heartfelt tribute to the influential courtesans of ancient China who shaped culture, art, and history through elegance and power.
With Michelin-star-trained Chef Feng at the helm, The Courtesan delivers exceptional dishes, blending tradition with inventive culinary flair. Alongside its celebrated menu, The Courtesan proudly showcases a world-first wine and spirits list crafted entirely by female makers, honouring women's invaluable contributions across industries. But the Courtesan's allure doesn't end with cuisine—it's also home to spectacular burlesque performances celebrating femininity and artistic expression, creating unforgettable nights that resonate deeply with Brixton’s vibrant community.
Discover more about The Courtesan's inspiring story and our detailed feature here.
Coworking for just £150 per month.
At Impact Brixton, you’ll find the perfect space to focus, connect, and find your flow with great vibes, great people, and everything you need to be productive. Find out more here.
🎭 Upcoming Events in Brixton
Brixton Events easter weekend(18–24 April 2025)
Saturday, April 19, there's a Brixton Market Heritage Walk from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. This 90-minute guided tour explores the history of Brixton Market and its development into South London's largest shopping centre by the 1920s. Grab a £5 Ticket here.
Daily (5–27 Apr) – Brixton Village: Easter Scavenger Hunt – A free self-guided treasure hunt through Brixton Village’s independent shops. Pick up a clue sheet at SoLo Craft Fair (Granville Arcade) and solve riddles to win prizes (kids win an Easter decoration; adults a tote bag). More here
Thu 24 Apr – Black Cultural Archives: Unearthing Your Roots: Genealogy Session – A free workshop with genealogist Selena Carty, launching a series to help participants trace their ancestry and explore Caribbean–UK–Africa migration link Find out more at blackculturalarchives.org.
Tue–Sat, ongoing—Photofusion Gallery: Select/25 Exhibition—Photofusion’s annual members’ exhibition showcases projects by four photographers exploring themes of environmental fragility, cultural identity, motherhood, and neurodivergence through personal visual narratives. Find out more here.
Fri 18 – Sun 20 Apr – London Beer Lab (Arch 41 Nursery Rd): Indie Beer Fest – A three-day festival “celebrating independent beer”. Each £8 ticket includes three ⅓-pint tasters of festival-favourite craft brews from 40 taps, plus entry to a blind tasting competition (prize: a hand-crafted beer stein).
Fri 18 Apr (3:30 PM–late) – The Windmill, Brixton: Bad Friday BBQ All-Dayer – An 18+ “Bad Friday” live-music mini-festival featuring eight bands (garage punk, garage-rock, darkwave, alt-rock and more), including Belfast trio JOCK and feminist rockers The Baby Seals windmillbrixton.co.uk. Ticket £13 (incl. BBQ dinner, vegan options).
Sat 19 Apr (1:00 PM) – Brixton (walking tour): “Black & White Resistance in Brixton: Windrush, Squats, Uprising & Gay Lib” – A 2.5‑hour guided activism history walk led by Laura Agustín, exploring Brixton’s minority communities and their roles in social movements (from the Windrush generation to 1980s uprisings and LGBTQ+ liberation) londonist.com.
Fri 18 Apr (10:00 PM) – Effra Social: Mike Urban’s Mega Pop Party – A retro pop dance party with “100% FREE ENTRY, 100% ACE TUNES.” Local DJ Mike Urban spins classic pop from ABBA to A-ha, Cyndi Lauper to Dolly Parton – “Fleetwood Mac, Blondie and MORE!” – for a feel-good night out until late.
BCClist Film & Theatre Guide (18–20 April 2025)
At the Ritzy Picturehouse (Brixton):
Sinners - The weekend’s buzziest new release. Critics and audiences are raving about this genre-blending vampire epic (99% on RT). It’s a visually stunning, music-fueled horror film – and a fresh original blockbuster from Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. High-energy and highly acclaimed, Sinners is the top pick for adventure this weekend.
Four Mothers – Sat 19 Apr, 11:10 AM. A warm Irish comedy about a harried Dublin novelist who must care for his own mum, plus three friends’ mothers, over one chaotic weekend. Rotten Tomatoes: 89% ★★★★☆ (critics). Tickets here
A Minecraft Movie – Sun 20 Apr, 5:30 PM. Family adventure that “provides a colourful sandbox” for Jack Black and Jason Momoa to romp in, as four gamers are pulled into the Minecraft world and must defeat its pixelated perils. Rotten Tomatoes: 46% ★★☆☆☆ (critics)rottentomatoes.com. Tickets here
A Tale of Us - Brixton House
Looking for a special outing tonight? "A Tale of Us" promises a memorable and enriching experience for you and your baby! Join Ivy and her baby on a funny, frank, and magical journey through their first year together. Specifically created for parents with children aged 0-18 months, "A Tale of Us" offers a refreshing and relatable look at early life. What's more, after each performance, you can enjoy a guided stay and play session, providing a fantastic opportunity to explore the world of the show and connect with other parents and babies. All performances are held in a relaxed setting, ensuring a comfortable experience for you and your little one. Book tickets here.
Brixton Discounts
Free Drink with Every Main at Clover’s
We’re obsessed with the food at Clover’s, one of our favourite brunch spots in Brixton. Enjoy a complimentary drink with us when you order any main meal. For an unforgettable experience, try their Caribbean breakfast—it’s a crowd favourite that never disappoints.
Mezza Me – 10% Off Lebanese Street Food
Mezza Me offers a taste of Lebanon with a Brixton twist. Could you mention TheBCClist to get 10% off your meal.
Prince of Wales - 10% off food and drink. This does not apply to normal Happy Hours, Food Deals, or TakeAway offers.
En Root – 10% Off Plant-Based Delights
Plant-based Indian fusion cuisine that’s both nutritious and delicious. 10% off.
Mamalan – Authentic Chinese Street Food
Authentic Beijing street food in the heart of Brixton Village: 10% off.
Until next Thursday, 11.11 am
The BCC list