Brixton Culture Capital | 31.07.2025
Brixton Village & Market Row Chronicles: “Arepas meet patties, yucca fries challenge plantains, and a Venezuelan immigrant finds his culinary home in Brixton’s melting pot.
Are Arepas Set to Dethrone Patties as Brixton's Favourite Street Food?
Brixton has long been synonymous with the irresistible aroma of Jamaican patties—golden, flaky pastries packed with spicy beef, curry chicken, or hearty vegetables. Today, in the new Brixton, the Latina American community, may disagree. A new contender is turning heads (and tantalising taste buds) in the iconic Brixton Village: the Venezuelan arepa.
If you haven't sunk your teeth into an arepa yet, think soft cornmeal pockets stuffed with creamy black beans, succulent shredded beef, sweet plantains, or melted cheese—rich, comforting, and unmistakably Latin American. Arepa & Co., the brainchild of Venezuelan-born Ernesto Moreno, is boldly challenging the traditional Caribbean dominance of Brixton's street-food scene.
With Brixton increasingly becoming a magnet for London's Latino communities, are arepas poised to become as iconic here as patties?
It's not just food; it's a cultural conversation, Ernesto says. Arepa & Co. brings something fresh, bridging Caribbean and Latin American traditions through shared ingredients like plantains and beans. But crucially, the arepa also introduces new culinary experiences, from Venezuelan cachapas (sweet corn pancakes) to tequeños (cheese sticks beloved by Venezuelans).
When Ernesto first set foot in Brixton Village, it felt familiar. Though thousands of miles from Venezuela, he recognised the same spirit of openness, resilience, and cultural pride he’d grown up with. Here, between stalls selling patties and jerk chicken, he knew Venezuelan food—cornmeal arepas bursting with hearty fillings—had found a natural home. Read more about the story of the first Venezuelan restaurant in London.
The coolest Events in Brixton coming up.
Music & Nightlife
✨ Thu 31 Jul – Stratford Rise (The Windmill) – Belfast-based noise-rock quartet bringing guitar-driven ferocity to Brixton. Expect a high-energy indie gig as Stratford Rise headlines an electrifying lineup at the legendary Windmill. 🕒 7:30 PM 🎟️ Tickets
🎛️ Thu 31 Jul – Amen Service: FREE Jungle Rave (Hootananny) – A bass-heavy night of jungle and drum & bass anthems. This free-entry midweek rave welcomes all junglists for old-school breakbeats, rewinds, and dancing until late. 🕒 8:00 PM 🎟️ Info
🎤 Fri 1 Aug – Katy B presents “Little Red Rave” (Phonox) – South London’s club queen returns with Sicaria, Champion, G33, Tommy Gold & more, delivering UKG, funky, and grime anthems. 🕒 10:00 PM – 4:00 AM 🎟️ Tickets
🎚️ Fri 1 Aug – BBO Records: Ultimate Afrobeat Summer Jam (Brixton Jamm) – West African grooves with Afrobeats, Afropop, and Highlife from live performers and DJs. 🕒 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM 🎟️ Tickets
🎷 Sat 2 Aug – Brixton Got Soul (The Blues Kitchen) – Explosive live soul and Motown night, followed by DJs spinning vintage grooves till late. Free before 9 PM; £5 after. 🎟️ Info
Art & Heritage
📸 Until Sat 2 Aug – RPS Analogue Group Exhibition (Photofusion Gallery) – 80 stunning analogue photographs showcasing traditional darkroom creativity. Open Tue–Sat, 10 AM–6 PM. Free entry. 🎟️ Details
📚 Until Sat 9 Aug – Brixton Society 50th Anniversary (Brixton Library) – Exhibition celebrating 50 years of Brixton’s heritage through archival photos and stories. Library opening hours, free entry.
🧩 Everything Else (Community&Networking)
🎉 Sat 2 Aug – JUST VIBEZ Hip Hop BBQ Block Party (Black Cultural Archives Courtyard) – DJs spinning hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, and afrobeats, with street food and BBQ. Family-friendly until 4 PM. 🕒 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM 🎟️ Info
🛍️ Sat 2 & Sun 3 Aug – Black Culture Market (The Department Store) – Indoor market featuring 40+ Black-owned businesses with fashion, art, jewelry, skincare, and food. 🕒 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM 🎟️ Details
☯️ Sat 2 Aug – Tai Chi in the Park (Windmill Gardens) – Relaxing open-level Tai Chi session improving balance and breathing. Meet by the windmill; pay what you can. 🕒 11:30 AM 🎟️ Info
AD. Coworking @ £150/month. Business address @ £12.50/month. Private office @ £400/person. At Impact Brixton, this is how we do affordable coworking. Explore →
🎭 The BCClist Film & Theatre Guide
🎬 Superman: Legacy (2025) – Action/Adventure – 83% Rotten Tomatoes. James Gunn's hopeful DC reboot, praised for its optimistic storytelling.
🎬 Elio (2025) – Family/Sci-Fi Animation – 83% Rotten Tomatoes. Pixar's adventure about an 11-year-old boy mistaken for Earth's ambassador by aliens.
🎬 The Bad Guys 2 (2025) – Animation/Comedy – 84% Rotten Tomatoes. Globetrotting heist caper praised for humor and family-friendly fun.
Theatre (Brixton House)
🎭 7–10 Aug – “The Legends of Them” (Brixton House) – Sutara Gayle’s musical chronicle celebrating musical legends and personal heritage through powerful live performances. 🎟️ Tickets
Brixton Discounts
Impact Brixton - Free £35 coworking day pass for all readers of the Bcclist during July and August. One time application
Nuvolapizza - Half-price pizza deal on Tuesdays at Nuvolapizza in Market Row, Brixton. Nuvolapizza is offering 50% off all pizzas on Tuesday.
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.
The Laundry (Brixton) – “Laundry Locals” 20% Off: A neighborhood bistro & wine shop running a locals’ loyalty program. Quote “LAUNDRYLOCAL” when you dine in or book, and you’ll receive 20% off your bill, Mon–Fri . This can be used unlimited times on weekdays (excludes takeaway and can’t combine with other promos) . Location: 374 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton. Expiry: Ongoing (loyalty program; monthly special perks for members).
Satay Bar (Brixton) – Lunch + Drink for £12: A long-running Far-East Asian restaurant/bar offering a great lunchtime deal – from 1:00–5:00pm daily, get a lunch meal including a rum punch or fruit punch for just £12 . (Selected menu items; T&Cs apply.) They also run Happy Hour – two of the same cocktail for £12.50 – from 5:00–7:30pm and again 9:30pm–close every day (any cocktails except sparkling ones) . Location: 447 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton. Expiry: Ongoing (daily offers).
Free Drink 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.
Until next Thursday, 11.11 am
The BCC list