Changes at Cantaloupe

The warm red exterior of the Cantaloupe welcomes you into the refurbished back bar and restaurant area - with fantastic pictures from the Mediterranean.

A cosy and colourful atmosphere in almost cavernous space

Life in the Shoreditch/Hoxton area was very different when Cantaloupe opened in 1995 ... it was very bohemian with a strong creative energy, full of artists, musicians and photographers. There was a sprinkling of traditional pubs and - hard to imagine now - which closed at the weekend.

Since then bars have been appearing at an increasing rate to reach a virtual torrent today and Shoreditch is now famed for its diverse and exciting bar scene.

Cantaloupe gives a nod to the light industrial origins of the 100 year old building with exposed air ducts and a bar made out of scaffolding. Yet the bar manages to retain a cosy atmosphere in an almost cavernous space. In 1997 Cantaloupe won the Time Out Bar of the Year Award receiving many accolades for its buzzy atmosphete, great food and quality drinks.

Now doubled in size, it remains a firm favourite with many faithful regulars as well as attracting new customers from all over London.