Tucked into Brick Lane E1, the Truman Markets bring the road and old brewery site alive most weekends and beyond. This is London’s heart of vintage, street food and indie design, where you can browse stalls for fashion, jewellery, art, toys and homewares, then grab something delicious before you explore more of east London.
If you pick up more than you planned or need a simple place to keep stock between trading, HOLD in Kings Cross offers climate-secure units and 24/7 access on request.
Key takeaways
- Brick Lane Market spans multiple Truman Brewery halls and yards with varying opening hours. Check live pages before you go.
- Brick Lane Vintage Market at 85 Brick Lane E1 6QL is open seven days and is a treasure trove for vintage fashion.
- Ely’s Yard serves street food from a rotating lineup beside the main halls.
- Apply directly to the Truman Markets team; food traders must register with Tower Hamlets 28 days in advance.
- Old Spitalfields and Columbia Road Flower Market are within walking distance for an easy multi-market day.
Brick Lane's Market scene changes through the day with a rotating lineup of individual trucks in Ely’s Yard, while the Brick Lane Vintage Market and Backyard Market run set hours.
If you plan to shop or sell, this guide covers opening hours, what to buy and how to set up a stall, with links to official pages so details are always up to date.
The Rich History of Brick Lane Market
Brick Lane’s story is told along Tower Hamlets’ Cultural Trail, where new information boards map 20 historic sites across Brick Lane and Spitalfields. They highlight the area’s rich heritage and cultures, encouraging visitors to explore on foot and understand how the lane evolved.
At the centre sits the Old Truman Brewery, a complex that Brick Lane runs through. Brewing began here around 1666, Joseph Truman purchased the site in 1679, and the buildings span the 18th to 20th centuries.
The former industrial yards now frame today’s markets and venues, linking centuries of craft to a new creative scene.
What to buy and where
Start underground at the Brick Lane Vintage Market, a landmark for vintage clothes of every style: denim, military, Y2K and designer pieces from multiple decades.
It sits in F Block and is open daily. Expect rails of fashion, shoes and accessories curated by specialists.
Out on Brick Lane and the surrounding streets, you will often find crates of fresh fruit and vegetables, small bakeries and deli counters alongside makers.
The popular curry houses on the road add their spice to the air, and there is real variety across food, fashion and design. Pick up pantry treats to take home, then circle back for another look so you do not miss a one-off find.
Head to the Backyard Market on Saturdays and Sundays for a lively array of indie makers and illustrators selling craft, prints, jewellery and homewares alongside clothing and art. Times are published clearly on the official page, and the hall is located at 146 Brick Lane.
If you are hungry, Ely’s Yard lines up street food from individual trucks with a rotating lineup through the week. It is an easy stop for lunch as you browse, with traders highlighted on the Truman Brewery site. Across the estate you will also find shops and small studios to discover between halls.
When is Brick Lane Market open?
Brick Lane Vintage Market
Monday–Friday 11am–6.30pm
Saturday 11am–6pm,
Sunday 10am–6pm
Upmarket (food and design)
Monday–Saturday 11am–6pm,
Sunday 10am–6pm
Backyard Market
Saturday 11am–6pm
Sunday 10am–6pm
Ely’s Yard street food
Most days with lineups and times that vary — check live updates
How do I get to Brick Lane Market?
From Liverpool Street
Exit to Bishopsgate, walk east along Brushfield Street, cross Commercial Street and continue via Hanbury Street to 91 Brick Lane. 12 to 15 minutes.
From Shoreditch High Street Overground
Walk 5 to 7 minutes via Bethnal Green Road, then south on Brick Lane to the Truman Brewery entrances.
From Aldgate East
Walk 8 to 10 minutes via Whitechapel High Street, then north on Osborn Street into Brick Lane.
Bus
Frequent services run along Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch High Street, Commercial Street and Whitechapel High Street; check TfL for live routes.
Overground
Shoreditch High Street is the nearest Overground. Whitechapel Overground is a longer walk but useful for interchanges.
Cycle
Santander Cycles docks and cycleways are nearby. Use TfL’s map to find docking stations around Brick Lane.
Driving and loading
Truman Brewery’s pay-on-entry car park is about 100 metres from 91 Brick Lane. Congestion Charge and ULEZ apply. Loading is via Ely’s Yard and Hanbury Street; follow on-site directions and venue guidance.
What Londoners think about Brick Lane Market
Insights from Reddit and TripAdvisor
Taking insights from Reddit and TripAdvisor, Locals say the area is at its best on Sundays when the markets and food halls are in full swing, and they often pair it with the Columbia Road Flower Market for a morning-to-afternoon loop. Go early or near closing to beat crowds and sometimes catch end-of-day deals.
Expect loads of stalls for jewellery, vintage clothes and art, plus street art around every corner. Many also recommend grabbing a bagel nearby as a classic finish.
Prices can feel high in parts of the vintage scene, though regulars suggest asking for a small discount at some traders. Weekdays are calmer if you want to browse without the crush.
Opinions split on how touristy it feels, yet most agree it remains lively, with better variety than a typical high street and easy links to Spitalfields.
Food gets steady praise at the Truman Brewery halls and Ely’s Yard, but it gets busy at peak times. Plan for queues at lunch
Street performance
Brick Lane doesn’t run a formal show schedule. Buskers and small acts pop up along the street and in nearby yards. If you stop to watch, step to the side, keep doorways clear, and leave space for prams and wheelchairs.
Remember to tip if you enjoyed it. Drums and amplified sets can be limited at busy times, and stewards or police may ask acts to move on. For organised activity on the public highway in Tower Hamlets, check council permissions.
How do I get to Brick Lane Market?
From Liverpool Street
Exit to Bishopsgate, walk east along Brushfield Street, cross Commercial Street and continue via Hanbury Street to 91 Brick Lane. 12 to 15 minutes.
From Shoreditch High Street Overground
Walk 5 to 7 minutes via Bethnal Green Road, then south on Brick Lane to the Truman Brewery entrances.
From Aldgate East
Walk 8 to 10 minutes via Whitechapel High Street, then north on Osborn Street into Brick Lane.
Bus
Frequent services run along Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch High Street, Commercial Street and Whitechapel High Street; check TfL for live routes.
Overground
Shoreditch High Street is the nearest Overground. Whitechapel Overground is a longer walk but useful for interchanges.
Cycle
Santander Cycles docks and cycleways are nearby. Use TfL’s map to find docking stations around Brick Lane.
Driving and loading
Truman Brewery’s pay-on-entry car park is about 100 metres from 91 Brick Lane. Congestion Charge and ULEZ apply. Loading to Ely’s Yard is via Hanbury Street gates, by arrangement with the venue team.
How to set up a stall at Brick Lane Market
Who runs the market and permits
The markets on the Truman Brewery estate are privately operated. Pitches inside Brick Lane Vintage Market, Backyard Market and Upmarket are issued directly by the operator on private land at Brick Lane E1.
If you plan to trade on public highway or in the vicinity of council-managed markets, Tower Hamlets street trading rules apply.
Eligibility and required documents
Apply to the relevant hall team. Bring proof of identity and address, product photos or a menu, and public liability insurance.
Food traders must register with Tower Hamlets at least 28 days before trading, keep hygiene training current, and provide allergen information. Any gas or electrical kit must be safely tested.
Fees and pitch details
Pricing and allocation are set by each hall. Only use figures published by the operator. If none are listed, enquire via the hall’s application page for the current model, pitch sizes, and any power options. Tower Hamlets also publishes fees for private land trading where council consent is required.
Application process step by step
- Choose your venue: Brick Lane Vintage Market, Backyard Market or Upmarket.
- Submit an enquiry using the official hall form with details of your wares and setup.
- Await review. If accepted, you may be invited to an induction and offered dates.
- Arrange payment when requested and confirm your allocation and access times.
- Check on-the-day procedures with the markets team before arrival.
For information on street trading licences near markets, see the Tower Hamlets council page on Street Trading Licences.
On the day
Arrive within the loading window you are given and follow directions to designated unloading points around the estate. Bring your own display equipment unless explicitly provided. Keep aisles clear, manage waste responsibly and secure stock against weather. Card readers are recommended as contactless is standard across the city. Follow staff instructions for parking and close-down.
Food traders extra requirements
Register your food business with Tower Hamlets at least 28 days before your first trading date. Maintain food hygiene training for staff, clear allergen information and Natasha’s Law compliant labelling.
Keep hot and cold holding within safe temperatures and provide hand-washing. Ensure gas and electrical checks are current and available for inspection.
Information verified against official operator and council guidance. Last checked: September 2025.
Trader checklist
- Apply to the correct hall for your product category.
- Hold public liability insurance and keep documents to hand.
- Food businesses registered 28 days before trading.
- Prepare risk assessment and equipment safety records.
- Confirm pitch size, power and fees with the market team.
- Bring card reader, float and packaging for sales.
- Label allergens clearly and display pricing.
- Arrive within your loading window and keep exits clear.
- Manage waste and leave the pitch clean.
- Check live opening times monday to Sunday before each booking.
Need self storage? HOLD is here to help
HOLD is on a mission to transform self storage in London. At our Kings Cross facility, we offer digital-first, modern storage solutions perfect for market traders and shoppers alike.
From secure business storage for stock to flexible personal units, our 24/7 access and hassle-free booking make storage simple.
Book online in minutes. Experience storage tailored to London residents and businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brick Lane Vintage Market open every day?
Yes. The official page lists Monday to Friday 11am 6 30pm, Saturday 11am 6pm and Sunday 10am 6pm, at 85 Brick Lane E1 6QL. Always check live updates before you travel.
Where exactly is the Truman Brewery estate?
The estate covers multiple buildings around 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL, including Ely’s Yard and several market halls.
How do I apply for a stall at Brick Lane Market?
Apply directly to the relevant hall using the official enquiry forms for Upmarket, Backyard Market or Brick Lane Vintage Market. The team will confirm availability, fees and times.
I sell hot food. What extra steps do I need to take?
Register your food business with Tower Hamlets at least 28 days before your first date, keep hygiene training current and meet allergen rules. Bring temperature control and safety checks for gas and electrics.
Is Columbia Road Flower Market nearby?
Yes. It runs every Sunday morning and is an easy add-on to a Brick Lane weekend. Check its official site for current times.
