Column: Emmanuelle's Brixton

This month, columnist Emmanuelleok Smith gets back into the penniless student lifestyle, checking  out the best boshop this side of the river and Brixton’s ultimate caff…

Adjusting to life as a full-time student again, after a five-year stint in the ‘real’ world, has been taking up most of my time in the last few weeks. Compared to my undergrad degree in Philosophy, though, where nine lectures a week was as busy it got, this is pretty hard work.

You’d think that years of employment (as a cinema projectionist and usher, as a teacher, as a playworker, and as a secretary- to name but a few) would have equipped me with the ability to manage a full day studying without too much difficulty. Well, actually, it seems that a large part of my brain has been sleeping for all this time, and is only just waking up now. Still, it’s definitely worth it, and I’m loving learning new things. It does mean, however, that I am officially skint, and have had to enjoy Brixton on the cheap.

When my course started, I went to Bookmongers on Coldharbour Lane to look for some of the titles on my reading list. Anyway, I tend not to need excuses to browse second-hand bookshops - especially ones of this calibre. Every piece of floor and wall is piled up high with dusty tomes in loosely divided sections - meaning you really don’t know what you’re going to find.

The bearded guy with an American accent who runs the shop is suitably aloof and intimidating, but if you have a question about a book, he’s really helpful and knows his stock. There’s also a notice board with community info, comfy sofas at the back, great music on the hi-fi, and sometimes a dog. I didn’t actually pick up any course books, but got a Jimi Hendrix biography by the brilliant Charles Shaar Murray, and an obscure German art book. Result.

One of my favourite things to do, other than buying and reading books, is drinking coffee. And one of my favourite places to go (not just in Brixton, but in the whole world) is Rosie’s Deli Café in the market. Rosie sells a million different deli-type foods (hence the name) to take away. But she also has a few tables, perfect whether you want to eat lunch (yummy sandwiches, salads and soup) or wile away an afternoon drinking coffee and eating cakes. If, like me, you’re into your coffee and cakes, I recommend the awesome homemade flapjacks and brownies. Just as importantly, Rosie and the others who work there are so so lovely and unpretentious. That and the retro, boutique décor contribute towards making Rosie’s a fantastic place to escape the busyness of the high street and market and chill for a bit.

Sadly, I’ve been too busy juggling part-time work and studies, and getting used to early mornings to got out much recently.

I did check out the recently reopened South Side Bar on Brixton Hill. When it was called George IV, it used to be a complete dive (or so it looked from the safe distance I kept from it), but since the refit, it’s been consistently packed and I’ve been intrigued. I went on a Thursday and was treated with funky house and electro beats on the decks, which was pleasant enough. The crowd is similar to that in The White Horse (down the road), but the outside seating area is bigger and better, and it has a more ‘clubby’ vibe. Essentially, if you’re a White Horse regular and you like to dance, you may want to consider switching locals, but if you’re a White Horse regular and you like to sit on the sofas and have dinner, stay put.


Been down to Rosie’s? Know a better bookshop in the locale? Or just want to say hi to Emmanuelle? Hit Post A Comment…

image courtesy of Cowfish