Your city's most bohemian areas

Jaeger · January 12th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Bohemianism - The term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the untraditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, musicians, and actors in major European cities.

LONDON

Todays Bohemian London is far more centered towards the East End of the city at Brick Lane, Shordith and Hoxton, and to some extent this reflects the gentrification that has engulfed some of the historic centres of Bohemian Culture. However Camden in North London remains a central part of London's Bohemian Charm.

CAMDEN TOWN - Camden Town is an inner-city district located in North London. Camden Town is famous for its crowded markets, liberal attitude and associations with popular culture. Since the 1960s the Roundhouse has been a centre of alternative culture, and later associated with punk and Goth subcultures.

image hosted on flickr

The Roundhouse - http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/

image hosted on flickr

HOXTON AND SHOREDITCH

Hoxton is now the centre of London's Alternative Art Culture with many galleries and unique places to eat, drink and shop

image hosted on flickr

BRICK LANE - Brick Lane has Traditionally been an immigrant area in the East End and today it is a very colourful area offering a diversity of shops and cultural attractions

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Historically areas such as Bloomsbury, Soho, Notting Hill, Carnarby Street and the Kings Road have all at one time been centres of youth culture, alternative lifestyle and engendered a bohemian spirit.

Carnaby Street in the 1960's when it was the centre of Mod fashion

image hosted on flickr

Carnaby Street Today

image hosted on flickr

Portobello Road, Notting Hill

image hosted on flickr

London Soho

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

The Kings Road in Chelsea in the 1960's when it was considered chic

image hosted on flickr

Malcolm Mclaren's and Vivian Westwood's Kings Road Shop was one of several such shops on the Kings Road back in the 1970's, when the Kings Road was the centre of Punk and Skinhead Culture.

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Eng...mes/1384/1159/

McLaren's and Westwood's original Kings Road SEX boutique at 430 King's Road as it is today.

The Kings Road Today

image hosted on flickr

Many Actors and Musicians have made Primrose Hill their home in recent years.

image hosted on flickr

Covent Garden

image hosted on flickr

Neals Yard, Covent Garden

image hosted on flickr

Somnifor · January 12th, 2009, 09:23 PM

Minneapolis is arguably the most bohemian or countercultural big city in the Midwestern US. The main neighborhoods are Uptown, Northeast, Whittier and Powderhorn Park. Uptown was the center of the cities' punk rock scene in the '80s, Northeast was where the rave and underground hip hop scenes happened in the '90s. Whittier and Powderhorn are the places that are on the upswing now. Much of the south side of Minneapolis is underground style these days, it's not concentrated in a few spots the way it used to be.

Conventionally the '80s are seen as the cities' glory days as far a the creative community goes but I think there is more going on now, it's just that there is no big star to pin things to now like there was back then.

Snowy · January 12th, 2009, 09:50 PM

I love Neal's Yard, it's one of London's best-kept secrets. It's just such a lovely little place and I love seeing the looks on tourists' faces when they discover it by chance, pure magic. It is TINY though!

Kensingtonian · January 12th, 2009, 09:56 PM

in toronto: kensington market or parkdale. they're both bohemian in different ways. parkdale is the trendy, new bohemiam area. the artists keep moving west along queen street as gentrification follows them, making it too expensive.

kensington market has somehow held off serious gentrification despite being so central, although it's still happening a bit. augusta closer to college street has pricier restaurants and stores, but kensington ave., baldwin st. and augusta near dundas street are still nice and grungy and bohemian.

PedroGabriel · January 12th, 2009, 10:36 PM

for us bohemian (boémio) means a person that often engages in alcohol in bars and clubs, gambling and/or sex. I fail to understand the thread's point. Seems anglosaxon-centered.

Kensingtonian · January 12th, 2009, 10:53 PM

well, the origin is french, so it can't be that anglo-centered. and, as defined by jaeger at the beginning of this thread, bohemianism is defined as the untraditional lifestyle of artists, writers, etc.

i always thought of bohemians as people from families who are well-off financially who move to poorer areas of town. either because they are artists not making much money or they choose to live that way for other reasons.

Jaeger · January 12th, 2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kensingtonian

well, the origin is french, so it can't be that anglo-centered. and, as defined by jaeger at the beginning of this thread, bohemianism is defined as the untraditional lifestyle of artists, writers, etc.

I suppose the term could be widened to reflect modern culture, and Bohemanism could include alternative lifestyles, alternative thinking and even youth cultures.

monkeyronin · January 13th, 2009, 02:41 AM

Toronto's Kensington Market. Pictures are by Taller, Better, from his thread here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334362

monkeyronin · January 13th, 2009, 02:54 AM

Queen St. West and Parkdale, Toronto. Photos from: http://www.streetsandsoul.com/scenes.html

***Taller, Better*** · January 13th, 2009, 03:40 AM

You've gone to a lot of work and shown us some amazing pictures! A lot of research and I enjoyed it. I hope the crankies out there take a big valium and enjoy the tour!

***Xusein*** · January 13th, 2009, 03:43 AM

LOL, I always wanted to visit Kensington Market, just to see the hype.

***Svartmetall*** · January 13th, 2009, 04:22 AM

I was upset to find out that the biggest squat in Berlin for artists is being shut down. It's a bit special as it contains 31 ateliers, a theatre, cinema and restaurants.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/...599933,00.html

city_thing · January 13th, 2009, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaeger

Bohemianism - The term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the untraditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, musicians, and actors in major European cities.

LONDON

Todays Bohemian London is far more centered towards the East End of the city at Brick Lane, Shordith and Hoxton, and to some extent this reflects the gentrification that has engulfed some of the historic centres of Bohemian Culture. However Camden in North London remains a central part of London's Bohemian Charm.

CAMDEN TOWN - Camden Town is an inner-city district located in North London. Camden Town is famous for its crowded markets, liberal attitude and associations with popular culture. Since the 1960s the Roundhouse has been a centre of alternative culture, and later associated with punk and Goth subcultures.

image hosted on flickr

Camden Town is where I lived until I was 14, near Chalk Farm Road tube station.

It's changed incredibly from when I was a kid, largely due to it becoming a tourist hub and Eastern Europe being brought into the EU (it seems to be flooded with drug dealers from the Balkans now).

My parents were very 'arty farty' and they worked for the UN, so we had to live in Central London and they loved Camden so we lived there. After that we moved to Copenhagen, and then to the North East of England. I still miss Camden a hell of a lot.

Great idea for a thread Jaeger

Taylorhoge · January 13th, 2009, 03:55 PM

Today the East Village,Greenwich Village,West Village,Willamsburg,Lower East Side,Red Hook,Carol Gardens,Long Island City

Before:SOHO,DUMBO,Gramecy

the spliff fairy · January 13th, 2009, 04:17 PM

yep In London

Today: Soho, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Hoxton-Hackney

Before: Soho, Islington, Camden, Notting Hill, Marylebone, Farringdon (Camden is now overrun by tourists, the rest have gentrified)

Way before: Soho, Chelsea, Covent Garden

Coming up (read: where all the priced out artists are moving to): Brixton, Camberwell, Dalston, Bethnal Green, Vauxhall (the latest gay village)

Jaeger · January 13th, 2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

You've gone to a lot of work and shown us some amazing pictures! A lot of research and I enjoyed it. I hope the crankies out there take a big valium and enjoy the tour!

Cheers Taller, Better

Liked the Kensington Toronto pics

Quote:

Originally Posted by the spliff fairy

yep In London

Today: Soho, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Hoxton-Hackney

Before: Soho, Islington, Camden, Notting Hill, Marylebone, Farringdon (Camden is now overrun by tourists, the rest have gentrified)

Way before: Soho, Chelsea, Covent Garden

Coming up (read: where all the priced out artists are moving to): Brixton, Camberwell, Dalston, Bethnal Green, Vauxhall (the latest gay village)

Exactly

Forgot to mention the Islington Set, and of course Bloomsbury had it's intellectual bohemian group, with the likes of Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, E. M. Forster, and Lytton Strachey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomsbury_Group

image hosted on flickr

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Thing

Camden Town is where I lived until I was 14, near Chalk Farm Road tube station.

It's changed incredibly from when I was a kid, largely due to it becoming a tourist hub and Eastern Europe being brought into the EU (it seems to be flooded with drug dealers from the Balkans now).

My parents were very 'arty farty' and they worked for the UN, so we had to live in Central London and they loved Camden so we lived there. After that we moved to Copenhagen, and then to the North East of England. I still miss Camden a hell of a lot.

Great idea for a thread Jaeger

Yes Camden has always been a very unique area. I suppose all areas are subject to change, but there have been some postives such as the re-opening of the Roundhouse, and I suppose the tourist money will at least ensure Camdens alternative shops and markets survival even if it is increasingly commercial.

Copenhagen has a Bohemian scene from what I have heard.

I suppose the closest thing in the North East are areas such as Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle, which has it's own festival and art galleries such as the Biscuit Factory, as well as venues such as the Cluny.

http://www.headofsteam.co.uk/default.aspx?tabid=10194

http://www.thebiscuitfactory.com/

Jaeger · January 13th, 2009, 05:46 PM

Other British Cities known for their Bohemian Vibe include:

Brighton - Flourishing Bohemian and Gay Scene

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Bristol - The West Country is with Bohemian Culture whether it be the Glastonbury Festival or the colourful streets of Bristol. The Montpelier area of Bristol is famous for it's Bohemian scene. Expect strong cider and plenty of traditional ale

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Edinburgh - Home to the World Famous Fringe Festival and has a Cosmopolitan and Bohemian outlook

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Manchester - has the busiest gay village in Europe, one of the largest China Towns and Rusholme the cities curry mile has a Brick Lane feel to it. Manchester Northern Quarter is closely linked with the cities Bohemian scene. Manchester is also world famous for it's musical creativity and many bands, as well as clubs such as the late Hacienda

Manchester Bands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rom_Manchester

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Manchester's Northern Quarter doubling as New York City for the film 'Alfie' (2004).

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

Canal Street at the Heart of Manchester's Gay Village - The Gay Village is the busiest and largest Gay Village in Europe.

http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/gay/gay-vill2.html

http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/gay/gay-vill1.html

image hosted on flickr

Kensingtonian · January 13th, 2009, 07:55 PM

LOVED brighton when i was there. i actually liked it better than london. i was so impressed that a small city could be so vibrant. canada and the u.s. have some amazing big cities, but the small cities, for the most part, just plain suck.

the spliff fairy · January 13th, 2009, 09:53 PM

yep If you ever come to UK, you have to visit Brighton. Its everything thats good about London - cosmopolitan vibe, youthful populace, leftfield politics, buzzing nightlife and thousands of white Regency era buildings, all by the sea - but without the crime, litter, breakdowns and commuting. It's said one fifth of the population is LGBT, and the many English language schools ensure a cosmopolitan and young student population.

image hosted on flickr

flesh_is_weak · January 13th, 2009, 10:03 PM

the kensington market pictures reminded me of something really urgent: buy clothes for summer...i flew in last fall so i didn't bother to pack some summer clothes

January 12th, 2009, 08:24 PM	#1
Jaeger Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,424 Likes (Received): 153	Your city's most bohemian areas Bohemianism - The term bohemian, of French origin, was first used in the English language in the nineteenth century to describe the untraditional lifestyles of marginalized and impoverished artists, writers, musicians, and actors in major European cities. LONDON Todays Bohemian London is far more centered towards the East End of the city at Brick Lane, Shordith and Hoxton, and to some extent this reflects the gentrification that has engulfed some of the historic centres of Bohemian Culture. However Camden in North London remains a central part of London's Bohemian Charm. CAMDEN TOWN - Camden Town is an inner-city district located in North London. Camden Town is famous for its crowded markets, liberal attitude and associations with popular culture. Since the 1960s the Roundhouse has been a centre of alternative culture, and later associated with punk and Goth subcultures. image hosted on flickr The Roundhouse - http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/ image hosted on flickr HOXTON AND SHOREDITCH Hoxton is now the centre of London's Alternative Art Culture with many galleries and unique places to eat, drink and shop image hosted on flickr BRICK LANE - Brick Lane has Traditionally been an immigrant area in the East End and today it is a very colourful area offering a diversity of shops and cultural attractions image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Historically areas such as Bloomsbury, Soho, Notting Hill, Carnarby Street and the Kings Road have all at one time been centres of youth culture, alternative lifestyle and engendered a bohemian spirit. Carnaby Street in the 1960's when it was the centre of Mod fashion image hosted on flickr Carnaby Street Today image hosted on flickr Portobello Road, Notting Hill image hosted on flickr London Soho image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr The Kings Road in Chelsea in the 1960's when it was considered chic image hosted on flickr Malcolm Mclaren's and Vivian Westwood's Kings Road Shop was one of several such shops on the Kings Road back in the 1970's, when the Kings Road was the centre of Punk and Skinhead Culture. http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/Eng...mes/1384/1159/ McLaren's and Westwood's original Kings Road SEX boutique at 430 King's Road as it is today. The Kings Road Today image hosted on flickr Many Actors and Musicians have made Primrose Hill their home in recent years. image hosted on flickr Covent Garden image hosted on flickr Neals Yard, Covent Garden image hosted on flickr Last edited by Jaeger; January 15th, 2009 at 12:36 PM.

January 12th, 2009, 09:23 PM	#2
Somnifor Paradise Island Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 3,102 Likes (Received): 2129	Minneapolis is arguably the most bohemian or countercultural big city in the Midwestern US. The main neighborhoods are Uptown, Northeast, Whittier and Powderhorn Park. Uptown was the center of the cities' punk rock scene in the '80s, Northeast was where the rave and underground hip hop scenes happened in the '90s. Whittier and Powderhorn are the places that are on the upswing now. Much of the south side of Minneapolis is underground style these days, it's not concentrated in a few spots the way it used to be. Conventionally the '80s are seen as the cities' glory days as far a the creative community goes but I think there is more going on now, it's just that there is no big star to pin things to now like there was back then. Last edited by Somnifor; January 16th, 2009 at 10:41 AM.

January 13th, 2009, 03:40 AM	#10
*Taller, Better* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 67,254 Likes (Received): 10100	You've gone to a lot of work and shown us some amazing pictures! A lot of research and I enjoyed it. I hope the crankies out there take a big valium and enjoy the tour! __________________ Please visit To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted". -Albert Einstein

January 13th, 2009, 03:43 AM	#11
*Xusein* Som@SSC Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 26,034 Likes (Received): 7086	LOL, I always wanted to visit Kensington Market, just to see the hype. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ~~~ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ~~~ *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

January 13th, 2009, 04:22 AM	#12
*Svartmetall* Ordo Ab Chao Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Past: Northampton, UK (19 years), Auckland NZ (7 years), Now: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 13,824 Likes (Received): 7154	I was upset to find out that the biggest squat in Berlin for artists is being shut down. It's a bit special as it contains 31 ateliers, a theatre, cinema and restaurants. http://www.spiegel.de/international/...599933,00.html __________________ My Photo Tours: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

January 12th, 2009, 09:50 PM	#3
Snowy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London / Surrey Posts: 1,282 Likes (Received): 9	I love Neal's Yard, it's one of London's best-kept secrets. It's just such a lovely little place and I love seeing the looks on tourists' faces when they discover it by chance, pure magic. It is TINY though!

January 12th, 2009, 09:56 PM	#4
Kensingtonian Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,142 Likes (Received): 37	in toronto: kensington market or parkdale. they're both bohemian in different ways. parkdale is the trendy, new bohemiam area. the artists keep moving west along queen street as gentrification follows them, making it too expensive. kensington market has somehow held off serious gentrification despite being so central, although it's still happening a bit. augusta closer to college street has pricier restaurants and stores, but kensington ave., baldwin st. and augusta near dundas street are still nice and grungy and bohemian.

January 12th, 2009, 10:36 PM	#5
PedroGabriel BANNED Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Póvoa de Varzim Posts: 5,867 Likes (Received): 2	for us bohemian (boémio) means a person that often engages in alcohol in bars and clubs, gambling and/or sex. I fail to understand the thread's point. Seems anglosaxon-centered.

January 12th, 2009, 10:53 PM	#6
Kensingtonian Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,142 Likes (Received): 37	well, the origin is french, so it can't be that anglo-centered. and, as defined by jaeger at the beginning of this thread, bohemianism is defined as the untraditional lifestyle of artists, writers, etc. i always thought of bohemians as people from families who are well-off financially who move to poorer areas of town. either because they are artists not making much money or they choose to live that way for other reasons.

January 13th, 2009, 02:41 AM	#8
monkeyronin Mơמkƹ͛ƴ∆ґơɲiɲ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,683 Likes (Received): 691	Toronto's Kensington Market. Pictures are by Taller, Better, from his thread here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=334362

January 13th, 2009, 02:54 AM	#9
monkeyronin Mơמkƹ͛ƴ∆ґơɲiɲ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,683 Likes (Received): 691	Queen St. West and Parkdale, Toronto. Photos from: http://www.streetsandsoul.com/scenes.html

January 13th, 2009, 03:55 PM	#14
Taylorhoge Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 1,603 Likes (Received): 7	Today the East Village,Greenwich Village,West Village,Willamsburg,Lower East Side,Red Hook,Carol Gardens,Long Island City Before:SOHO,DUMBO,Gramecy __________________ America was violent before rap- KRS-ONE

January 13th, 2009, 04:17 PM	#15
the spliff fairy ONE WORLD Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: london Posts: 7,706 Likes (Received): 3748	yep In London Today: Soho, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Hoxton-Hackney Before: Soho, Islington, Camden, Notting Hill, Marylebone, Farringdon (Camden is now overrun by tourists, the rest have gentrified) Way before: Soho, Chelsea, Covent Garden Coming up (read: where all the priced out artists are moving to): Brixton, Camberwell, Dalston, Bethnal Green, Vauxhall (the latest gay village)

January 13th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#17
Jaeger Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,424 Likes (Received): 153	Other British Cities known for their Bohemian Vibe include: Brighton - Flourishing Bohemian and Gay Scene image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Bristol - The West Country is with Bohemian Culture whether it be the Glastonbury Festival or the colourful streets of Bristol. The Montpelier area of Bristol is famous for it's Bohemian scene. Expect strong cider and plenty of traditional ale image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Edinburgh - Home to the World Famous Fringe Festival and has a Cosmopolitan and Bohemian outlook image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Manchester - has the busiest gay village in Europe, one of the largest China Towns and Rusholme the cities curry mile has a Brick Lane feel to it. Manchester Northern Quarter is closely linked with the cities Bohemian scene. Manchester is also world famous for it's musical creativity and many bands, as well as clubs such as the late Hacienda Manchester Bands - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...rom_Manchester image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Manchester's Northern Quarter doubling as New York City for the film 'Alfie' (2004). image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Canal Street at the Heart of Manchester's Gay Village - The Gay Village is the busiest and largest Gay Village in Europe. http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/gay/gay-vill2.html http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/gay/gay-vill1.html image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Last edited by Jaeger; January 16th, 2009 at 01:16 AM.

January 13th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#18
Kensingtonian Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,142 Likes (Received): 37	LOVED brighton when i was there. i actually liked it better than london. i was so impressed that a small city could be so vibrant. canada and the u.s. have some amazing big cities, but the small cities, for the most part, just plain suck.

January 13th, 2009, 09:53 PM	#19
the spliff fairy ONE WORLD Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: london Posts: 7,706 Likes (Received): 3748	yep If you ever come to UK, you have to visit Brighton. Its everything thats good about London - cosmopolitan vibe, youthful populace, leftfield politics, buzzing nightlife and thousands of white Regency era buildings, all by the sea - but without the crime, litter, breakdowns and commuting. It's said one fifth of the population is LGBT, and the many English language schools ensure a cosmopolitan and young student population. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr Last edited by the spliff fairy; January 14th, 2009 at 03:49 AM.

January 13th, 2009, 10:03 PM	#20
flesh_is_weak Oberste Richter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canadian Northwest Passage Posts: 1,866 Likes (Received): 8	the kensington market pictures reminded me of something really urgent: buy clothes for summer...i flew in last fall so i didn't bother to pack some summer clothes