A Bitcoiner’s Guide to London

Bitcoin is not yet widely accepted, but in the world's capital, London, more and more merchants are willing to accept Bitcoin. This article is written to support the business of these merchants and to inform everyone: what you can buy with Bitcoin in London.

The benefits of using Bitcoin directly are obvious. If you convert it to foreign currency first, you will lose the handling fee and exchange rate difference. These pioneering attempts to accept Bitcoin payments are part of the electronic encrypted digital currency ecosystem, and the value of it is not yet realized by others. These magical places are operated by pioneers who believe in digital currency, which is very interesting.

This guide will show you these interesting little places in detail from the east to the west of the city.

Shakespeare's hometown, spend Bitcoin

Welcome to the first stop of the Bitcoin consumption tour in London - Stratford. After the 2012 London Olympics, this place has regained its vitality. As the birthplace of Shakespeare and the cradle of multiculturalism, it is no wonder that Bitcoin has taken root in such a place. However, not long ago, this area banned any Bitcoin transactions.

If you arrive in London from Stratford International Airport, the first place you want to visit is the Sawmill Cafe, which is a great place to spend Bitcoin. When I asked to pay with Bitcoin, the waiter behind the counter quickly called the manager and everything was sorted. It's a very convenient place to spend the world's most popular cryptocurrency.

So the question is, what can you buy?

The menu changes every day, and I liked the whitebait with salad, which was quite filling. There is also a variety of fresh juices. The cafe has free wifi and a very relaxed atmosphere, making it a great place to work or relax.

On the same road as the Sawmill Cafe, there is a bar inspired by Tokyo game cafes. This bar, called "Secret Weapon", combines a bar and a game room, with a variety of arcade games, Xbox controllers, board games, and retro Atari consoles. It is a paradise for game fans.

There is also London's most famous Bitcoin ATM here, through which you can buy and sell Bitcoin. A highlight of the "Secret Weapon" is the Tekken 3 game console, which is very addictive and nostalgic for those who play fighting games on PS.

The bar also has a beautiful open-air space with gaming-themed graffiti on the walls, which will immediately appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in retro games and console gaming. However, don't go there on an empty stomach, as the bar only serves snacks. The lack of full meals is the only downside to this charming and interactive place.

More Bitcoin-friendly pubs in the UK

The next destination on this Bitcoin tour is still a bar, but the aesthetic style is different from the previous "secret weapon". Located on the edge of Deptford Bridge in southeast London, the Bird's Nest Bar was one of the first places in London to accept Bitcoin. On April 12, 2014, the punk-style Bird's Nest Bar held a party to launch Bitcoin and regularly hosts live events. As shown in the photo below, there are artist nights every Wednesday, and there are many small concerts and live performances on weekends. Although it feels like an old-school punk bar, the music here is very diverse, with jazz, rock, and ska styles.

The menu is rich in variety, with burgers, hand rolls, and snacks such as nachos, fries, and salads. Every Sunday, you can also enjoy a traditional roast dinner here (of course you can pay with Bitcoin!).

There are also plenty of options for vegetarians at the Bird's Nest Bar. I got a cheese roll which was delicious and served quickly.

There’s more to this place than just live entertainment, beer and food. On the first Friday of every month, the Bird’s Nest Bar hosts a new Undercurrent exhibition in the art gallery. During special opening nights, you’ll see works by visual artists, enjoy live music and a free buffet dinner.

The Pembury Tavern near Hackney Central Light Railway Station is another place that accepts Bitcoin. It is a great place for family gatherings and holds two big events each year in July and November. There is a wide range of real ales on tap, as well as cask beers from British microbreweries.

The Pemberley Tavern kitchen is particularly good at making Mediterranean cuisine influenced by Italian food culture. So if you want to buy a "Bitcoin pizza", this is not to be missed. Twenty years later, you can proudly tell your relatives and friends about the huge amount of money you spent back then: "Now that pizza is worth a thousand pounds!"

A typical English pub, there are roast dinners every Sunday and entertainment at the tables by the pool.

The heart of the city, connected with Bitcoin

Silicon Valley Rotary is located on the edge of East London, with Old Street Underground Station underneath. This area is the birthplace of many technology start-ups and is adjacent to the Square Mile, a financial district in the UK with many financial institutions and banks.

Another pioneer in accepting Bitcoin is Nin Com Soup, located below the Silicon Valley Wheel. , that is Nin Com Soup. As the name suggests, the shop is an expert in making soup. My favorite is the curry parsnip soup, which is slightly sweet with cream. Although the soup menu changes every day, there are always enough options to satisfy everyone. In addition to soups, there are also baked goods, juices, smoothies and other foods.

Nin Com Soup's industrial-style, modern-themed interior is also very pleasing to the eye. It also has London's longest-serving Bitcoin ATM, where you can buy and sell Bitcoin.

The next stop further west is Tottenham Court Road in Fitzrovia, where tourists gather on the high street to buy souvenirs. Little known is that there is also a place where you can buy high-end goods with Bitcoin.

CeX is the first retailer in the UK to accept Bitcoin. In January 2015, it agreed to use Bitcoin and test it in several stores, including the CeX on Tottenham Court Road. As of January 2016, the scope of accepting Bitcoin has expanded to more than 30 dealers in the UK, making CeX one of the most enthusiastic companies for Bitcoin.

At CeX, you can use Bitcoin to buy a variety of electronic goods, both new and second-hand. If you need a new phone, a laptop, or want to buy a new game console, this is a good place to spend Bitcoin. In addition, CeX also has the oldest Bitcoin ATM in London, but this ATM only supports buying coins.

Fitzrovia is also famous for the British Museum and the University of London, which are just a few steps away from CeX. Rentadesk is hidden in the streets near the British Museum. It is a place for freelancers and businessmen to work in a quiet and efficient environment. You can rent a desk or office on Rentadesk with Bitcoin, or set up any services needed for running a business such as mailbox, business address and phone.

From Fitzrovia south to the Thames, we walked into the city of London, where there is a very interesting place that accepts Litecoin and Bitcoin - Sushi Teacher will teach you how to become a sushi chef. Due to the limited arrangement of courses, I was unable to experience and comment, but it is definitely included in my must-do list.

Bitcoin takes you flying!

Continuing west, we eventually arrived at Heathrow Airport. Now, this is also the place where you can spend Bitcoin on your vacation!

Baltic Airways, which provides services at the UK's largest airport, has begun accepting Bitcoin for ticket purchases. However, Bitcoin can only be used to purchase economy class tickets at the moment, and passengers who want to sit in business class or first class cannot use electronic money to purchase tickets. The airline operates flights from Heathrow International Airport to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Stay at home and shop online with Bitcoin

Even if you are too lazy to go out and spend Bitcoin, there will be Ska Oriental Express to provide door-to-door service, serving Japanese, Korean, South Asian, and Chinese food. On this website, I like to buy yellow curry that can cook delicious and warm Thai meals, which is hard to find in daily convenience stores. In addition, you can also buy tableware such as sushi mats, oriental-style cups and teapots online, and spend Bitcoin without leaving home.