East London is getting a new two-floor music venue and record shop

If the news that Leytonstone has become something of an ‘it’ neighbourhood has escaped you, well, you’re a few years behind the times. Chock full of vintage furniture stores, lively nightlife spots and a wealth of proper boozers, nearby Leyton was even named among Time Out’s coolest neighbourhoods in the world a couple of years ago.

Now, E11 is getting a new gig venue to add to its array of hotspots. When it opens its doors on October 23, Altar will be a bar slash record shop slash performance space. Get ready Leytonstoners, triple threat incoming. 

Stepping inside its ground floor space, you’ll be greeted by a glossy tiled bar, curved wood-panelled banquette seating and velvet upholstery. Chop Shop Tavern’s team is to thank for the drinks menu, which features signature serves like a caprese gimlet, made with gin, tomato, basil and black pepper, and a Chunk sgroppino, a blend of liqueur and prosecco topped with lemon gelato from Leyton local Chunk Provisions. 

As for food, Altar is elevating the humble hot dog with twists like the banh mi hot dog dressed with pâté, kachumber, chilli-pickled carrot and crispy onion, and currywurst topped with mango chutney, raita, kachumber and crushed poppadom. 

Sipping an ice-cold drink at the bar, you may even notice, from the corner of your eye, a teeny-weeny record shop. Run in partnership with Leyton’s Dreamhouse Records, it’ll stock a curated selection of new and used vinyl, with new-release events and exclusive listening sessions planned for the shop once it opens. 

Heading downstairs, you’ll find a very different vibe. Picture a live gig and club night space, all exposed concrete and stainless steel, with room for 100 people to have a dance. Altar will also offer free rehearsal space for young local artists as well as live session recording and podcasting facilities.

Altar will open at 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG on October 23 2026.

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