437 Hackney Rd, E2 8PP, London
Mama Shelter sits on Hackney Road, the border between the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney. This long road is also home to an eclectic tapestry of late-night dive bars, cool florists, wine bars and hot-ticket restaurants.
It’s classic Mama Shelter style: maximalist to the core, with a touch of the 1970s. In the open-plan ground-floor, a mish-mash of lampshades – tassled, wicker, in the shape of Mexican sombreros – hang from a migraine-inducing chalkboard ceiling graffitied in symbols and words. Mismatched chairs, Liberty London prints and shelves full of London-centric tomes, beaded masks and animal-shaped ceramics complete the picture. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it’s a breath of fresh air from the basic budget beige favoured by many similarly priced mini-chains.