UAL opened their College of Fashion in September 2023, bringing uniquely-dressed students to the flanks of the Olympic Park in great numbers. Now this week Sadler's Wells East has opened its doors, a brand new dance-focused venue, and as the sign above the entrance says You Are Welcome.
Thus far unless you've got a ticket you're only welcome to the foyer, bar and restaurant. It's a big foyer because it's designed to double-up as an events space so you might well see a dance performance break out as you wander through. The atrium by the information desk is also high enough to accommodate two large tapestries by Eva Rothschild, each a splendid dangling rectangle resembling a jazzy beachtowel, specially commissioned and woven in Chichester.
The restaurant's called Park Kitchen and Bar and is smart without being unapproachable. They do toasties, light bites and signature flat breads, plus a limited range of mains which currently extends to Loaded squash fondant, Picanha steak, Burger or Market fish. If you choose to judge the pretentiousness of a venue by its currency format, all the prices here are whole numbers with no pound sign. Meanwhile round the corner is a bar called The Well, essentially optimised for the service of interval drinks but they do offer a slice of vegan cake or caramel brioche during the day.
The Mayor turned up on opening night (which was Thursday) and enjoyed Vicki Igbokwe-Ozaagu's Our Mighty Groove, a proven crowdpleaser which involves removing the seats during the interval and encouraging the audience to join in with the second half. The upcoming programme is diverse and cosmopolitan including an adult version of Snow White, a bharatanatyam narrative and three nights when the focus is a skate ramp.
You'll probably approach via Westfield past the Aquatics Centre but I'm pleased to see the Carpenters Land Bridge has finally been de-barriered so there's a new way in up the John Lewis end. This lands between UAL and the V&A, the latter due to open its museum floors in spring 2026, with the new BBC Music Studios completing the line-up later in the year. Given all this could have ended up as more offices or more flats, the opening of Sadler's Wells East is undoubtedly a win.
