Food, art and music: Black-owned Hackney monthly market returns to Bohemia Place this weekend

BlackEatsLDN, the purpose-led platform and directory for black-owned businesses in the UK, is back for a second year with their vibey weekend market: Black-Owned Hackney at Bohemia Place Market, championing Black-owned businesses in the heart of Hackney.

Opening on Friday 15^th April and now in its second year, Black-Owned Hackney is a partnership between BlackEatsLDN founder, Jackson Mclarty, and Bohemia Place Market, that brings to life the directory platform Jackson founded back in August 2020. In its first year, Black-owned Hackney ended up bringing together 40 of the best black-owned businesses at each event for an experience in street food, cocktails, skincare, clothing and so much more. Hosting a total of 26 days of Black-Owned Hackney events, showcasing 174 different businesses to over 90,000 patrons.

The original mission of Black Eats LDN was and is to break down the barriers for black-owned businesses who have historically had a visible lack of spotlight in mainstream media, namely Black-owned restaurants. In May 2021 Jackson transformed this into an impressive and dynamic array of traders spanning the fields of food, drink, craft, art, music and more, to champion all of the Black-owned businesses we have on our doorstep.

As tradition predicts, the first market of the season which kicks off on Friday 15^th April, will be more of a party with a special opener weekender featuring original traders from the first edition, plus street food from Rack City Ribs, What’s on the Menu Ish?, Foodies&Grubbies, along with cold-press sugarcane drinks from Pure Cane and alcoholic drinks from The Hackney Social. Opening at 6pm and trading til’ 10pm, there will be music from Mothaland Sound whose unique edits reimagine African classics & 2000s, plus eclectic DJ sets consisting of Afrobeats, Afro Fusion & Amapiano, all continuing until 1.30am. Entry is free and general admission tickets can be found here.

Traders include:

Affrito
Bon Mange
Eat Some Ting
Foodies& Grubbies
Ice Cream & Ting
Jam Delish
Livity Plant-Based Cuisine
Rack City Ribs
Sunkissed Plates
Treats Club
What’s on the Menu Ish?
Yum Puff Treats

With a full calendar of market dates, you can expect an amazing line-up of black-owned businesses covering everything from hot food, alcoholic slushes, cakes, clothing, skincare, homeware and SO much more. The event is Vegan-Friendly UK certified meaning 25% or more of goods are vegan. The event is also child & dog friendly.

Special dates to look out for are the August Carnival weekender event (Friday 26^th – Saturday 27^th August), a Black History month market (Saturday 1^st – Sunday 2^nd October) and a second-year anniversary event in summer that will be BlackEatsLDN’s biggest event to date.

It’s safe to say that Jackson’s vision of creating a space for black-owned businesses to feel seen, supported and empowered was somewhat realised, while also becoming a destination for all types of foodies to explore the incredible food cultures on offer in London’s communities.

Head down to Bohemia Market, opposite Hackney Central station, on any of the dates above to fully immerse yourself in London’s best Black-owned eats, artisan traders and many more amazing black-owned businesses.

The food desk

Bohemia Place Market is at Bohemia Place Hackney Central E8 1DU, check out the directions here. Get your free general admission tickets here.