Gillett Square

Absolutely love this place... Kaffa coffee probably the best coffee I've tasted (and I'm a truck driver) the children's pop up playground (Thursday Friday Saturday 3:30-6:30) is perfect for my princesses and like I heard a saying before it all happens in gillett square" and don't forget the vortex jazz club a iconic venue it will be... Much love for this Sq and in the words of keyo "smiles""

I love to go there, I have connections in dalston, I like to go to chill out with a can, sit n have a fag, there's always music and fresh food available, sometimes for free, people smoke reefers, and although recently a lot of it has been boarded off for works on the cafes, there's a jazz club and a stage where you can stand and rant or dance out your worries, only downside is ponses

Lived here 20 years ago and it was very obviously a space designated by the police and the council for the managed kettling of street drinkers and all the other damaged folk of Hackney. It appears to have got worse, with crack dealers, their weapons and customers also increasingly gathering here. Truly a melting pot where you can witness the corrosive effects of 30 years of neo liberal social policy. Local efforts to make this a safe and usable cultural space for all are well intentioned but naive in the extreme. It needs an alcohol ban and a firm presence from both outreach teams and the police if these goals are to be achieved. Not a nice or safe place. Great if you’re a skateboarder with a yen for crack, though.

Great spot for catching rays, soaking up the chilled atmosphere, speaking with locals, nice coffees and refreshments as kids and skateboarders play. Also a good meeting spot before heading into the local entertainment scene such as the Vortex

Last of the old Hackney, full interesting characters from all walks of life.Had a real vibe at night.Every tourist should visit it to get the Hackney flavour.

Culture. Meet people

God bless hackney council more, very vital for both human living.

Fantastic place for everyone even children with children's activities.well it would be if they cleared away the drunks, urinals that are on public display with men opening their front to pee in public view. Disgusting whoever idea this was.people openly taking drugs. Barbecues lethal smoke everywhere. Someone needs to clean this drug infested smell smokey place up.

A lot of weed smoking drinkers a place of lost souls poor man's hangout sometimes the shops put on a band stand for them to sing dance don't let it consume you ever it's a rat trap