If the past two years have shown anything, it’s to not take anything for granted and celebrate wins in full whenever they happen. That’s why we were truly delighted to find out that we’ve been awarded Best New Culture Spot in Time Out London’s 2021 Best of the City awards!

Considering we have only been open just shy of two and a half months, it’s a huge honour to be recognised like this, and to be listed among such a high calibre of eateries & entertainment venues across the capital.

We officially opened Woolwich Works to the public in September this year and since then we have hosted an array of shows from art exhibitions to music, comedy, dance and cabaret.

It all started with the launch night on Wednesday 22 September, and the atmosphere that night was electric. Our stage was lit with performances from Woolwich local and highly acclaimed MC & Grime artist Afrikan Boy, the soul legend Mica Paris, the brilliant National Youth Jazz Orchestra, as well as the wonderful Woolwich Works Community Choir. The latter enjoyed their time together so much, they now meet weekly to rehearse onsite.

One thing we’re incredibly proud of is the diversity in our programming. Every week looks different and that’s how we like it! The first few days of our opening saw performances from Latin jazz big band New Regency Orchestra, singer-songwriter Andrew Ashong, and a improvised jazz night THE RE: featuring Jazz FM award-winning pianist Ashley Henry, rising star trumpeter and producer Emma-Jean Thackray and Mercury Prize-nominated saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings.

We kicked off October, our first full month open, with a free exhibition celebrating Black History Month called Black in Full Colour. This was curated by The Collective Makers – two local visual artists, Lison Sabrina Musset and Joseph Ijoyemi. The exhibition presented the work of some of the best emerging black visual artists in London and ran for the whole month to huge success, with many people asking when we will be hosting another exhibition – watch this space!

Another big night in our calendar was Live At The Works with Sara Pascoe, an acclaimed writer and comedian she performed to a packed out audience in The Fireworks Factory with support from Ed Gamble, Rhys James and Esther Manito.

And now we enter the Christmas season and beyond, we already have so much to look forward to. Whether it’s stand-up sensation Luisa Omielan Christmas Musical Bingo, or Baby Broadway Christmas, not to mention our huge Christmas cabaret extravaganza The Grotteaux, there really is something for everyone over the festive period.

Looking ahead to the New Year we kick off 2022 with The Grotteaux: New Year’s Eve Spectacular, which is sure to be a night to remember.

Early Spring will see both Afrikan Boy and Mica Paris return, as well as more comedy from rising star Phil Wang. With new shows being added all the time, you’ll want to get on our mailing list to make sure you’re not missing out on anything at Time Out’s Best New Culture Spot in the city!