Tobacco Dock

We visited this venue for the Hyper Japan Christmas Market. While some of the failings in this review may be the fault of the event organisers, I feel that most issues were with the venue itself. For this reason this review isn’t a one star.
First of all a quick word about the car park: Don’t park in their car park unless you drive a tiny car. The turns and up/​down ramps are very tight and you have to take multiple attempts at them. Even then you’d be lucky to leave without scratches. The lift is also perpetually broken according to someone we spoke to. Park elsewhere and walk or get public transport in.
The venue itself looks quite nice from the front. There is a large ship permanently docked next to it and the whole thing is presented quite well. The venue inside is interesting as many original features have been retained and there are statues accompanied by explanations of some of the dock’s history.
The venue is laid out across multiple floors each with various rooms and corridors snaking out from larger central spaces. There are multiple staircases connecting these. The unfortunate thing is that it all looks the same and it quickly becomes maze-​like and confusing.
What I found most shocking about this venue was the accessibility. We had a toddler in a pushchair with us and we found navigating the space a challenge. Almost all of the areas were only accessible via steps and there was nary a ramp in sight. I dread to think of what a wheelchair user would have to go through. There are lifts but these do not cover all of the venue and the one we used stank of urine. When we first asked security about how to access the lower floor they didn’t even know there were lifts, but they were helpful and assisted us in carrying our pushchair down the stairs.
The floor in various places is uneven (I noticed at least one half-​sunken drain) and steps are not marked in a contrasting colour. I tripped five times (I was wearing trainers, not formal shoes) and my nephew tripped twice.
Toilets are not easily found (we stumbled upon them by chance) and there aren’t many of them. The women’s toilets I went into did not have coat hooks in the cubicles meaning I had to shove my coat, scarf and bag through the door handle and pray that they didn’t come crashing down onto the floor. The toilets were clean and spacious though.
The venue is not fully enclosed so wear clothing that’s appropriate for the weather. While we didn’t get wet it did rain while we were there and the central areas become wet and a bit slippery.
This is an interesting venue, but I won’t be visiting again if I don’t have to and I certainly won’t be bringing a pushchair or wheelchair.

It has taken a few years, but the event planner have finally gotten to grips with the Tobacco Dock. The main problem is that it’s a bit of a maze — all these little glass walled rooms and two long main areas which both look pretty much the same. It used to be quite a bit of trouble getting around when we first started coming here for events a couple of years ago, but since they’ve gotten their act together, worked out where people were bottle necking and just generally making a lot better use of the space.
The venue is reasonably easy to get to once you know where to go — it’s a quick walk down from Shadwell or a bus ride over from the Aldgate area. My only real complaint is that it’s been a few years now and still no one has done anything at all with those ships out the front — surely they could be renovated or at least look something other than unloved and rusty. They could be quite the tourist attraction if they were used right — the signs are already there from Shadwell, just nothing is actually being done with them.

Came here for the first time last night for the Taste of London festive edition. Not too far from Shadwell station — was a great venue but, as previous people have mentioned, it could definitely do with more toilets!

It’s quite difficult to review an event space as your experience is reflective of the event rather than the space. My trip was for the Festival of Marketing, a marketing conference with over 200 speakers and 12 ‘stages’.
Tobacco Dock is a really lovely building and gives a striking first impression, with a cobbled floor and tall ships (the latter of which also provides a great photo opportunity!)
The space was good for the conference as there was plenty of flexibility in terms of the stages, which were split into the likes of social, data & analytics, and B2B. Between these are large spaces, which were filled with some catering, company stalls, and some sponsored ‘break out’ rooms.
As others have mentioned, due to the warehouse nature of Tobacco Dock, it can get really cold and there are some uncovered areas to avoid if raining. Toilets were the main bone of contention among delegates — not only aren’t there many of them, but lots were out of service and not cleaned to an acceptable standard. Plug sockets are also a bit of an issue; presumably because it’s not always for formal conferences, power is only brought in for laptops and the like, so you have little to no chance of charging your phone!
Shadwell station is about a 15 minute walk away, connecting you to both underground and DLR services, so easily accessible.

Great event space, but as a previous reviewer mentioned, could do with more toilets!

Went here over the weekend for a Techno night, which completely surpassed my expectations. The venue was really impressive, not only was it enormous, but it was dark, dingy and mysterious (in a positive way) which really added to the appeal for me. With its low ceilings, booming sound system, darting lasers and ample space for several bars and a smoking area, this is definitely the ideal venue for such an event. Could have done with more toilets though, as I felt I wasted a fair amount of time standing in line waiting to go for a pee!

I went to Tobacco Dock not because of the venue but because of the techno party that was happening there — Drumcode, The Swedish record label’s yearly excursion to London. The annual Halloween event has become a bit of a tradition for Adam Beyer’s Drumcode label and in 2014 they were ready to set the bar that little bit higher by inviting Dutch über promoters Awakenings along to help with production and up the anti by way of a venue — Tobacco Dock. Until now all parties had been held at a smaller warehouse in London.
Walking up to Tobacco Dock you’d hardly notice it’s there between warehouses and studios that surround it until you get quite close and see the large cast iron arch sign with the name of the venue on it. My 6 friends and I cued for approx 20 mins to get in which considering the scale of the event wasn’t bad at all. On entrance you arrive in a courtyard under a glass roof with a big space in the middle and a balcony that goes all the way round the outside. The courtyard feels like you’re inside the building but it must be classed as still being outdoors as you are able to smoke there. Quite handy for all the smokers!
The building I believe was built around the Victorian times and has kept its original look with updates to make it a fully functioning modern event space. With it’s red brick and industrial mettle throughout and courtyard in the middle it kind of feels like a Victorian mall!
The venue is huge with numerous rooms and spaces. On the website it appears to be as suitable for conferences as it is for techno parties. The main room was where the main Drumcode artists played which is a wide vast room perfect for big room headliners. Room 2 had more of a low ceiling intimate feel (still pretty massive though!) and lastly of the main music spaces Room 3 which was my personal favourite. Room 3 is the basement of the complex that is long and has an industrial feel to it, basically a rave in an underground carpark! As well as music spaces there were handy lockers to put your bags in with no cues, various chill out areas and a merchandise stand. Oh and also pop up street food venues in part of the courtyard with food such as jerk chicken on offer!
Drumcode’s production in each room was excellent and you can see by what was achieved that this venue is equipped for many possibilities.
We had a great time to say the least. Although mainly down to the music on offer the venue it took place in made a huge difference. It was well organised and a little different from the average. It was perfect for the music I went to see there but I imagine it could easily be transformed in to something totally different, equally as good. Highly recommended if there’s an event you’d like to attend that’s being held there.

Had the pleasure of going to Summer Rites — Out On The Dock, London’s largest LGBT Festival at this wonderful location. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, as it seemed to be in a bit of remote location; however, when easily found our way there — we turned the corner and heard bass, we knew we had found the correct place.
Summer Rites celebrates everything LGB and T that the capital has to offer, combining a number of leading clubbing brands with live DJ’s, performances and everything camp in to one location for everyone to enjoy. And although it was absolutely boiling inside and out, it didn’t take away from what was a phenomenal event.
Trade, Crash, Sink The Pink et al all provided the soundtrack to a marvellous summers day.

Coming from Brussels for THE annual business unit all hands meeting, I was expecting a lot more from this venue!
It can be hard to judge a venue when you have a good time with your colleagues at the event you attend. But I’m fortunately able to separate the amazing time I had with nice colleagues and friends from the «crappy» organization at the venue.
Tobacco Dock is clearly NOT a great spot to hold big meetings and conferences in the winter! About 16−19°C in the rooms; NOT enough and the heating systems put in place did not change anything. The space would fit better for a weekly summer market or a festival for example.
The docks are reachable via DLR (Shadwell) and I have to say that this district (East London) is not one of the most «safe places» I have seen in London.
To conclude, I would never recommend this event space unless for a summer event. I’m sure your company’s money can be better spent somewhere else in London!

I haven’t been here for a while, but Tobacco Dock is a bit of a failure… It was built as a shopping mall with lots of character. Had a huge car park, and lots of nice little retail units that could and should have been filled with cool and interesting arts and craft stores.
I don’t know what went wrong with the project, but very few businesses took up residency here. The car park never got used and luxury apartments got built over it.
Now it lies mostly empty save for a couple of shops, which is such a shame as it had so much potential.

Came here for We Feast and it is a stunning venue. Really open and ethereal when candlelit and full of party people. Beautiful stonework and a pit for fire in the centre.
We loved the upstairs bar area with its art deco chandeliers and carved statues. Even the bathrooms were pretty nice for a venue holding this many people.
It is open air in some parts which doesn’t help when it rains but makes for a fantastic summer party spot.

Ahhhhh. tabacco dock, if it was not for your lack of toilets i would give you 5 stars. as an exhibition centre this is top notch. With a huge range of alcoves aching to be used this place could only be a super club if not a shopping destination or an exhibition centre.
Seriously with crazy statues and cobbled floors atmosphere is not something that this place lacks…

I got off the tube and walked the wrong way. I was going to the Prospect of Whitby but my feet took me elsewhere.
I saw Pirate Ships! Oh how I would have loved to climb the rigging and run around the decks with a sword shouting OH ARRR! and drinking grog.
Later we went back on a summers day and thought we would quite like to live round here. by the river. Apart from that wellthe buildings of the dock.
This vast cavernous area was built between 1811 and 1813 and was used for the storage of skins, tobacco, tea and spices. When the docks closed, it was converted into a shopping centre, but no-​one came and now it is an empty and haunting place. it is a grade one listed building and something really should be done with it.
I can see it as artists studios and workshops with sales. exhibition space mmm.
I quoted Dickens in my review of St Olaf and here again.
It was hereabouts that Dickens got lost while en route to Wapping Workhouse in The Uncommercial Traveller and arrived at ‘a swing-​bridge looking down at some dark locks in some dirty water’. Enquiring of one of the locals what the place was called, he was told ‘Mr Baker’s Trap’. Mr Baker was the local coroner and this was a favoured spot for suicides.
It is however a nice place to explore on a warm day then retire to the Prospect terrace for a few beers.