WHAT WE DO
GROW is an independent, self-organised music and arts venue, bar and kitchen in Hackney Wick, founded in 2014.
We host a diverse cultural events programme that celebrates and nurtures both local and international creative talent. GROW is part of a wider ecosystem of artist studios established in 2007.
An Ongoing Experiment in Ethical and Sustainable Business
We ask: Is it possible to run a financially sustainable business in London while prioritising people and planet over profit?
Our approach is grounded in this question. With a focus on ecological, social, and economic sustainability, we aim to remove financial barriers and create an inclusive, nurturing space for creativity and community.
Our Commitments Include:
Paying the London Living Wage
Using eco-electricity, and eco-cleaning products, and recycled materials where possible
Sourcing local and sustainable products wherever possible
Partnering with independent and ethical businesses
Using organic and fairtrade ingredients wherever possible
Offering free or affordable access to cultural events
Sharing knowledge through talks, workshops, markets, films, sustainable supper clubs and online
What We've Achieved So Far
Thanks to the dedication of our team, our collaborators, and our community, we have:
Remained solvent as an independent venue
Offered free and low-cost spaces to artists, charities, and community groups on a profit-share model
Redirected significant funds away from multinationals and into local and ethical supply chains
Fundraised for local social and environmental charities
Created an atmosphere rooted in fun, transparency, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging
GROW’S BLOG
Two years after their first collaboration, Guildhall School returns to Grow for Charge, a free summer showcase spotlighting some of the most exciting student talent from the Electronic & Produced Music (EPM) department.
In line with Grow’s ethos of supporting the local music scene and platforming emerging artists, this special night will feature a dynamic line-up of live bands, electronic artists and DJs. It reflects both the diversity of the Guildhall cohort and Grow’s eclectic programming. Expect original music spanning alt-folk, experimental electronica, cinematic alt-pop and more.
Ahead of the show on Monday 24 June, we caught up with two of the featured artists, Sister (siblings Sonny and Sadie) and James Józef, to learn more about their creative process, musical influences, and why grassroots venues matter.
We’re thrilled to be part of ‘London Creates Music’, a cross-city campaign launched today by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to celebrate and support the capital’s world-leading grassroots music scene!
We’re excited to introduce Gionatan Scali as the latest artist featured in our mezzanine gallery at Grow Hackney. With a captivating mix of creativity and personal experience, Gionatan’s work reflects both his musical journey and evolving visual exploration. From abstract landscapes to deeply emotive expressions, his paintings invite you to delve into a world of colour, texture, and meaning.
Join us on Tuesday 28 January from 6pm in Hackney Wick for an evening exploring the outcomes of experimental project - Speculative ReMemory. The event includes audio and visual work made as part of an engagement project run by the Grow team at Alice Billing House in Stratford.
Maybe you’re looking to organise a group to come together to learn a language, talk about art or a host book club? We encourage you to book yourself a table or two at Grow to host the group at no cost to you.
As 2025 begins, we want to share some updates about our event entry pricing. Starting in February, we’ll be introducing a small increase in ticket prices. This decision hasn’t been made lightly, but it reflects the reality of rising costs, inflation, and bills, as well as the need to fairly compensate the artists and promoters we work with—who we truly value and hope you do too.
We’ve always viewed Grow as a garden, taking time to mature and put down roots. Our 10th year was a chance to celebrate what’s been ‘grown’ with partners and patrons, old and new, and what we need to do to give us the best possible chance to thrive as we move towards our future.
Join us for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration that promises to be the ultimate party of the year! This is the place to be for a night filled with fun, electrifying live music, and the best of Hackney Wick's underground DJs—without breaking the bank.
For Black History Season, we ran several events funded by Hackney Council’s Black History Season with some of our collaborators and partners. The focus of this year was on the topic of reclaiming the narrative.
Following on from its monumental success last year, Grow once again hosts Join-In January, a month-long programme of free events and food/drink offers!
Discover two unmissable events at Grow Hackney as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival 2024. On Thursday 21st, rising jazz star Donovan Haffner leads an exciting jazz jam, and on Saturday 23rd, experience the vibrant Love is Everywhere #5 jazz dancefloor party, featuring Tina Edwards, Jazzy Sport London, and a live performance by Masumi Endo and Foot Notes.
At the beginning of 2024, our 10th anniversary, we found ourselves at a pivotal juncture. While we wanted to celebrate a decade of memories shared with partners and patrons, we also had confront a sobering reality: without immediate investment in our long-term sustainability, we may not survive our 10th year - this is why we launched a Crowdfunder
We had hundreds through our doors as part of 2024 Open House Festival helping celebrate London’s housing, architecture and neighbourhoods. Each year, we join the festival to explore Grow’s history, heritage and contemporary context.
We're part of a curated programme of unique experiences and activations open to the public during London Fashion Week spearheaded by inclusivity and consciousness. Come to jazz on Thursday 12 September to find out why!
We’ve worked with Signature Brew since 2017 and last month, we were lucky enough to bring some of the Grow team down for an in-person tour, to see how things work at their brewery, and discuss our most exciting collaboration yet - Grow’s own birthday beer!
As the sun shone over the canal on (one of the few) sunny days this summer, we sat with Rohan under the shade of our pontoon and explored the dynamic and passionate world of Rohan’s music and projects amidst the laid-back ambience of Grow's green outdoor setting.
Join us as we mark a decade of unforgettable moments, incredible growth, and your unwavering support. Enjoy special events during our week-long celebration. Save the date!
This journey has been filled with challenges, growth, and meaningful connections. From our commitment to sustainability to navigating a dynamic landscape, every step has shaped who we are today. Save the Date: Friday, 19th, and Saturday, 20th
As part of Grow’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, we caught up with Marcia Carr, the driving force behind ‘Girlz B Like’, a trailblazing premier all-female, vinyl-only DJ collective and event series hosted at Grow since March 2022. We delve into the depths of her journey, exploring the origins of ‘Girlz B Like’, the challenges she's overcome, and the inspiring vision that propels her forward.
As we mark our 10th anniversary, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. While we celebrate a decade of memories shared with partners and patrons, we also confront a sobering reality: without immediate investment in our long-term sustainability, our journey may end prematurely.
As part of Grow’s 10 year anniversary celebrations, we wanted to understand ‘what makes up’ the unique party that is ‘Equal Parts’ and what makes our collaboration special! We spoke to Jacob Fairless Nicholson who is a DJ, geographer, climber, and resident of Hackney Wick since 2013. He is part of the Equal Parts collective that has thrown quarterly parties at Grow since 2018. We caught up with Jacob to hear a bit about Equal Parts' inception and plans for the future, including their upcoming party at Grow with John Gómez in April.