Sarah-Jane Scott is an actress originally from Tuam Co. Galway, she has lived in London for the past five years. Having trained at The Oxford School of Drama her film credits include Stay with Taylor Schilling and Aidan Quinn and Art is with Paul McGann. Among her theatre repertoire is The Globe and The Polka Theatre.
Where do you live?
Hackney, East London with my lovely cousin Hannah James Scott (also an actor) and another brilliant Irish woman who thank God has a proper job.
I moved here because…
Most of what I call my London family live east, so it’s where I have always been since I got the boat across. It’s a fun, vibrant place to live. I have everything I want on my doorstep. I also have a short fringe, a vintage fur and own a small bike so I thought it was the only place I was allowed to live in London!
One of the best things about living here is...
There are so many. Probably the best thing is that you don’t have to leave to have a nice time. There is always something going on or a new bar/restaurant to go to. We have brilliant Turkish and Vietnamese restaurants, people are very creative. There is also a real sense of community around here. Some very funny people live in Hackney.
One restaurant I love to go to is...
Eat17 restaurant on Brooksby’s Walk. The food is so delicious, the menu changes regularly so there is always something new to try. They have a great wine list and know how to make a cocktail. They do the best Sunday roasts too and the staff are very friendly.
My local is…
The Kenton and I love it because it’s just a lovely warm friendly place with ridiculous burgers and nice wine. My flatmates and I find it impossible to leave, and there is something in the air there that makes you have proper good chats with your friends.
In my down time I love to...
Go to a matinée at the Hackney Picturehouse. Most Mondays I am there having a lovely time with a cup of tea, a bun and what can feel like a private screening.
An insider tip on my area would be...
Go to The Green Papaya and have the green papaya salad. I would normally never advertise a salad but it’s ridiculous. I have a mild addiction.
One place not many people know about but I love is...
Some know about this but not enough people — The Theatre at Hackney Downs Studios. It’s in its first year but already has had shows on by companies like Paines Plough and also works with Big House Theatre Company, who do great work. It’s just down the road and doesn’t cost a million pounds.
Best place to go for a first date would be...
Farrs School of Dance in Dalston. It’s a great pub with low lighting so everyone looks attractive.
One place that I love to take visitors to is…
Victoria Park. I get smug about it like it’s my garden. It’s also a great place to have close by to show to the Irish visitors who are fine about where you live, but don’t really understand why you pay loads of money to live in a small ex-council flat that is very high up.
What do you collect?
Knitwear and jumpers.
My favourite shops are…
Ones that sell me delicious food from proper sources. Well Street Butchers, our amazing veg shop on Well Street, Climpsons for the best coffee ever, Borough Wines on Wilton Way, SPAR on Brooksby’s Walk. These places make me very happy.
Biggest extravagance?
Posh lunches. My parents had a restaurant in Tuam so I grew up eating gorgeous food. London has the best of every kind of food you could possibly want and I like taking advantage of this. Set lunches in posh places are a great way to try the high end side of things whilst still being able to clothe yourself and buy your beans for your tea.
If there were a soundtrack to my area it would be…
Tuneyards, at the moment anyway.
