A Hub of Lithuanian Culture at Beckton’s Shepherds Inn

As one of the last remaining dedicated Lithuanian venues in East London, Bernelių Užeiga (Shepherds Inn) offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic cuisine, live music, and a slice of Lithuanian heritage. 

Bernelių Užeiga (Shepherds Inn) is part of a small chain of Lithuanian restaurants in the UK, with branches in Beckton and previously, Leytonstone. The venue’s decor reflects traditional Lithuanian aesthetics, featuring wooden benches and imagery reminiscent of Lithuania’s turn-of-the-century charm. The menu is a feast for the senses, offering iconic dishes such as potato dumplings, potato pancakes, fried bread, and the famous “pink Barbie soup.”

Music and Community: The Heartbeat of Bernelių Užeiga

Bernelių Užeiga (Shepherds Inn) is vital to keeping Lithuanian music and traditions alive for the community in East London. Every Friday and Saturday night, the venue comes alive with live entertainment. In the words of Ivor, the manager “no one does it like the Lithuanians”.

The performers, a rotating group of around eight musicians, tour Lithuanian venues across the UK, and play a mix of their own songs, Lithuanian chart toppers, and international favourites, including  Zilvinas Zvagulis and Irena Starosaite, Rondo and 69 Danguje. 

Preserving Lithuanian Heritage in East London

The Lithuanian community in East London has played a significant role in shaping the area’s cultural landscape. In the early 2000s, Newham became a hub for Lithuanian migrants seeking affordable housing and a sense of community. 

At the time, the borough was home to one of the largest Lithuanian communities in the UK, fostering strong cultural ties and networks.  This part of East London became an obvious focal point of the community with St Casimir, Lithuanian Church in Bethnal Green, Lithuanian health services in Canary Wharf and Poplar and Lithuanica, a Lithuanian grocer in Beckton. 

While many have since moved to other parts of the UK or returned to Lithuania post-Brexit, places like Bernelių Užeiga (Shepherds Inn) remain vital cultural anchors.

The Singing Revolution’s Legacy

Lithuania’s music has long been tied to its national identity, notably during the Singing Revolution of the late 1980s, which paved the way for independence from Soviet occupation. This historic movement saw hundreds of thousands of Lithuanians (as well as Latvians and Estonians) gather to sing traditional songs and anthems in peaceful protest against Soviets, underscoring the unifying power of music in their fight for independence. 

Bernelių Užeiga continues this legacy, showcasing the importance of music in preserving cultural memory and fostering community ties, particularly important since the start of the War in Ukraine. 

Call for memories from Bernelių Užeiga

Preserving memories from music venues like Bernelių Užeiga is vital for understanding local history and cultural identity. For Newham residents, this is a reminder of how diverse communities have shaped the borough’s story.

We are seeking memories from:

• Former staff members
• Concert attendees
• Local residents
• Musicians who performed at the venue

These stories will be used to document the history of venues in Newham as part of our Sound Waves: Music in Newham project. 

How to share your memories

📝 Fill in our short form

📩 Email: info@rendezvousprojects.org.uk

📞 Call Rose: 07880 399420

💬 Connect with us on social media.

Why Music Matters in Local Heritage

At Rendezvous Projects, we believe in the power of heritage as a living practice. We aim to keep these narratives alive for future generations by capturing oral histories.

Discover more about our mission and how you can support our work.