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Things To Do Today In London: Monday 10 October 2016

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Discuss Ladybird books at Conway Hall

Things to do today:

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL: Surf the waves of Iceland and see the beach beauty of Indonesia without getting your feet wet at Ocean Film Festival at Union Chapel in Islington. Various prices, book in advance, until 14 October

ARCHITECTURAL WALK: Take a guided walk in Hammersmith, discovering the homes and studios of the print makers, sculptors and fabric designers who established themselves in Brook Green. £5.90, book in advance, 11am-12.30pm

US PRESIDENCY: Radio 4's Justin Webb and American artist Marisa J Futernick discuss the role of personal narratives in the US elections and presidency at the British Library. The event celebrates the publication of Futernick’s new book of short stories and photographs, 13 Presidents. £8, book in advance, 6.30pm-8pm

CANADIAN THANKSGIVING: Turkey poutine, pumpkin pie and cups of Tim Hortons Coffee are on the menu at White Mustache's Canadian Thanksgiving. There's live music too. £12-£20, book in advance, 6.30pm-11pm

GIN SOCIAL: Sample Graphic Bar Soho's gin of the month (plus the cocktail of the month) at the Gin Social, a monthly get-together of gin enthusiast. £5.90, book in advance, 6.30pm-8pm

NORDIC CRIME: Author Thomas Rydahl discusses the themes of his debut crime novel The Hermit with UCL Lecturer Dr Jakob Stougaard-Nielsen, as well as the issues of translating into English. Takes place at the Free Word Centre. £5, book in advance, 6.45pm-9pm

LADYBIRD BOOKS: Head to Conway Hall for a discussion about about the Ladybird books — both the traditional ones, and the more recent spoofs — and how they reflect changing social attitudes. Panellists include social historian John Grindrod and cultural historian Helen Day. £5-£40, book in advance, 7.30pm

Good cause of the day

COMEDY NIGHT: To mark World Mental Health Day, comedians including Phil Wang, Catherine Bohart, and sketch triangle Two Plus Ones performa at The Troubadour on Old Brompton Road. All proceeds from The Troubador's Country Mile Comedy Club will go to the SHM Foundation, a charity working globally to making a positive social change in learning and citizenship. £3.50-£5, book in advance, 8pm


What Is There To Do In Streatham?

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Streatham wouldn't have three railway stations if it wasn't worth visiting. Whether you're planning a trip, or just need to kill some time in the area, here's a quick guide.

Photo: Matt Brown

Get to know Streatham

The Streatham Society puts on occasional free walks around town, as well as hosting talks on local history (the area has a fascinating past as a spa town). Or just dip into the latest newsletter.

Take to the ice

An ice rink is for life, not just for Christmas, and Streatham is home to one of London's only permanent ice rinks — and it's Olympic-sized too (move over Torvill and Dean). Events throughout the week include public and family skating sessions — see website for times and prices.

Watch ice hockey

Photo: Jason_Cobb

If you find yourself in Streatham on a winter weekend, it's worth checking the Streatham Redskins match fixtures. The ice hockey team play out of Streatham Ice Rink, and even if you're a complete newbie, it's pretty simple to follow (just know it can get violent).

Go for a dip

In the same leisure centre as the ice rink is a 25m long swimming pool. While away some time ploughing up and down the lanes.

If you've got the kids in tow, there's also a soft play area.

Explore the secret garden

It's no secret that we love The Rookery, a secret(ish) garden, hidden at the top of Streatham Common. Take the effort to climb the hill and you'll be rewarded with lawns, gardens bursting with wisteria and even a waterfall — all tucked away behind the café.

Hit the shops

With what claims to be the longest high street in Europe, it'd be rude not to. The high street has plenty of chain stores (Argos, Boots, Iceland, Superdrug, New Look), as well as independents (we're particular fans of gift shop The Indigo Tree, next to Kwik Fit).

It's not short of a specialist shop or two either; Retro Game Base does exactly what it says, while Jasmin Studio Crafts is one of our favourite bead shops in London.

Streatham Green hosts a weekend farmers' market, which, although small, regularly has us drooling at the thought of the cheeses and cakes on offer.

Photo: Matt Brown

Get Jazzy

Hideaway Jazz Cafe recently (and deservedly) made it onto our list of the best places to watch live jazz in London AND our list of London's best Underground bars. In short, we're fans. By day it's a cafe, by night it comes into is own as a bar and music venue. Seeing some of the more professional bands will cost you up to £15, but most nights you can catch free jazz and blues — without the Soho crowds.

Odeon

Need a bit of escapism? The eight-screen Odeon Cinema on the High Road shows the latest releases in 2D and 3D.

Where to eat and drink in Streatham

Food and drink, you say? We've got that covered.

The League Of Gentlemen Return To Their Theatrical Roots

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It may just be a spooky coincidence but all three of the performers from the horribly funny The League of Gentlemen can be seen separately on the London stage this month. Mark Gatiss appears in Mart Crowley’s The Boys in the Band at the Park Theatre (see our review), Reece Shearsmith co-stars in Ronald Harwood’s The Dresser at the Duke of York’s (see our review) and Steve Pemberton will shortly open in Terry Johnson’s Dead Funny at the Vaudeville.

In a sense, they are simply returning to their roots, as The League of Gentlemen started out in the theatre in 1995 (winning the Perrier Award for comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe). It then moved to radio (winning a Sony Award) before finding fame on TV with three series plus a Christmas special in 1999‒2002, followed by the film The League of Gentlemen’s Apocalypse.

It returned to the theatre with a tour, leading to the West End, first in 2000/2001 with A Local Show For Local People, and then with the pantomime-style The League of Gentlemen Are Behind You! in 2005. Despite rumours of a small-screen comeback, that was their last bow as an ensemble.

Since the grotesque group broke up, as well as doing a lot of TV work (with Shearsmith and Pemberton collaborating in the even more macabre thriller sitcom Psychoville in 2009‒11 and in the black-comedy anthology series Inside No. 9 in 2014‒15), each of them individually has become an accomplished theatre actor.

Daniel Boys and Mark Gatiss in The Boys in the Band at Park Theatre. Photo by Darren Bell.

When he hasn’t been busy acting and writing for TV in the likes of Doctor Who and Sherlock, Gatiss has also made an impact in stage plays, including Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings at the National Theatre and Farquhar’s Restoration comedy The Recruiting Officer at the Donmar Warehouse. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for playing Charles I in Howard Brenton’s play 55 Days at Hampstead Theatre, and then won the same award for his performance in Three Days in the Country, Patrick Marber's take on Turgenev at the National last year.

His latest role is in the ground-breaking 1968 New York comedy-drama The Boys in the Band – the first play to put openly gay characters centre stage, which was written just before the Stonewall Riots and the start of gay liberation – where he plays bitchy birthday boy Harold.

Shearsmith has appeared in two West End musicals (The Producers and Betty Blue Eyes) as well as playing a typical comically creepy character Syd in Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen, which won the Olivier Award for Best New Play for 2015.

In backstage drama The Dresser, his character Norman is the camp, protective dresser to Sir (played by Ken Stott), a Shakespearean actor-manager of the old school past his sell-by date (based on Sir Donald Wolfit, for whom Harwood performed the same role).

Reece Shearsmith and Ken Stott in The Dresser.

Pemberton has also performed in a couple of musicals, The Drowsy Chaperone and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, as well as Oliver Goldsmith’s classic 18th-century comedy She Stoops to Conquer. In Dead Funny he plays repressed homosexual Brian, who is involved in a society paying homage to ‘golden age’ comedians — which includes doing a Benny Hill impression.

The fourth member of The League of Gentlemen, non-performing writer Jeremy Dyson, had a big stage hit in recent years when he co-wrote Ghost Stories. Continuing in the horror vein of The League of Gentlemen and shrouded in secrecy, it was notorious for its scary special effects that had audiences jumping out of their skins.

In fact, despite the warning on the town sign (above), not only have the four gentlemen been able to leave Royston Vasey, they have all gone on to flourish in the theatre in their different ways.

The Boys in the Band is on at the Park Theatre until 30 October. The Dresser is on at the Duke of York's Theatre until 14 January. Dead Funny is on at the Vaudeville Theatre from 27 October to 4 February.

Win Top Price Tickets To Mamma Mia!

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This is a sponsored competition on behalf of Mamma Mia!

It's most definitely getting autumnal — prime season to sit inside a cosy theatre and be transported to warmer climes from the comfort of your seat.

Anyone looking for a feel-good show to bring back those summer vibes should look no further than the Greek island paradise and ABBA classics which abound in Mamma Mia!

To give you an October that is significantly sunnier, Londonist readers have the chance to win two top-price tickets (worth £67.50 each) to see this smash-hit musical.

Mamma Mia! follows 20-something Sophie as she tries to discover the identity of her father. All is going well until three potential fathers turn up on the eve of her wedding. This, and the fact that her mother Donna is completely unaware of Sophie's scheming, throw a few spanners in the works when it comes to getting hitched.

The musical has all the ingredients of a killer West End show; an interweaving of karaoke classics and plot twists a plenty. Plus there is a legitimate use for knowing the words to Voulez Vous off by heart.

The stage show Mamma Mia! has been entertaining audiences for over 15 years, way before Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried starred in the film version. Seeing Mamma Mia! live, though, is even more of a singalong affair than watching the story unfold onscreen.

With awesomely 'out-there' 70's gear, and more dancing than you can shake a pair of flares at, it is impossible to walk out of Mamma Mia!'s Novello Theatre without singing ABBA songs for a week afterwards. A good idea, then, to channel your inner Dancing Queen and enter our competition — The Winner Takes It All.

Mamma Mia! is at the Novello Theatre, WC2B 4LD; Monday-Saturday 7.45pm; matinees Thursday and Saturday 3pm. Tickets £15-£72.50 available from the box office.

Prize Details / Terms & Conditions

The prize consists of one pair of top priced tickets (usual price £67.50 per ticket) to MAMMA MIA! at the Novello Theatre, London for Monday – Thursday performances only. Valid from 7 November 2016 – 09 December 2016. Winners are responsible for their own travel to and from the Theatre. All prize elements are subject to availability and are non-transferable. No cash alternative is available. The producers of MAMMA MIA! cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.  The competition will run from 7 October and will close at 23:59 on 23 October 2016 and the winner will be picked and contacted within 14 working days of the closing date. The Promoter reserves the right to vary the Terms and Conditions or cancel the draw at any stage in the event or offer an alternative prize to the same value in circumstances arising beyond its reasonable control. The entrant(s) must be aged 18 and over and proof of identity may be required.

London's Best-Kept Secret Restaurants

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The colonial-style dining room at India Club.

Despite being one of the gourmet capitals of the world with internationally-renowned destination restaurants, London has many eateries that are a well-kept secret. These are not just lesser-known places that only a handful of locals and regular customers know about. They might, for instance, be ensconced in a basement, tucked away behind a hidden door, or found in an unmarked, unexpected location. Here we round up a few that you may not have heard of.

Viet Hoa Mess

Did you know that there’s an underground restaurant beneath Shoreditch’s popular, family-run Vietnamese café? It’s something of an architectural wonder. The design is strikingly Gothic, classic and minimalist, featuring embedded dining tables with individual grill stations; plus lots of stone, concrete, and sharp clean lines. It’s a bit like dining in an exquisitely lit cave. There’s a short menu of salads and DIY steak grills.

Viet Hoa Mess, 70-72 Kingsland Road, E2 8DP

Chefs cooking at Caboose.

Private Cabin Dining at Caboose

Caboose is a word for the last carriage in a train – and this Brick Lane restaurant is indeed located inside a derelict carriage that’s been restored. You book in advance for private cabin dining, for which there’s a set menu for £30 per head. It’s available for between 8 to 11 people (12 or 13 at a push) between 8pm – 11pm.

You can take your own alcohol (corkage is an extra £5 per person), and they provide a large ice chest to keep your drinks chilled. The chefs then cook in front of you; and, for special occasions, the restaurant can also sort out playlists and decorations. The British-American menu focuses on slow-cooked meats, and may include smoked pulled pork belly, pickles and barbecue pit beans with maple slaw.

Private Cabin Dining at Caboose, The Old Truman Brewery, Ely’s Yard, Brick Lane, E1 6QL

Private cabin dining at Caboose.

India Club

This 70-year old Indian restaurant is one of the capital’s best-kept secrets. Popular with nearby LSE students, academics, writers, lawyers, staff of the nearby Indian High Commission, and even a few celebrities, it’s barely known by anyone else. Climb up a flight of stairs inside the unassuming Hotel Strand Continental, and you’ll discover a quaint dining room and bar that’s untouched by time or fashion. The charming Colonial-style décor shows off Independence-era portraits, and has the feel of a classic first-generation ‘curry house’.

Specialising in south Indian cooking, the menu is divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian sections. Simple, great value dishes include scampi pilau, chicken with mushrooms, egg curry, and snacks like masala dosa. If you’re looking for a quiet place with a difference in central London, this is it.

India Club, Hotel Strand Continental, 143 Strand, WC2R 1JA

The Quince Tree at Clifton Nurseries

There’s a pretty café inside Maida Vale’s beautiful nursery and garden centre that’s said to be the oldest in the capital. The tranquil spot is located inside the palm house, and is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Lunchtime dishes may include Mediterranean vegetable tian, salmon and smoked haddock fishcake, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder flatbread. Don’t miss their wonderful cakes.

If you’re green-fingered, Clifton Nurseries is a superb day out with the family; and the café is ideal as an off-the-beaten-track venue for a special occasion.

The Quince Tree At Clifton Nurseries, 5A Clifton Villas, W9 2PH

The Quince Tree at Clifton Nurseries

Gremio De Brixton

Snuggled inside a crypt under St Matthew’s Church, this Brixton restaurant serves classic and contemporary Spanish tapas and cocktails. Attractively presented dishes include blue cheese croquetas with quince aioli, chorizo cooked in red wine, and suckling pig with apple and pear purée. There are DJs at weekends; and the atmospheric venue is a popular party destination for those in the know.

Gremio De Brixton, Basement of St Matthew’s Church, Brixton On Hill, SW2 1JF

The Observatory Dining Room at Powder Keg Diplomacy

The Conservatory at Powder Keg Diplomacy

There’s a quirky restaurant in the bright, ornate conservatory at the back of Clapham’s extravagantly decorated neighbourhood bar. It’s an urban take on Colonial and Victorian era paraphernalia, with potted plants and light fittings made out of old gramophones.

The food is serious though. The regularly changing menu is based on ingredients that are seasonal and ethically sourced only, they claim, from the UK. Dishes may include pork chop with onion and apple purée, Yorkshire chicken with double cream and white chocolate sauce, and rib-eye steak with tarragon butter and veal jus.

The Observatory Dining Room At Powder Keg Diplomacy, 147 St John's Hill, SW11 1TQ

Al Fresco Dining at Taberna Etrusca

The hidden courtyard at Taberna Etrusca, popular with those in the know.

This Italian trattoria is not exactly a secret: it’s been around for nearly fifty years. However, it has a pretty courtyard at the back of Bow Churchyard next door that many people may not know about. You can dine al fresco in summer, or underneath a marquee set up during the cold winter months.

Classic and contemporary Italian fare includes saffron rice arancini stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, grilled tuna steak with samphire, sea purslane and Amalfi lemon sauce, and pan-fried veal chop with sage leaves, butter and white wine.

Taberna Etrusca, 9-11 Bow Churchyard, EC4M 9DQ

202 London

It’s not obvious from outside that this chic Notting Hill boutique (which sells designer clothes, shoes, accessories, artwork and books) hides a trendy café. It’s hugely popular with the locals, but if you don’t know about it, you could easily walk past without noticing it. Breakfast is the quietest time to visit; try classics such as buttermilk pancakes, kedgeree, eggs Florentine, and crab and avocado salad.

202 London, 202 Westbourne Grove, W11 2SB

Restaurant at YMCA Indian Student Hostel

Open to students staying at the hostel as well as members of the public, barely anyone (who’s not a student) knows about the dining hall inside Fitzrovia's Indian YMCA. It serves fantastic value breakfast, lunch and dinner to eat in or take away. There’s a simple menu of popular classics, including vegetable curry, dahl, tandoori chicken and samosa. It’s not fancy, but hundreds of Indian students swear by its homely, comforting fare.

Restaurant at YMCA Indian Student Hostel, 41 Fitzroy Square, W1T 6AQ

Brixton Pound Café

Brixton has its own currency to keep the money earned by local businesses in the area – and now Brixton Pound has opened its very own café. It’s a pay-what-you-feel enterprise, to keep it affordable and inclusive for the local community.

Perfectly edible surplus or unsold food from local businesses, which would otherwise go to waste, is turned into nutritious dishes. Red lentil dahl and carrot cake have featured on recent menus, which change regularly. You can support the venture by donating ingredients such as excess fruit and veg from your allotment.

Brixton Pound Café, 77 Atlantic Road, SW9 8PU

'Mukhwas' at India Club - mouth refresher eaten at the end of a meal.

Do you know of a hush-hush eatery in London? Whisper to us in the comments below...

Video: The Story Behind Waterloo Place's Funny Steps

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You've probably never noticed the horse blocks of Waterloo Place, but they were installed at the demand of the Duke of Wellington in 1830. Matt Gedge of Fun London Tours tells us more.

Chav On A Hot Tin Roof: Confessional At Southwark Playhouse

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Just off the Elephant and Castle roundabout, it’s no surprise to come across a grotty pub filled with strange people and aggressive drunks. It is a delightful surprise to find it recreated so realistically inside Southwark Playhouse’s ‘The Little’ space, which feels trebled in size and successfully engages its audience who are chatty and sociable well ahead of opening time.

It’s like a one-off episode of EastEnders in which the Dyer and more dire customers of the Queen Vic are transplanted to a caravan park near Southend. While it’s massively enjoyable as an experience, what it does to Tennessee Williams’ play Confessional, originally set in California in the fifties, is less clearly admirable.

Two ferocious central performances finely delineate the woes of women in desperate circumstances: in a performance which will win awards, Lizzie Stanton is barnstorming as Leona: an itinerant nail-bar beautician finally taking control of her own life and rejecting a parasitical dick-swinging boyfriend, played by Gavin Brocker with a butcher’s haircut and channeling Danny Dyer.

Leona is at odds with Simone Somers-Yeates’ damaged vulnerable Violet — first among equals in the absolute authenticity of her performance, much of which involves weeping loudly from the Ladies’.

Simone Somers-Yeates and Lisa Stanton

So what’s the plot? Fights always seem about to erupt but their motives and purpose are buried so deep under such perfectly crystallised surface characterisations that it’s easy to lose sight of the fact this is a Tennessee Williams play from 1970, which has never been performed in the UK before.

Is Leona really Maggie the Cat on a hot tin trailer roof, or the Blanche Dubois of Canvey Island? Probably not. This is a late work for Williams, and one which doesn’t emit the universal resonances of his bigger successes.

Couched in the estuary accent, they might be spouting Shakespeare as the words often don’t make sense in an Essex milieu – we don’t drink bourbon, or threaten to "bust anyone in the kisser" down the snarkier end of the C2C line from Fenchurch Street.

Two effete strangers appear: a soft-spoken gay man and a much younger boy who’s thrown his bike into the back of the older guy’s car in hopes of some adventure. Homosexuality was completely illegal when the play was originally set. The suggestion that contemporary pub bigotry would be as violent works against the playwright’s purpose, and fails to convince. It’s obviously an inconvenient truth for director Jack Silver and there’s some nonsense in the programme attempting to attach aggressive gay-bashing to the post-Brexit world, which is equally tenuous.

Clickbait for the gay press: this isn't a scene and no-one takes their shirts off.

All praise to designers Justin Williams and Jonny Rust. Confessional is a bravura immersive experience, with some terrifically good performances.  Do it again with a better play. And chicken in a basket.

Confessional continues at Southwark Playhouse until October 29.  Tickets from the theatre website. Londonist saw this production on a complimentary ticket.  All photos by Simon Annand.  

A Cocoa Celebration At London's Chocolate Show

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This is a sponsored article on behalf of The Chocolate Show

Chocolate fans rejoice, as a show entirely dedicated to one of the nation's favourite foods comes to Olympia, London. The Chocolate Show, running from 14-16 October, is the ultimate celebration of all things cocoa-related, from truffles to bars, cakes to patisserie. As well as exhibitors displaying their chocolatey wares, celebrity demos, and a chocolate fashion show, free tastings at the Friday to Sunday event mean that you'll have the opportunity to sample the variety currently on offer in the chocolate world.

If you thought that chocolate was only a dessert affair, Adam Rawson, former chef of Pachamama, will convince you otherwise, with his selection of small plates that all feature chocolate. Perhaps a beef, chocolate and barbeque sauce slider, or crispy cauliflower with pecan mole and smoked yoghurt will inspire you to include chocolate in your savoury dishes. Alternatively, get hands-on at Hotel Chocolat's School of Chocolate, where visitors can join in a bean to bar workshop, or put their artistic skills to the test with chocolate sculpting.

A sit down is likely to be in order after wandering round The Chocolate Show, so a good idea may be to indulge in afternoon tea courtesy of Paul A Young and The Intercontinental Park Lane. For a bargain £14, an exclusive Chocolate Show afternoon tea offers alternatives to the classic jam and cream - the menu's brown sugar scone with sea salted caramel is particularly tempting.

The main stage will host celebrity chefs and icons of the chocolate world, who will demonstrate just how they put chocolate to good use in the kitchen, and offer hints, tips and recipes for chocolate-related creations. Friday will see Vivek Singh of the Cinnamon Club, while Saturday is dedicated to the females in the industry, featuring Cherish Finden, judge of Great British Bake Off: Crème de la Creme, and Café Royal's executive pastry chef Sarah Barber.

As if you hadn't been enlightened enough as to the extent of chocolate's capabilities, the world-famous Chocolate Fashion Show every day at 5pm will showcase models wearing outfits made of, and inspired by chocolate.  This is way more elaborate than just a dress created from Dairy Milk, or a scarf made out of snickers - this is chocolate artistry at its finest. It may be what they call a good taste in fashion.

The Chocolate Show is at National Hall, Olympia, Friday 14 October 11-7pm, Saturday 15 October 10-7pm, Sunday 16 October 10-6pm. Tickets £15 on the door or £12.50 if purchased in advance. For more information, and to book tickets, click here.


Things To Do In London This Weekend: 15-16 October 2016

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This weekend's Things To Do is sponsored by The Chocolate Show.

Gripping photos of Kenyan slums and their inhabitants are on display at OXO Tower.

All weekend

FREEDOM FESTIVAL: Let's All Be Free Festival screens fiction, documentary and feature films from all around the world at five Shoreditch venues. Panel discussions, a poetry evening and a bagel brunch also feature. £7.50-25, book in advance, 12-16 October

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Striking images of 10 girls living in poverty in urban Nairobi and rural Mashuru, and the struggles they face, are on display at OXO Tower. Free, just turn up, 12-16 October

OKTOBEERFEST: There will be live synth pop, acid house and post punk music at Wild Card Brewery's Bavarian-inspired beer festival. Choose from over 30 beers to taste, including a specially brewed raspberry wheat beer. Free entry, just turn up, 14-16 October

CHOCOLATE SHOW: Indulge your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Show London. Mingle with chocolate royalty, watch a fashion show of clothes made from chocolate, and pick up skills in the Chocolate Theatre. £12.50-£15, book in advance, 14-16 October

INDIA FASHION SHOW: See exquisite garments and spice up your wardrobe with clothes from designers including Satya Paul at India Fashion Week at ExCel London. £10, book in advance, 15-16 October

Saturday 15 October

Learn about the restoration of Spencer House

WOOD WIZARDRY: Head to Carpenters' Hall near Liverpool Street for the quadrennial Wizardry in Wood and see live demonstrations of wood turning. Over 70 craftsmen will be exhibiting their wares. £10, book in advance, 10am-3pm

CRAFTSMEN DAY: Meet the craftsmen who restored Spencer House in Mayfair by producing glass chandeliers and recreating the trompe l'oeil effect on the staircase balustrade. £14, book in advance, 10.30am-5.30pm

SOUTHBANK SINFONIA: 33 young musicians play music by the likes of Haydn and Mendelssohn, accompanied by dramatic light effects, for a family concert at Chelsea's Cadogan Hall. It's aimed at children aged 5-11 and their families. £10, book in advance, 11am

KIDS' SAFETY: Teach your children how to stay safe online with a puppet show at Half Moon Theatre in Limehouse. £7, book in advance, 11am/2pm

DANCE INSTALLATION: It doesn't matter if you have two left feet — dance however you like at The Secret Slowness of Movement, Laura Dannequin's installation with an ever-changing light and soundscape. Takes place at the David Roberts Art Foundation in Camden. Free, just turn up, 2-6pm


Sponsor message

A Cocoa Celebration at London’s Chocolate Show

The Chocolate Show, London's ultimate celebration of all things cocoa-related, is coming to Olympia 14-16 October. From truffles to bars, cakes to patisserie, plenty of free tastings will be on offer, as well as demos by celebrity chefs and hands-on 'bean to bar' workshops by Hotel Chocolat. Industry icons such as Eric Lanlard and Edd Kimber will be concocting chocolate-inspired creations, and an exclusive Afternoon Tea, featuring scones with salted caramel, is just one of the show's temptations. The highlight, no doubt, will be the world-famous Chocolate Fashion Show taking place daily at 5pm, showcasing outfits made from, and inspired by, the star of the show: chocolate.

The Chocolate Show is at National Hall, Olympia, Friday 14 October 11-7pm, Saturday 15 October 10-7pm, Sunday 16 October 10-6pm. Tickets £15 on the door or £12.50 if purchased in advance. For more information, and to book tickets head to www.thechocolateshow.co.uk/


Sunday 16 October

Diwali Festival returns to Trafalgar Square.

IMMERSIVE FOOD EXHIBITION: The Spirit of Surplus at Clapton Tram Depot explores the wastage of food and how we can tackle this. Tickets include a table at the Surplus Kitchen. All proceeds go towards tackling child food poverty. £13.50, book in advance, 10am-2pm

PUNCH CARTOON TOUR: Get an insight into the life of Punch cartoonist Edward Linley Sambourne through a guided tour of his Kensington home. £10, book in advance, 11am

LETTERPRESS PRINTING: From mixing inks to typing with wood, discover the entire process of letterpress printing at London Centre for Book Arts. £85, book in advance, 11am-6pm

FAMILY PUPPET FUN: Take the kids to Keats House where they can make finger puppets to help act out some beastly monster tales. Free, just turn up, 1-4pm

DIWALI FESTIVAL: Try bollywood dancing, make a diwali lamp and watch performances at the Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square. There's an Indian street food market too. Free, just turn up, 1-7pm

ITALIAN COOKERY: Cook up a storm at an Italian quiche cookery class in West London. £35, book in advance, 3pm

CITY OF LONDON: Find out about London's monetary history and why the Queen needs permission to enter the Square Mile on a free tour around the City of London. Free, book in advance, 3pm-5pm

London's Best Happy Hours

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Prices for a decently mixed cocktail often hit the £10 mark, but drinking in London needn't be expensive. Visit one of these bars within their dedicated hours of happiness, and you can sip on a Bellini that won't break the bank, or a Whisky Sour that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

Drink Shop Do, King's Cross

Possibly the only place in London you can combine crafts and cocktails, Drink Shop Do offers drinks that are as adventurous as the activities. This daytime cafe, night-time bar and weekend club has a High Five Happy Hour from 5-8pm Tuesday to Friday, where you can grab a cocktail, a glass of wine or two beers for a fiver. Try the Rose and Lychee Martini, which comes with a side of Turkish Delight, or a glitter-filled Black and Gold — just don't confused your drink and your art supplies.

Drink Shop Do, 9 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX

Zigfrid von Underbelly

We challenge you to find a more eclectically decorated establishment than Shoreditch's Zigfrid von Underbelly. Just off Hoxton Square, this two-floored bar/lounge/club has surfboards hanging from the ceiling and skulls stuck on the walls. 5-7pm everyday, and all day Sunday, the bar's Happy Hour offers 2-for-1 on a selection of cocktails, four Kronenbourgs for £10, or a bottle of wine for a reasonable £13. Kick back on the comfy sofas, admire the décor, and feel happy in the knowledge you've got yourself a bargain.

Zigfrid von Underbelly, 11 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU

Salvador & Amanda, Covent Garden

Tucked away just down from Leicester Square station, Spanish bar and restaurant Salvador & Amanda is slightly hidden, as all the best places are. The basement bar, with its vines and wooden booths, is reminiscent of a garden. There is a Happy Hour deal on every weekday, 5-8pm, where £10 can get you two house cocktails or two beers, and £11 pays for a bottle of house red or white, or a litre of sangria. Head down after 8pm on a Tuesday or Wednesday for a live Flamenco to accompany your drinks.

Salvador & Amanda, 8 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JA (with another branch in Bloomsbury)

Mommi, Clapham

Both a gallery and a bar/grill, Clapham's Mommi has a menu of sushi, art and culture to tempt any Londoner south of the river. Inventive dishes are not just limited to the food offerings — the array of cocktails, two-for-£10 in Happy Hour, are equally adventurous. How about a Machu Pistachu (a blend of rye whisky, pistachios, lemon and egg white), while you admire the artist-in-residence's latest creations? Mommi's Happy Hour runs 5.30pm - 8pm every day: included in the offerings are a bottle of pink fizz for £15, or a classic Aperol for £4.50.

Mommi, 44-48 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UR

Camino, Blackfriars

Camino

With four locations, Spanish failsafe Camino is teetering on a chain, but don't let that put you off. The best site is undoubtedly the Blackfriars restaurant, which has a dedicated wine and cava bar in the basement. Whether you're after a courtyard for warm evenings, or a game of table football to avoid awkward conversation, Camino has it all. With a Happy Hour Monday to Friday, 4-6pm when all draught beers, cocktails and wines are 2-for-1, Camino is a great City spot for a post-work tipple.

Camino, 33 Blackfriars Lane, EC4V 6EP

Barrio Shoreditch

Barrio Shoreditch

Shoreditch was bound to feature more than once on this list. The concentration of bars in Hipster Central means that there are a fair few Happy Hours around. Latin-inspired Barrio Shoreditch has some pretty bright, quirky and colourful décor, with timber booths for a spot of privacy, and opportunities for dancing at the Samba or Soul nights. Barrio is, of course, a Shoreditch establishment so likes to be individual: rather than have a Happy Hour, the bar runs an Amigo Hour: daily until 8pm, cocktails and beer are £5, and there is also £5 off certain wines.

Barrio Shoreditch, 141-143 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE

Covent Garden Cocktail Club

London Cocktail Club

Part of the London Cocktail Club, the Covent Garden Cocktail Club is a tad more exclusive, requiring membership (only £2) to enter. Once inside this bar underneath the Arts Theatre, there are deals to be had. Crazy concoctions like a Brixton Riot (lychee and peach martini with a flaming passionfruit), or a Harry Potter inspired Butterbeer, which mixes vanilla vodka with Jack Daniels Honey, caramel syrup and London Pride, are as tasty as they sound. Just £12 for two of these beauties is a no-brainer. Drop by for Happy Hour which runs from 4:30-7pm Tuesday to Saturday, and all day on a Monday.

Covent Garden Cocktail Club, 6-7 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JB

Bunga Bunga

Known as the 'Englishman's Italian', Bunga Bunga in Battersea offers a mix of karaoke, pizza and cocktails. All night from 6pm on a Wednesday, cocktails are 2-for-1. Favourites such as Cosmopolitans, Mai Tais and Margaritas are tempting, or to be marginally more Italian, an Espresso Martini is a good shout. If a Wednesday doesn't suit you, head there on a Monday, when students and SW11 residents can get pizza for a pound when buying anything else, or Tuesday where a sourdough pizza and a glass of fizz costs just £10.

Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA

BOHO

Boho Camden

Among the crowds of tourists, a Camden side street is hiding a little bar called Boho, a haven of good tunes, British food and drinks deals. Whether you stick to a classic Mojito or go for a stronger Zombie, you can get two for £9 in their Happy Hour, which runs from 4-7pm every day, and all day on Sundays. As well as this, 2-for-1 pizzas on a Tuesday and resident DJs on a Friday and Saturday night make the bohemian bar a popular spot for a night out in Camden.

BOHO Camden, 6 Inverness Street

Patch

Very much a 'City' establishment, Patch describes itself as specialising in Happy Hours, if that is at all possible. The Happy Hours are perfect for the after-work crowd, running from 4:30-7pm every weekday, and all day on a Tuesday. All wines and spirits have 50% off, or you can get five beers for £15. Cocktails are also 2-for-1, and range from the sophisticated Lychee Spritz (vodka, limoncello, lychee and rosecco) to the more gender-specific City Lady (gin, Aperol, raspberries and prosecco). More adventurous are the herb-tinted Basiliscious, which is a gin, basil and tonic concoction, or holiday-inspired Greek Pina, with rum, Malibu, yoghurt liqueur and pineapple juice.

Patch, 58-60 Carter Lane, EC4V 5EA

And now for the chains...

As well as these beauties, London's many chains deserve a mention:

  • Be At One offers 2-for-1 in all of its branches across the city,
  • Benito's Hat is a solid option if you want a burrito washed down by bargain Margaritas.
  • London Cocktail Club's themed bars have quirky drinks at 2 for £12 during their Happy Hour, and often all day on a Monday.
  • For the longest Happy Hour we've found, make your way to Las Iguanas (favourite locations are the Spitalfields and Royal Festival Hall sites) for a Latin American night, where there are 25 cocktails on offer for 2 for 1 all day every day, to celebrate the restaurant's 25th birthday. Cheers to that.

London News Roundup: The Christmas Lights Are Up In Oxford Street

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These were the 2014 Christmas lights. Thankfully this year's haven't been switched on just yet. Photo: Nathalie Fayaud

Things To Do Today In London: Tuesday 11 October 2016

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Visit the Tower of London after hours. Photo: NickyJameson

Things to do today:

LUNCHTIME THEATRE: Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, comedy The Gin Chronicles: A Scottish Adventure is the lunchtime performance at St Bride Foundation near Blackfriars. £7, book in advance, 1pm

MARY POPPINS TOUR: Visit the locations that inspired PL Travers' novel, Mary Poppins, and discover the the difficulty of bringing Mary from the page to the stage. Tour starts at St Paul's station. £15, book in advance, 1.30pm-3pm

SCIENCE CABARET: Ada Lovelace Day celebrates women in science, so do just that by attending an evening of comedy, music and complete geekery at The IET. Speakers include a planetary physicist, computational biologist and mathematician. £20-£25, book in advance, 6.30pm-9.30pm

BLOOD AND JEWELS: Learn about the myths behind the jewels and have a go at drawing crowns at the Tower of London's after hours drawing event by Art Macabre. £24, book in advance, 6.30pm-8pm

PASTA WORKSHOP: Learn how to make farfalle, tagliatelle and tortelli from scratch at a 90-minute pasta workshop at Cafe Murano in Covent Garden. £50, book in advance, 6.30pm

DNA REVOLUTION: Vivienne Parry OBE chairs a discussion at the Royal Institution questioning whether we can predict somebody's chance of getting cancer, and what help current DNA tests really are. £14, book in advance, 7pm

LIFE DRAWING: Hone your artistic flair at a life-drawing class at Gallery Sensei in SE15 — there's a bar to help you release your creativity too. Free, just turn up, 7pm

Good cause of the day

CHARITY WALK: Sign up for a charity walk with a difference — Action on Hearing Loss' 10-mile walk around Regent's Park and Hyde Park finishes with afternoon tea in West London. The walk is on 15 October but today (11 October) is the deadline to sign up. Register for £30 and pledge sponsorship of £50.

There's A Massive African Festival Coming To Trafalgar Square

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A celebration of African culture takes place in Trafalgar Square this weekend, with free events for all the family.

Africa On The Square is an annual event showcasing culture from across the continent of Africa. Musicians from South Africa, Burundi and Mozambique will perform on the main stage, alongside a fashion show, with a drumming and dancing procession winding its way through the square at 1.15pm.

A market will take over the terraces, selling African arts and crafts, jewellery, homewares and more, with street food available to buy from a range of stalls. Younger visitors can get involved with face painting, mosaic making and other crafts.

Africa On The Square takes place Saturday 15 October, noon-6pm. Entry is free, no booking required.

London Streets Named After Fictional Characters

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For someone who never visited London (and never existed), Hercules has a lot of places named after him.

Ancient mythology

London is most obsessed with naming places after Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods. There's Agamemnon Road; Artemis Place; Orpheus Street; Athena Court; Hermes Close, Court and Street; Ulysses Road (aka Odysseus); and Isis Close, House and Street (the Egyptian goddess also gives her name to the stretch of the Thames in Oxford.

Theseus of Minotaur fame, though not a deity, also gets his own Walk near Angel. We recommend you take a ball of thread with you.

Someone must have had a soft spot for Minerva, goddess of wisdom; she gets a Close, Lodge, Road, Street and Walk.

Hercules is also disproportionately celebrated, earning himself a Court, Place, Road, Street and Yard. Hercules was, of course, a Disney character too, speaking of which...

Poppins Court, home to the Poppins Cafe, and apparently a ghost construction worker. Image © Google.

Disneyeque

Poppins Court off Fleet Street was originally Poppinjaye Alley, and most certainly doesn't take its named from the PL Travers character, which first appeared in 1926. Could the inspiration have been the other way around? It's possible.

There's also a Cinderella Path in Golders Green (don't go there after midnight).

Neither of the above are anywhere near Disney Street, which is in Borough.

For some reason, Sherwood's famous son has a number of places in London named after him.

Derring-do

Disney will have you believe that every princess must have her knight in shining armour. Maybe they're to be found trotting up and down Galahad Road (Bromley) or Ivanhoe Road (Dulwich).

There's also a Merlin Street in Pentonville. Some claim that the Penton Mound in this area was where Merlin had an observatory, dwelling in a cave beneath. We remain extremely skeptical.

But thrashing the above fictional sword-wielders into oblivion is Robin of Locksley: there's a Robin Hood Court, Gardens, Lane, Way, House and Primary School. Not bad, seeing as he had nothing to do with London. And didn't exist.

Little Dorrit: a popular choice.

Literary

No surprise who the two literary greats battling it out on London's streets are. In the Bard's corner is Macbeth Street (Hammersmith); Prospero Road (Archway); Portia Way (Mile End); and Hamlet Road (Crystal Palace). There are loads of other places in London named after Hamlet too.

Charles Dickens gets Dorrit House, Dorrit Street, Little Dorrit Court and Nickleby House (which is on the Dickens Estate). In fact, there's a whole cluster in Borough, where Dickens lodged while his father was incarcerated at the nearby Marshalsea debtors' prison. Look out for Copperfield Street, Doyce Street, Quilp Street, Trundle Street and Weller Street, among others — all named after characters from his novels. We don't think Ebenezer Street, off Old Street, has any links to everyone's favourite Christmas grump.

Few other literary characters get a look-in. But it's good to see an appearance from Crusoe Mews — in Stoke Newington, close to where Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe lived. There are a handful other other places named after Crusoe.

No prizes for guessing how Sherlock Mews, just off Baker Street, got its name. And is Baskerville Gardens in Neasden named after the beast from the classic Conan Doyle novel? We can't find any connection, but we do love how this address can be found just off Dog Lane.

Flanders Place is nothing to do with this guy.

Comedy characters

A number of places in London have unconsciously and preemptively named themselves after comedy characters: there's a Cosmo Place (not named after the weird neighbour in Seinfeld); Flanders Court (not named after the neighbour in The Simpsons); Partridge Way (not named after Alan); Garfield Court (not named after the lugubrious cat); Penfold Street (not named after the Danger Mouse sidekick); Millman Court (not named after Ricky Gervais's character in Extras) and Rodney Road (not named after the Only Fools and Horses character, and not all that far from Peckham)

Would we lie to you?

Batman Close

Batman Close had to get a section of its own. Surely one of the oddest-named places in London, it sadly has nothing to do with Bruce Wayne. Its etymology could hark back to when a 'batman' was an officer's assistant, whose job it was to pack his master's things.

There is also a Batman Dental Practice. How can you not look forward to going to your check up when it's called that?

7 Of London's Most Unusual Libraries

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The Wolfston Reading Room at The Weiner Library. Photo: The Weiner Library

When it comes to book havens, there's much more to London than the British Library (fantastic though that is). Hidden away down side streets, and often specialising in quirky fields, London's many libraries are sanctuaries of peace amidst the buzz of the city. Channel your inner bookworm and make time to visit some of the most interesting and unique libraries in London.

Bishopsgate Institute Library

Bishopsgate Institute Library. Photo: EZTD

Bishopsgate Institute, just opposite Liverpool Street station, is a popular place to go if you want to learn a language or attend a history course, but the library, which is free to use, is a little-known hub of London knowledge. As well as having an impressive domed ceiling, the library houses collections and archives on London's history, focusing on protests and socialism. There is also a large LGBT history collection, in addition to regularly changing photographic displays.

Guildhall Library

If you want to find out more about London's most famous diarist, head to Guildhall Library, where Samuel Pepys is a specialism. Alternatively, special collections on food and wine may whet your appetite for a change of career to a sophisticated sommelier. The library of the International Wine and Food Society, which is based there, contains student materials for the 'Masters of Wine' examination — we're guessing revision for this could prove quite messy.

National Art Library

National Art Library. Photo: V&A

Within the cultural beacon of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Art Library is a major public reference library focused on fine and decorative art from all over the world. The space it occupies is as artistic as the collections it contains, with a balcony overlooking the main study section, and stunning arched windows. The library is also the V&A's curatorial department for the art and design of the book — just don't judge any by their covers.

Wiener Library

The Wiener Library is perhaps one of the more sombre of London's offerings, but hugely enlightening and of great importance. Dedicated to all things Holocaust-related, this library off Russell Square is free to visit. The open-access materials are available to examine, and special documents, fragile photographs and rare books can be viewed on request. Founded in 1933, The Wiener Library includes over a million items which aim to oppose prejudice and intolerance.

Highgate Library

Highgate Library. Photo: Geoff Holland

This public library run by Camden Council (not to be confused with Highgate Library run by Haringey Council) looks more like a museum from the outside, but be reassured that it does in fact contain an awful lot of books. With free wifi, computers, and all the latest newspapers and periodicals to read at your leisure, Highgate Library ticks all the boxes.

If you're missing your local Blockbuster and still want to rent a DVD, there's a decent collection of new films and timeless classics. Otherwise, regress a few years and settle down with a Roald Dahl story in the separate and specialised Children's Library, which also provides regular free events for kids.

The Poetry Library

Inside The Poetry Library. Photo: The Poetry Library

If verse is more your cup of tea, this library is for you. Housed in Southbank Centre, London's Poetry Library provides a comprehensive guide to British poetry from 1912 to the present day. Whether you're keen on Wilfred Owen or Kate Tempest, the Tuesday - Sunday library also hosts regular events and readings.

The majority of the library's writing workshops are free or very reasonable, and offer the chance to explore your poetic side whilst wistfully looking out at the snaking river below.

BFI Reuben Library

Film buffs and cinema fanatics should take a visit to the library inside the BFI Southbank building. Spanning the history of cinema, with a focus on the moving image in Britain, the BFI Reuben Library started off as a small collection of books on film in 1934, before expanding and moving to the riverside location in 2014. Free to use and open to everyone regardless of IMDB knowledge or hours of television watched, this is the perfect place for a pre-cinema swot up.


10 Of The Best Rum Bars In London

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There's a growing list of specialised bars in London offering a boozy Caribbean fix. From tacky tiki cocktails, to carefully selected tasting flights — our city is flooding with rum.

A rum cocktail and an excellent shirt at Trailer Happiness.

Burlock

This shabby chic rum bar (from the guys behind Opium and 68 and Boston) feels more hip Shoreditch than swanky Mayfair, with its hotchpotch of antique furniture, mismatched wallpaper and tattooed staff. It's an intimate place, with a Havana style barber shop in the corner, where you can sip your rum from a retro dryer chair. There are 200 rums behind the counter, from all parts of the Caribbean. Try the Off the Hook, with Mount Gay Black Barrel, Lillet Blanc, Mandarin Napoleon Bitters and a slab of home-made coconut Ice. Team up your drinks with some tropical-style bar snacks, priced from just £1 (for the Brazilian cheese buns). But you'll have the most fun pulling up a seat at the bar, make friends with the bar guys and they'll treat you to an impromptu rum tasting.

Burlock, 31 Duke Street, W1U 1LG

The cosy interior at Burlock.

Buster Mantis

This low-key Jamaican style bar is located under two railway arches underneath Deptford train station. It's a simple, low-lit spot where the cool kids come to tuck into boozy rum tipples. It's a short and sweet menu, with a focus on the Caribbean spirit, with Jamaican twists on classics and a powerful rum punch. (P.S, fom 5pm-7pm it’s two cocktails for £10). There's also an open kitchen, complete with jerk barbecue drum, made by a local Jamaican guy Everton.

Buster Mantis, 3-4 Resolution Way, Deptford, SE8 4NT

Buster Mantis is located under Deptford's railway arches.

Rum & Sugar

Set in a converted warehouse over in West India Quay, this place used to store rum that came off ships in London's docks. Today it's a rum-dedicated bar with a 150-strong collection. They also have an extensive cocktail list, with five different types of mojito to work your way through. Or, if you're a more serious drinker, try the tasting flights; choose from the Nicaraguan flor de caña range to the Barbados coast-to-coast menu. Feeling peckish? Team up your tipple with rum glazed ribs.

Rum & Sugar, 1, Warehouse, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL

The entrance to Rum & Sugar

Trader Vic's

This fun, chic Mayfair bar is a London tiki staple. Around for 50 years, the original owner allegedly served up the first mai tai in 1944, when a customer upon tasting the rum drink remarked "Mai tai roa ae!" which means "Out of this world!" in Tahitian. As well as this must-try classic, there’s also a heaving tropical-style cocktail list. For this part of town, the drinks are surprisingly budget-friendly, starting at £6.50. In a group, try a festive communal bowl, based on ancient Polynesian's ceremonial Luau drinks.

Trader Vic's, 22 Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1BE

A cocktail at Trader Vic's.

Cottons Rhum Shack

All three Cottons bars are oozing in exotic and colourful Caribbean vibes, with tropical beach and jungle murals adorning the walls of the Notting Hill and Camden venues — the latter (and original of the three venues) leads the way with its huge 300 rum collection, claiming to have the largest selection in the UK. The east-based Cottons has a far more temporary feel, pitched up on the Boxpark indoor terrace — it's all very no-fuss, with simple tin chairs, fairy lights and wooden floorboard walls. If it wasn't for the chilly London climate, you could believe you're pitched up in a road-side Caribbean booze shack.

Cottons Rhum Shack, Camden: 55 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN

Shoreditch: 48-49, Boxpark, 2-4 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6GY

Notting Hill: 157-159 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3LF

The swish interior at Merchant House.

Merchant House

If tacky tiki isn't your bag, check out the strong 300-long rum list at the swish Merchant House on Bow Lane. (They also have an equally strong gin list — their other big focus). The cocktail menu is more like a history book, the story of British Empire, with each of the 18 cocktails representing a particular historical event or period from this time. The Cane Field Cooler, for example, represents the boom in wealth for plantation owners in the Caribbean during the 18th century.

Merchant House, 13 Well Court, EC4M 9DN

A cocktail at Rum Kitchen - complete with skull.

Rum Kitchen

Get a decent rum dose at these lively bars in Brixton, Soho and Notting Hill. Here you'll find fun colourful cocktails — try the Tiki Negroni, for a tropical take on a classic, with Bajan rum finished in charred cask, cognac, Aperol, citrus and spice. Soak it all up with mountains of jerk chicken (and a whole load of other colourful dishes). The flagship west London venue has just had a revamp with the downstairs basement club transformed into a plush cocktail lounge. They’ve also bumped up their rum collection to 200 rare bottles (it recently made the shortlist of trade mag Imbibe's Rum List of The Year). Take note: this place is strictly members only after 10.30pm.

Rum Kitchen, Brixton: 437 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8LN

Notting Hill: 6-8 All Saints Road, W11 1HH

Soho: Kingly Court, Carnaby Street, W1B 5PW

Some pouring action at Nola.

Trailer Happiness

Head down to this hidden tiki basement bar on Portobello Road — it's like walking into a 70s living room, with wood panel walls, patterned rugs and shabby curtains. The rum-heavy cocktail list is outrageous and flamboyantly tiki — expect lots of umbrellas and drinks served in coconuts. Not to be taken seriously. This place is also in the running for the Imbibe UK Rum List of The Year award.

Trailer Happiness, 177 Portobello Road, W11 2DY

Nola

Head into this intimate New Orleans-inspired cocktail bar, tucked away discreetly on Rivington Street. They've got a long list of The hurricane cocktails (a sweet boozy rum drink), served up here with a bashed up cocktail umbrella. Live jazz and blues on weekends makes you really feel like you’ve been transported to The Big Easy.

Nola, 68 Rivington Street, EC2A 3AY

Garden vibes at NT's.

NT's

Another rum bar for those who shy away from plastic monkeys and paper umbrellas. Night Tales last year launched a permanent bar hidden between Netil House and the railway arches. There are 30+ rum bottles behind the bar. Try the Pin-Up Colada cocktail, with coconut infused rum, pineapple juice, sugar and cream. You get great views of the city from up here, with a bonus south-facing sun terrace for the warmer months.

NT's, 1W Gate Street, E8 3RL

London's Diwali Celebrations Begin With Free Festival This Weekend

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Don a sari, learn a Bollywood dance or tuck into Indian street food at the free Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square on Sunday.

The one day event kicks off London's Diwali celebrations, with performances by visiting dancers from Jammu and Kashmir on the main stage, children's displays on the steps, and more.

A street food market will be offering vegetarian Indian food and non-alcoholic drinks, while other stalls sell Indian jewellery and spices.

Visitors can also take part in yoga and meditation for beginners, or get a henna tattoo, while children can take part in storytelling and art and craft sessions.

Sadiq Khan will officially open the event by lighting a special Diwali lamp on the main stage, followed by this year's illuminations.

The 2015 Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Photo: Aidan_CK

Diwali, otherwise known as the Festival of Light, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in India and around the world. Diwali falls on 30 October this year, but the celebrations here in London are taking place a bit earlier.

Everyone is invited to join in with the events this weekend.

Diwali Festival takes place in Trafalgar Square on 16 October, 1pm-7pm. Entry is free and no booking is required.

London's Most Beautiful Bus Stops And Stations

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Not all of London's bus stops are the stand-and-shelter setup, covered in sub-par graffiti. There are some inventive, and rather beautiful, designs out there. Here are some of our favourites.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall bus station is a sci-fi masterpiece. We love it so much, we waxed lyrical about it in an article. In 2050, when roads are obsolete, this can still be used as a strip for takeoff into the skies above. Failing that, we'll turn it into a ski jump.

Photo: Louis Berk

Edmonton Green

Edmonton Green station shares more than a passing similarity to a bat. Rather than sucking your blood or heralding the arrival of a well-known caped crusader though, this bat will keep you warm and dry on a rotten evening in north London. And you can shout "To the Bat-mo-bus!" too.

Photo: LFaurePhotos

Lego Bus Stop

The Lego Bus Stop — briefly outside Hamley's in 2014 — ranks highly on London's list of all-time greatest product placement. For who wouldn't want to pop into the shop and buy a bumper collection of Lego under the auspices that you can build something just as ingenious. Let's bring this back, add cement and make it permanent.

Photo: Sean Batten

Stratford

The canopy of Stratford bus station reminds us a bit of a wedding marquee. Good things happen in wedding marquees, like free cake. And free booze. When we're waiting for a bus on a gloomy night in the dead of winter, this brightly-lit spot is where we'd like to be.

Photo: LFaurePhotos

Newbury Park

Brutalism is a divisive style, but for those who see wonder in the efficient, Newbury Park bus stop is particularly special. The only shelter on this list to be Grade II listed, it was designed by Oliver Hill and opened in 1949. It's stood the test of time.

Edible Bus Stop

The team behind the Edible Bus Stop have concocted the ambitious plan to turn all the stops along the 322 route into design-led community growing spaces and thriving neighbourhood hubs. This is one of their early efforts outside Lambeth Hospital; it's now entirely cared for by the local community. Expect many more to come.

Photo: © 2016 The Edible Bus Stop® All Rights Reserved

Southwark Street

This is as ordinary a bus stop as one can find. What makes the offering on Southwark Street so special is the chameleon-esque way it blends into its surroundings. It's the most beautiful bus stop you might continually fail to notice.

What's your favourite place to wait for a bus in London? Tell us in the comments.

The Londoners Paid To Clean Houses Naked

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Recently, when speaking to men who post sex-for-rent ads on Craigslist, I also discovered a niche market of those who offer to clean homes naked in London.

If you're unfamiliar with Craigslist, this classifieds site offers everything from storage space to second hand skateboards. In the Household section, under Services, I found a spate of ads offering commando cleaning. "I offer a thorough and spotless cleaning service for private residential households in the NUDE!!!!" says one. "Loves being naked, cleaning, serving and doing all manner of household chores," says another.

Ricki's ad.

While up to 90% of the UK's domestic industry is female, most of the ads offering naked cleaning were placed by men. I decided to speak to three of these men to find out what it was all about.

Matt is a well-spoken 18 year-old who describes himself online as a "broke student living in London saving up for a laptop." Is that really true, we wonder? "I really am, I’m absolutely broke!" Matt says. His dad, he tells us, is a single parent in a difficult financial situation. "It's complicated", says Matt, "but I'm not receiving student finances this year.

"He has to support me and he doesn't have the funds. I thought I'd do this to take the load off him."

Matt saw his first client just a few days ago. "This guy in south London booked me for two hours of cleaning. He wanted me to do some ironing — naked of course. He only had eight items, so I took my time and stretched it out to 45 minutes, then there was nothing to do." Was the guy expected anything more? "He was quite handsy. He had the ironing basket behind him, so every time I finished a piece, I put it in the ironing basket, and when I bent over, he'd fondle my dick and arse."

Matt's Craglist ad.

Matt says he asked the client not to touch him, but when he'd finished ironing, the client asked Matt to sit on his lap. "He was fully clothed. He cuddled me a bit, then he was more aggressive, and I told him to calm it down. When he started trying to kiss me, I pulled away and told him no.

"He got very embarrassed. That's when he told me to leave."

Did Matt feel he could say no? "It was very awkward, but I didn't feel like I was being forced. I know you hear these sob stories from 18 year-old girls from broken homes who go on the streets to put themselves through college — it's not like that. I'm doing it of my own will."

Matt's client, who was in his late 30s, had paid him £60 for two hours' cleaning up front. Had Matt told anyone where he was going? "I don't have any friends who'd be sympathetic," he says, "They wouldn't understand why I'm doing this — they'd say get a job in a newsagent."

More naked cleaning ads.

Matt says he'll continue cleaning naked until he's saved up for a laptop, then, "I might do it a bit more for spending money." But considering the experience he's had, what makes him willing to do it again?

"I understand why it might seem I'm in a vulnerable situation but I don't mind," he says, "I enjoy the exhibitionist aspect of it. I enjoy being naked in situations where it's not socially acceptable to be naked, but it's technically allowed."

Matt describes himself as straight, but says his naked cleaning service is aimed at men. Why's that? "I wouldn't mind cleaning for a woman but I thought there was 0% chance of a woman replying. Men are more open — I tell them I’m bisexual."

So his client did really book him for the ironing? "I think he wanted company and to have a naked boy around. He's probably too embarrassed to admit it."

Ricki is 38 and lives in north London. He started modelling naked for art classes 15 years ago, then, he says, it 'progressed into something more adventurous.' He's now been doing naked cleaning for five years and has regular clients.

"There's a rapport," he says, "they know they can trust me and I get the work done. It's not rocket science, it's a bit of titillation." Like Matt, Ricki describes himself as bisexual. He also has a few female clients, but says he's predominantly booked by men over 40.

Ricki poses naked for his ad.

Ricki explains the dynamic known as CMNM, (clothed male, naked male). "It's a fetishism for people to be clothed in the company of naked people," he says, "and people like me are comfortable being naked in the company of clothed people."

So whose itch is being scratched when Ricki cleans naked — his own or his client's? "It can be both," he admits.

Ricki says the men who book him aren't necessarily gay, but some may be in denial. "In adolescence," he explains, "I think most guys have feelings they don't know what to make of. They're not sure if the emotions they have for other guys are romantic or sexual. As adults, these guys are using my naked cleaning as a premise to explore those feelings in a safe environment where they're in control."

I'm comfortable with it progressing to something sexual, but that's not what I'm selling. The service I'm selling is my time.

Sometimes the naked cleaning progresses into something more. Says Ricki, "There's eye contact that's more than friendly and body language that indicates what they're looking for, but are too afraid to ask." Other times the client will ask if they can touch, or if they can take Ricki's clothes off themselves. "I'm comfortable with it progressing to something sexual, but that's not what I'm selling — the service I'm selling is my time."

Ricki charges £50 for up to two hours, and £10 for every additional hour. He tells me only one in 20 bookings turn into something sexual, and if it does, "it's not going to cost extra." According to Ricki, it's all about the anticipation: "They enjoy fantasising about actions progressing. They're happier when it doesn't happen, but know it could."

The question is, with all this going on, is he actually doing a proper cleaning job? "Yes, but nothing heavy — I haven't got my head in the oven! It's ironing and hoovering mainly."

Craiglist is rife with these kinds of ads.

Ricki's clients tend to be working from home, "glancing at me in the periphery — it's very voyeuristic.

"I’ll be scrubbing the floor on all fours, so they can get a good look and they'll say things like 'rub it harder.' I take longer doing those tasks, knowing they're enjoying it. They pride themselves on looking and not touching."

The customers tend to be friends of friends and Ricki says he's never had a bad experience. "I'm in a vulnerable state perhaps, but I never feel vulnerable. I'm not a tough guy, but I'm secure in myself and that puts clients at ease. I'm there to be objectified, I'm there to be submissive, but deep within, I am assertive and I wouldn't put up with anything that would make me feel unsafe."

Jay, 36, works full time in accountancy. Like Ricki, Jay started out life modelling for art classes. "I was shy when I was younger, and not confident in myself. I don't know why, but I decided to do life modelling. I liked it and it’s all spun on from there."

It's nice to be appreciated, and desired. It's an ego boost, if you like me enough to pay me to do something naked.

His confidence has increased since he started getting his kit off: "It's nice to be appreciated, and desired. It's an ego boost, if you like me enough to pay me to do something naked."

Jay is straight, but accepts bookings from men as well as women. He's been doing this for a year, and has a handful of clients, most in their 40s. Jays says his clients claim to live alone, "which is strange because some of the places they live in are big family houses and I think, why do you need so many rooms if you live by yourself?

"But there's no sign of any family pictures."

Jay's online ad.

So are the men who book him gay? "Probably bi, or they might just be voyeuristic."

Increased confidence isn't the only reason Jay cleans houses naked. He charges £50 an hour for a minimum of two hours, explaining, "living in London’s expensive, even if you have a full time job. Anything that supplements that is a bonus."

He also enjoys it: "I've got OCD so I like cleaning. People find that weird, but for me, it's therapeutic."

What does Jay think his clients get out of it? "Maybe it’s a power thing — they're dressed and you're not, so in a way you're vulnerable. You're exposed and they're not, so you’re on a different level."

I've got OCD so I like cleaning. People find that weird, but for me, it's therapeutic.

Jay has experienced sexual come-ons from both male and female clients. The men, he says, "will grope me or give me a pat on the bottom. It's a bit weird, but it doesn't bother me. If it went further, I might have to say something."

But he has a different track record with female clients: "If they’re attractive, I do give in — I think, 'well, I am single!'" So does he hope for bookings with attractive women who'll want to take it further? "I don’t expect it, or I'd be going in with a different frame of mind — but I do hope!"

For Jay, the naked cleaning is almost an act of rebellion. "I was brought up in a strict Asian household, it was very reserved. It's only recently that I've come out of my shell and found there’s another side to me. It's like, 'OK, this feels exciting!'"

Secrets Of Highgate Cemetery

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Highgate Cemetery is perhaps the most famous of London's 'magnificent seven' burial grounds. Following its Victorian heyday, it fell into ruin during the early 20th Century. It's made a comeback since The Friends of Highgate Cemetery took over, and is now a popular tourist destination — visitors coming to see the final resting place of Karl Marx, George Eliot, Michael Faraday, Douglas Adams and many more. Here are some lesser-known titbits about the cemetery and its residents.

Photo: ingrid.bo

1. It's the resting place of Britain's great forgotten adventurer

The name might not ring a bell but it really should. James Holman is possibly the greatest and bravest adventurer in history. For he did it all blind — his aim to prove that his handicap was a motivator, not a hindrance.

One of his greatest achievements was hiking up Vesuvius, then skirting around its rim. He claimed that because he couldn't see the drop beneath him, he had nothing to fear. Holman also trekked 3,500 miles to reach Irkutsk in Eastern Siberia. Unfortunately, once he reached his destination, he was sent home — accused of being a British spy. Later in life he managed to visit Africa, South America, China and India.

Holman published his experiences in travel journals, but Victorians were dismissive of the notion that someone blind could achieve so much. They viewed those with disabilities as people to provide for. They were particularly sceptical of his claims he could see where objects were by tapping his stick and listening for where the sound bounced off — an early form of echolocation. These doubts led to his books selling poorly and he ended his days in dismal poverty.

2. Leaning to the left

Karl Marx and his political theories have been divisive to say the least. The hatred Communism inspired in the 20th century led to many attempts to vandalise and destroy the bust of Marx in the cemetery. One particularly notable attempt came with an attempt to blow it up. This failed miserably, but rather aptly left the statue leaning ever so slightly to the left.

3. More things are alive here, than dead

Highgate Cemetery grew into disrepair in the 20th century, before finally taken over by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery in 1975. While humans had all-but forgotten about the cemetery, the natural kingdom had taken over. Highgate is now home to abundant wildlife including 40 species of birds and 20 different types of butterflies, as well as foxes, owls and badgers. The combination of this and the wild flowers, overgrown ivy and ferns led to Highgate Cemetery becoming added to the English Heritage Register of Parks Interest in 1987.

4. It's got a radioactive proof grave

Highgate Cemetery houses many murder victims from the Victorian period. But it's also the final resting place of the victim of one of the most high profile murders from recent times. Alexander Litvinenko was tragically murdered through radioactive poisoning in London's Millennium Hotel in 2006. His body is buried 12ft-deep in a lead lined coffin, to avoid the risk of any visitors contracting radioactive poisoning themselves.

5. Its most well attended funeral wasn't probably what you expected

It was the funeral of Thomas Sayers that attracted roughly 10,000 people (as opposed to the miserly 11 that turned up for Karl Marx).

Sayers was an extremely successful bare knuckle boxer and his career culminated in a fight with American John Camel Heenan, which is widely considered the first (unofficial) world championship bout. The match ended in a draw after nearly two hours, when Heenan attempted to strangle Sayers and the crowd invaded the ring. Sayers retired from the sport and his fans raised £3,000 for their hero to live on after the great fight. He died of tuberculosis just four years later, but his fame hadn't wilted. The funeral procession was trailed by the chief mourner, Sayer's dog Lion. He too is memorialised at the gravesite, lying at the bottom in stone, loyally guarding his master.

6. The exploding coffins issue

The Victorians were obsessed with ancient Egypt, and and this translated to their burials. Highgate Cemetery's catacombs were built for those who wanted to be buried above ground in the same fashion as Egyptians.

Less well-known, is that this was at first somewhat of a disaster. The Victorians had to contend with regulations stating that those buried in this fashion had to have their tombs encased in lead, for fear of miasma (gasses which Victorians believed caused illness) leaking out.

As the bodies decayed, a build up of noxious gasses would fill the coffin, and in extreme cases they would explode. Eventually a solution was agreed upon whereby a small hole was drilled in the coffin, and a pipe was placed in it. A lighted match was then applied to the pipe and resulted in a flame burning of the gasses "hygienically" — lasting for up to three weeks.

Photo: Past London

7. Alongside gothic masterpieces lies postmodern brilliance

Don't just check out the Victorian parts. Highgate Cemetery is still functioning and people are still buried here today. (As the cemetery states: "To buy a plot in advance you must be over 80 years of age or terminally ill.") Artist Patrick Caulfield's tombstone is particularly worth hunting down, for its rather brutal honesty. Sculpted into it is the word DEAD (and you really can't disagree with that assessment of the situation).

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