Styleforum › Forums › General › Entertainment and Culture › Ideas for London Vacation
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Ideas for London Vacation

post #1 of 13
5/21/09 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to London with my girlfriend this summer for two and some weeks. I know that we will be visiting Canterbury and Kent, and will also be spending a few days in some other parts of the UK, but our time will be predominantly spent in London. I'm looking for ideas on clubs, pubs, culture, dining, fine dining (nice, but won't break $100/person for a good meal), maybe some shopping, and anything else that is recommended. Museums, theaters, hole in the wall places that would probably be missed by a tourist, and other things that you think are essential while in London. I figure that two weeks in a single city should give us a chance to experience parts that most visitors can't. Also, anywhere that should be avoided whilst running around at night would be nice to know about too. I've been told to look in to The Ivy- any thoughts on that? Thanks in advance!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 13
5/21/09 at 11:57pm
Be sure to go to Sir John Soane's museum. It's a part of the London Museum Authority (or somesuch organization) but is by far the smallest and least well-known of the bunch. It's right by the Holborn tube stop, which is the same one used for the British Museum.

The museum itself is the converted townhouse of an eccentric victorian who collected all sorts of stuff and packed his house with it. The last two times I've been, the place has been empty and I've had a tour guide to myself, eager to have visitors. Can't recommend it enough.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 13
5/22/09 at 12:45am
There are some excellent Indian restaurants. Veeraswamy has re-vamped its lunch menu, and it has an affiliated chain of less-expensive places that are emphatically NOT the usual curry joints.

My son (dinosaur expert from Hell) requested when we last visited that we go to Crystal Palace Park to look at the statues. They are right next to the train station, which is maybe 20 minutes from central London. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's a nice park.

For music (classical), look for some of the lunchtime concerts in the City. St John's Smith Square also has a good lineup, and is a nice setting for less expensive events.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 13
5/22/09 at 6:52am
I assume you've not heard of The Ivy, then? It's popular amoungst theatre goers and the famous. It doesn't have a michelin star but then from what I've heard it's not micro-gastronomy. You can lunch for £20 a head but be sure to book way in advance.

There are plenty of London things in this Guardian supplement, viewable online http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardia...holidays-trips

The one which really interested me was Barts, a kind of hidden bar where you have to knock on an inconspicuous door to get let in (if they like the look of you). http://www.barts-london.com/ I've not been but I'd certainly like to.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 13
5/22/09 at 6:55am
www.toptable.com is the best reference for restaurants in london. you can book online conveniently
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 13
5/22/09 at 7:01am
Any Area in the East End is worth checking out for the Historical aspect. Brick Lane is good for a nice Curry, I heartily recommend.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 13
5/22/09 at 11:22am
^ Don't go to Brick Lane for a curry. Go a bit Southeast to Whitechapel and hit Tayyabs or Lahore Kebab house. Actually Pakistani, but a lot of Indian places in London are run by Bangladeshis anyways. Make reservations or be prepared to wait over an hour.

Read TimeOut to see whats going in in the city that week.

Otherwise, London is a diverse city with a million things to do. I'd be happy to recommend stuff, but you need to give a better idea of what you are into.

K
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 13
5/23/09 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies!

VKK3450: I'm 18, like music of most sorts (death metal and jazz being the exceptions), science, history, museums, some opera and ballet, food, clothing, anything "different," drinking, almost any "once in a lifetime" or "can only be had here" experiences, learning new things, and so forth. There's a good chance that if it's something special to London that I'll appreciate it. Things I'm not interested in are guided tours of London on a bus, the London Eye, etc.

I guess an easy way to say what I want is to use my city as an example. There's a hookah bar/mediterranean restaurant here that is full of amazing people, has a great atmosphere, and is a great example of one of Austin's many nuances. There's also a funk band that plays Fridays at Antone's, and while I'm not in to funk, the vibe is great and everyone is having a great time.

Then you have things even visitors know, like one should go to Barton Springs during summer because it's hot, the water is freezing, and they don't require tops. However, a local knows that a better spot in Austin has tons of cliffs, less crowding, naked girls, and a bunch of people who don't have an issue sharing a few brews with a couple of kids who walked in.

Then restaurants. Sullivans, Three Forks, or Hudson's on the Bend for a more expensive, but very nice meal. Kirby Lane for an Austin atmosphere and casual food (open all night long). If you want great Indian, go to The Clay Pit; if you want a good Indian buffet, go to Star of India instead. Coffee with the girl? Head on to Spyder House for atmosphere, coffee, and booze.

A London version of that^ is what I'm looking for.

Thanks again.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 13
5/23/09 at 12:54am
There's a vodka bar in Soho that is down the street where that bomb blew up a while back at the gay bar. Pretty interesting place if you are doing a pub crawl. They have coffins as tables.

Also, being that you are young, there's a video game place around there. Can't remember where it is but its like a 3 story building full of video games. Maybe someone can chime in where its at exactly.

Stringfellows was quite cool. Dunno if you are old enough to get in or not. Be aware they have a dress code. The strippers are so hot you may come out of there smelling like child support payments.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 13
5/23/09 at 1:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seattle Bits View Post
There's a vodka bar in Soho that is down the street where that bomb blew up a while back at the gay bar. Pretty interesting place if you are doing a pub crawl. They have coffins as tables.

Also, being that you are young, there's a video game place around there. Can't remember where it is but its like a 3 story building full of video games. Maybe someone can chime in where its at exactly.

Stringfellows was quite cool. Dunno if you are old enough to get in or not. Be aware they have a dress code. The strippers are so hot you may come out of there smelling like child support payments.

If I were flying solo or with a couple of the boys, I'd hit up the arcade. However, the girl would probably tire of it pretty quick. On the upside, she's almost as interested in Stringfellows as I am.

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 13
5/23/09 at 1:09am
Found it...the video game place I was thinking of is in the London Trocadero, its called Funland and is near Picadilly Circus tube stop.

The vodka bar is called Garlic and Shots...has 101 different vodka shots.

There was a Hard Rock Cafe somewhere too that had a really good band playing but I was pretty wasted by then.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 13
5/23/09 at 5:30am
Club wise if that's your thing...

The biggest as far as I know is SeOne, normally just club hip-hop is played but once a month there's a reggae gig. Good atmosphere, last time I went there were lots of dance-offs. Security is a bit rough now after the shooting, but then it's alot safer too.

Cargo is smaller and more intimate. It has an african vibe in terms of decor and music. Plenty of couples seem to go. They only seem to serve one beer (amstel) but they do lots of cocktails. Earlier in the day they serve food as it's split into a dance floor and a bar which serves food.

With both check their websites as it really depends on who is playing on the night.

Avoid Ministry of Sound, it's shit. Fabric being the other really well known one is also not great from what I've heard, over packed and about £10 for a shot on a Friday night. But then it gets big names like Dizzee Rascal playing.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 13
5/23/09 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HgaleK View Post
Thanks for the replies!

VKK3450: I'm 18, like music of most sorts (death metal and jazz being the exceptions), science, history, museums, some opera and ballet, food, clothing, anything "different," drinking, almost any "once in a lifetime" or "can only be had here" experiences, learning new things, and so forth. There's a good chance that if it's something special to London that I'll appreciate it. Things I'm not interested in are guided tours of London on a bus, the London Eye, etc.

I guess an easy way to say what I want is to use my city as an example. There's a hookah bar/mediterranean restaurant here that is full of amazing people, has a great atmosphere, and is a great example of one of Austin's many nuances. There's also a funk band that plays Fridays at Antone's, and while I'm not in to funk, the vibe is great and everyone is having a great time.

Then you have things even visitors know, like one should go to Barton Springs during summer because it's hot, the water is freezing, and they don't require tops. However, a local knows that a better spot in Austin has tons of cliffs, less crowding, naked girls, and a bunch of people who don't have an issue sharing a few brews with a couple of kids who walked in.

Then restaurants. Sullivans, Three Forks, or Hudson's on the Bend for a more expensive, but very nice meal. Kirby Lane for an Austin atmosphere and casual food (open all night long). If you want great Indian, go to The Clay Pit; if you want a good Indian buffet, go to Star of India instead. Coffee with the girl? Head on to Spyder House for atmosphere, coffee, and booze.

A London version of that^ is what I'm looking for.

Thanks again.

Running out the door, so I'll make it quick. If you have specific questions ask away.

Restaurants - I could offer all kinds of reccos, but reality is that there are too many places in London and it would take a book. Google Timeout London and London Eating for reviews of places. Both are pretty pretty reliable, but be aware that London is a bit more.... proncy / pretentious / image oriented than Austin probably is. Result is that particularly in Soho / Covent Garden / Mayfair you end up with places that are more show than go.

If you like Indian definitely go to Tayyabs or Lahore which I mentioned above. In sketchy neighborhoods, but you'll be safe if you dont wander into the back streets.

I know you said you arent interested in the bus tours, but as cheesy and touristy as they seem, the hop on / hop off ones can be a great way of seeing the city quickly. Use it early in the trip and carry a map with you to get your bearings and quickly get all the typical sights out of the way.

Other stuff

Drinking / clubbing / partying

Shorditch is hipsterville. Or at least it was. Now the rest of the city has figured it out.

Mayfair / Chelsea / Kensington is posher. I end up there occasionally, but you'll find a lot of douches.

Camden has a lot of good live music venues. Also good on a Saurday afternoon for people watching, but its also full of tourists.

Will write more later. Gotta catch a train to Oxford shortly.

K
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Entertainment and Culture
Styleforum › Forums › General › Entertainment and Culture › Ideas for London Vacation