Check out pics from our recent visit below:

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As central London’s largest rooftop bar, if you’re for looking for somewhere a bit special  – perhaps for a date or celebration –  just take the lift up to the sixth floor and stop by for a drink. Fitting in with the impressive surroundings is a drinks menu which of course features champagne and cocktails (though the usual bar drinks are all available). My favourite was the Gin Mary, a Bloody Mary given an update with bacon (!) infused gin.  It gives it an extra kick that somehow works and makes you wonder why more drinks don’t have bacon added to them.

It’s certainly not the cheapest bar in the capital but considering the location it is the perfect place if you’re looking for something special and areas can be hired making it great for a birthday celebration. As for  food, the menu is a relaxed mix of nibbly bits, salads and snacks perfect for picking and even includes caviar if you really want to go all out.

Despite  the chilly winter months ahead,  Vista plans to cover the roof and put on extra heating for comfort, so it’ll be worth the visit – just note  it gets busy and is often used for private events – plus there’s a £5 entry charge after 4pm, though they do donate a £1 to charity.  (Words: Lucy Palmer) 

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Visit the Platform Cafe, Bar & Terrace for its Persian-inspired menu or just a drink while checking out the view of London through its massive windows. With so many events constantly taking place including exhibitions, book launches, film screenings, comedy nights, themed-supper clubs, music showcases and more, you’re in for a night that will always be memorable and unique.

You can also get away from the usual crowded London cinemas and visit their roof top cinema where you can snuggle under a blanket and watch a film under the night sky. Check out Prince’s epic rock drama Purple Rain on October 5th.

Finally, every Saturday and Sunday,  visit Netil market for stalls selling everything including vintage home wares, jewellery designers, illustrations, original artwork, vintage clothing, niche accessories and gorgeous food stalls.

For more info, check out www.netilhouse.com

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Nightlife

The Love Below at Trailer Happiness, August 5th – There’s a new monthly Sunday lounge coming to Notting Hill for those cool Londoners who like their music hip, chilled and classic. It’s called The Love Below (and if you remember anything about its namesake album by Andre 3000, you’ll know you want to be here).

Nightlife

No Long Ting at The Brick Box, 354 Coldharbour Lane, August 10th – Illustrious London MC Ty curates a night of music, artwork, films, DJs, food (and cheap drinks) in Brixton – and whether this is the one-off or the start of something regular, it sounds BRILLIANT.

Activity

Street Photography Workshop, August 12th – Our sister site The Culture Club Photography Workshops wants to take you on a journey around Shoreditch where your photography skills will go up a few notches making you the envy of all your mates. One to book.

Bush Bazaar, Bush Theatre, until August 18th – Described as a “90 minute fantastical adventure” this pop-up theatre event brings together some of the capital’s most daring performers to perform a collection of shows that sound pretty intriguing…

Alternative

Midnight Run, August 18th – Poet Inua Ellams leads a creative, after-hours expedition around London to experience the capital in a unique way.  There’s food, games and “experiments” – and no running required – so  just try to hold out until 6am!

Cinema

Guilty Pleasures Cinema Party, August 24th and 25th –  This one’s for all the Madonna lovers out there, as the Troxy Cinema hosts a par-tay to top all partays, featuring a screening of Desperately Seeking Susan.  It’ll be a crazy, colourful  throwback to the 80s with DJs, dancers and bands (and we LOVE that).

Eat & Drink

Flat Iron pop-up steak and cocktail restaurant – this new foodie spot actually launched a few weeks back, but runs for six weeks only until August 28th (so thought it’d be worth a visit this month).  These guys are serving up some serious slabs of meat, so those with carnivorous tendencies should head to The Owl and Pussycat pub, pronto (Tuesday – Saturday, 6pm-10pm)

Special Event

Notting Hill Carnival, August 26th and 27th – there’s dozens of floats, good food and tunes, happy people (although a little overpacked – but meh); it’s Europe’s largest street festival and a brilliant way to spend the bank holiday weekend. See you there?

 Best bits from last month

• Something you should see… Salute
• TCé picks: Where to watch the Olympics in London
• Somewhere you should go… Basecamp at 100 Leonard Street
• Somewhere you should eat… Shrimpy’s at King’s Cross Filling Station
• Something you should do… attend a circus school 

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Alternative

Basecamp at The Book Club, July 27th t0 August 12th – TBC will be taking over a car park in honour of the forthcoming games with sporting revelry, film screenings, live art and plenty more quirky action.

Cinema

East End Film Festival, July 3rd to 8th – This annual fest on based around Londn’s  East side features a diverse range of thought-provoking flicks. This year’s programme includes an  insight into the dissident artist Ai Weiwei and unseen footage of Amy Winehouse in concert.

Arts & Culture

David Bailey’s East End, July 6th to August 5th – The legendary photographer – and Eastender – presents an insightful exhibition which focuses on the east London life during the 60s, 80s and recent years.  As part of the CREATE 2012 programme.

Music

Summer Series at Somerset House, July 7th to 19th – The neo-classical space hosts an innovative programme of gigs from the likes of Tim Minchin, Katy B, Jill Scott and DJ Abrantee amongst others.

Eat & Drink

Jimmy’s Supper Club at Annex East, from July 12th – From the founder of the sell-out success The Wild Food Kitchen comes a month-long Olympic-themed foodie experience, featuring nights such as Dodgeball and Dinner, Sunday Brunch Sports Club Day and screenings of Cool Runnings, Blade of Glory and Chariots Of Fire – all just mere metres away from the Olympic Village.

Theatre

En Route at Theatre Royal Stratford East, until July 21st –  This love song to London features MP3 players and mobile phones to present the back alleys of east London in a way never seen (or in this case heard) before. As part of the London 2012 festival.

 Best bits from last month

• Somewhere you should go… the Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party at Selfridges
• Something you should see… Tracey Emin’s She Lay Down Deep Beneath the Sea
• Somewhere you should go…The Genius of Hitchcock at BFI Southbank
• What we’ve been up to… Circuit driving at Silverstone
• What we’ve been up to… Checking out Wimbledon + learning the perfect serve

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The area in London I call home is… North London. Enfield, if I’m being specific. Somewhere people only seem to know about now because of the riots. Is it ironic that that’s where I feel safest? Who knows. My friends love to make jibes about how ‘technically’ I’m not a Londoner because the closest Underground station from EN1 is a bit of a bus ride away. It’s a red double decker bus, and I have an 0208 phone number, so in my eyes I make the cut.

I’ve got to have a meal at… Caribbean Scene. It’s a lovely Caribbean Restaurant that boasts a serious vegetarian menu, not that they don’t serve meat, they do, but being a vegetarian my eyes tend to only read things with a green (v) next to it. There are a few in London but I like the one by the Royal Victoria Dock because I have a thing for water. The ambience at the spot is amazing, definitely worth a Google if you won’t take my word for it. A Google, then a visit.

I tend to get my threads from… the High Street. I have a bit of a laissez-faire approach when it comes to my wardrobe. Unless I have a show and I have to leave the house on a specific mission to buy a specific type of outfit, I’ll usually be gallivanting about somewhere, as one does, spot something in a display window, investigate and end up blowing a week’s pay. On a day to day basis, the ensembles I leave my house in are usually unintentional, be that in brilliance or faux pas.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… definitely have an online presence. They are so many things going on in London, it can get hard to keep track. This is especially the case when it comes to niche kinda events. Websites like the Cultural Exposé amongst others, are pretty handy when you’re looking for a different kind of night out. Tip 2: Plan your route home ahead of time. Nothing as joy killing as watching your last bus pull away from the station after a good night out, or maybe that’s just for Enfieldians.

If I was mayor, I would… shut down all the shops on Saturday. Hidden Adventist Agenda?  No, but really, as much as I love the hustle and bustle of London, I do think it’d be lovely if the city was to ‘pause’ once in a while, so its workaholic citizens could enjoy the beauty of the city’s natural spots and have un-timed conversation with the city’s mixed multitude.

My favourite spot to check out art is… London’s walls, stalls, floors, trains even. I really like graffiti. It serves as the unadulterated voice of the masses, (till the council clean it up). My favourite piece is a pseudo Andy Warhol pop up piece of a girl in Tottenham. Because of where it is, it can only be seen from the upper deck of a bus. There’s a little voice in my head that shouts ‘exclusive’ every time I do get to see it.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… keep their receipts so they can claim tax back at the airport when they are leaving.  Nothing finishes a holiday like payment on exit. That, and keep to the left when walking, and, right on the escalators if they are standing. Been said before but, some people are repeat offenders.

The things I miss when I leave London are… my mommy. . . like for real. TFL (my missing it being the love part of the love/hate feelings I have towards it), the variety of food available, delivery and in store, the spoken word poetry scene, oh and black hair shops. Really and truly someone should start delivering black hair products etc. to those outside major cities. Something for the people.

My soundtrack to London would be…

Tinashe – Mr Presumption: I really like this song and think it has a particularly English feel to it. A Zimbabwean Londoner, kinda like me. :) The beauties of globalisation.

Calvin Harris – Flashback: An oldy but a goody. There’s almost a dichotomy between the deep lyrics of the song and the monotony of the house beat.

Dean Atta’s – Revolution Awaiting Warriors: It’s not actually a song but if I were to make a soundtrack to London it’d definitely be on it. The piece speaks for itself in its brilliance and beauty. It’s one of if not thee most inspiring poem I can ever recall hearing.

Labrinth – Earthquake: It has a really refreshed old school sound to it, methinks. I’m forever rewinding the bit with the trumpets at Buckingham Palace. Cheesy but I love it.

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The area in London I call home is… Hackney. After few years in Camden we found our home in East. Got a large space full of little swings and things n hula hoops just off Kingsland road overlooking the canal. Our lovely large windows guarantee that we will need lots of hot chocolate to survive over the winter. I feel like I’m at home when I’m walking down the streets and get a chance to catch few familiar smiles and heys on my way. I love the spontaneous coffee catch ups and surprise long night outings after exhibition openings. My ‘home area’ seems to be within walking (cycling) distance. I rarely need to travel further than that to find the action.

I’ve got to have a meal at… The Breakfast Club. You can’t go wrong with the number 3 wrap. Sometimes during the week I gotta grab the tastiest street food from the Whitecross Street Market. In the evenings the pop up restaurants got something new to offer and of course the there is all these Vietnamese places on Kingsland road.

I tend to get my threads (clothes) from… here and there. Yesterday I did some great fabric founds from the Cloth House in Soho. I love to check the treats of Dover Street Market and always pop into the Start in Shoreditch just cause they simply got the loveliest staff there. Sample sales and short trips abroad always rule and friends wardrobes are great too! Just gotta keep your ears and eyes open.

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… keep your ears and eyes open (again). Be with great company, look for the gallery openings and exhibitions and let the night lead your way. House parties is the way…. to keep going til the next day ;)

If I was mayor, I would… make the streets more cyclist friendly and fix the pot holes on the roads.

My favourite spot to check out art is… isn’t art everywhere? That’s why London’s so great, there’s always something going on for everyone. It’s all out there, you just gotta go and get yours. When it comes to performing arts, War Horse at the New London Theatre is one not to miss!

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… keep on running.

The things I miss when I leave London are… friends and the chances the city gives to you. The action. Surprises around the corner.

My soundtrack to London would be (name roughly 3 songs and what makes them so interesting) 

Tanlines – Real Life – RAD TIMES! this video says it all!

Cerebral Ballzy – Standing Tall – You sometimes gotta feel like 15 forever and let go. Influences everywhere, just remember to stand tall.

Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation – Gotta love the old skool tunes! People of the world unite, London, you gotta have the rhythm.

Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere – Because I’ve met some of the most amazing people in London.

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The area in London I call home is… right on the river in Battersea, which is awesome. I haven’t been here that long but have recently stumbled on lots of little thrift shops and quirky places off the beaten track. My favorite spot to pass the time is Battersea Village Square; it’s a micro hub of world cuisine with Italian, Indian, Thai, Lebanese and seafood restaurants. There is always something going on there, whether is be a wacky jazz trio playing or an outdoor zumba class – it’s all going down in the square! I grew up on a farm but I was never terribly keen on overdosing on fresh air and frankly I find wellington boots ugly and incredibly uncomfortable, so like dear Dick Wittington (and many others before me) I packed my bags and journeyed to the Big Smoke to seek my fortune. Whilst on arrival I was initially disappointed to find the streets were not all paved with gold, I have found that there are more valuable hidden treasures around the city!

I’ve got to have a meal at… Borough Market. It is certainly up there – although I am not sure you would call it a ‘meal’ more of a graze / gorge of all the amazing artesian foods they have. Places with offers on are also a winner for me for a couple of reasons – firstly they get you out of the rut of going to the same places so it’s a bit of a journey of discovery, and secondly I unashamedly love the smug feeling of getting a good deal!

I tend to get my threads (clothes) from… shops. Especially ones that sell very beautiful and incredibly uncomfortable shoes, sadly I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame… Will I ever learn?

To enjoy London’s nightlife, you should… expect the unexpected! I always go out with an open mind and try to find out what’s going on before hand. I am really lucky in my line of work that I get to hear about, and photograph, lots of really cool things that happen around London. My main tip is to choose an area and stick with it. It’s a belief shared by Londoners that everywhere is an hour away – whether you are going a couple of stops on the bus or tubing across the zones it always takes an hour!

If I was mayor, I would… crack the whip and get my fellow cyclists fully clad in neon and helmets and supply lots of flashing lights. I love, love, love my trusty stead and couldn’t be in London without it – it’s pretty much the only way I get around. But I have been knocked off a couple of times, it’s not fun…

My favourite spot to check out art is… always changing. But ultimately it’s actually my flat as it’s covered in art I adore, and lots of my own photos – it’s like a private gallery! Having worked in the art world and a keen interest in photography and beautiful things, I’m signed up to various galleries so often visit new shows and pop up exhibitions whether they be on Cork Street or private homes. I am lucky enough to photograph for the Tate Museums so I never miss their exhibitions. I get a real rush from going to auctions and love seeing what the trends are and who is buying.

I’d kindly tell a tourist to… Get out of Leicester Square and Covent Garden and try something new, there is a lot more to London then chain restaurants and people handing out flyers, I promise! Also the number 11 bus is a really good route – you get to see a lot of the sights.

The things I miss when I leave London are… hmm… it’s far easier to talk about the things I would NOT miss about London. One is the dodgy paving stones that when trodden on in the rain submerges your feet in water to your ankles. Another is the bus drivers who see you running and waving frantically but then pull away at the last second leaving you in a puff of bus smoke.

My soundtrack to London would be: 

Airborne Toxic – “Sometime Around Midnight” During the day the city is so hectic you barely have time to think, I find my quiet times are always at night. To me this song expresses that as it’s all about switching off and reassessing your feelings and thoughts without the white noise.

The XX – “Intro” A dear friend of mine got married in a photographic studio in east London and this is what accompanied her entrance. When the music started the atmosphere was electric everyone had goosebumps. The song wasn’t out there in the mainstream at that point and the words I would use describe to London also apply to this beautiful piece of music. Epic, urban, hypnotic, fresh and most of all… Love.

Cash Machine – “Hard Fi” This was released around the time I moved to London and I listened to it over and over and over again, it was kind of an anthem for me at that time and has a great beat for stomping around getting to know the city.

Check out Charlotte’s photography at: www.charlottefieldingphotography.com

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To enter the competition, simply leave a tip on in the comments section below (with a reason for your suggestion) for  your FAVOURITE MUSIC VENUES IN LONDON – and a winner will be chosen at random!

Good luck!

About the prize: Tickets to see Submotion Orchestra at Koko on October 31st

Submotion Orchestra have rapidly built up a reputation as one of the most interesting and original projects emerging from the UK today. Drawing upon dubstep, soul, ambient electronica, jazz and dub, their unique music is at once delicate and heavy, spacious and dense, highly atmospheric but firmly rooted. Earth-shaking bass and drums combine with lush keyboard and trumpet textures to create the perfect bed for the fragile beauty of Ruby Wood’s vocals, and the celestial effects of sound designer Ruckspin.

Terms and conditions

1)  You must be 18 or over to enter this competition.

2)  You can enter as many tips of you like (well, technically no more than 3!)

3)  The prize is non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.

4)  The competition ends on October 26th and the winner will be announced on October 27th! 

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• Best Green Contribution to London – Barclays Cycle Hire

It’s only been just over a year since the Boris Bikes have taken over the streets of London – but the scheme has become a real winner in the capital, with over 138,000 members signed up and more than six million cycle journeys taken since 2010. On yer bikes people! www.tfl.gov.uk

Runners Up

Go Green Car – an eco-friendly car service – a green alternative to mini cabs and chauffeurs.

Green Tomato Cars – A London-based private hire car service, using the most viable environmentally friendly cars available

• London Coffee Shop of the Year
- Benugo Café and Deli

This chain of cafes was founded in 1998 by brothers Ben and Hugo Warner (alas “Benugo” – geddit?) and are renowned for the use of quality, fresh ingredients in their sandwiches, salads, cakes and smoothies. They’ve since expanded into bars and restaurants, which are equally conscientious and cool. www.benugo.com

Runners Up

Bar Italia Soho 
- Described as a “Soho institution” that does great cappuccinos

The Haberdashery– Stylish Coffee House, Eatery and Old Vinyls in Crouch End, London

• London Hotel of the Year
- Sanctum Soho Hotel

I once visited this boutique hotel for a friend’s birthday bash on their rooftop garden, and it’s clear they put the capital C in Class. They describe it as “an oasis of comfort, style and sophistication in the heart of London’s buzzing West End” and “an exclusive and extravagant playpen for the most discerning of guests”. Agreed! www.sanctumsoho.com (20 Warwick Street, London W1B 5NF, Closest tube: Piccadilly Circus) 

Runners Up

The Dorchester
- a luxury hotel, situated on Park Lane in Mayfair, overlooking Hyde Park

Rafayel Hotel and Spa– Battersea-based luxury 5 star Eco hotel

• London Cultural Attraction of the Year 
- Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A is truly a world leader in art and design, housing some of the most extensive collections of ceramics, photographs, drawings, medieval objects and sculpture (their post-classical sculpture collection is the largest in the world wouldya know?), as well as 145 galleries, and phenomenal exhibitions. www.vam.ac.uk (Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL, Closest tube: South Kensington) 

 Runners Up

St Paul’s Cathedral
 – a Church of England cathedral dedicated to Paul the Apostle

Regent’s Park Open Air Open Theatre – Home to the New Shakespeare Company

• London Live Music Venue of the Year – Hootananny 
Brixton

This alternative music spot in SW2 won Best Live Music Pub of the year in 2010 and has developed a reputation for throwing some of the craziest and exciting gigs with quite a lively atmosphere. And they’ve got a pretty amazing Mexican Kitchen to boot. www.hootanannybrixton.co.uk (95 Effra Road, London SW2 1DF, Closest tube: Brixton) 

Runners Up

The o2
 – The former Dome has transformed into a state-of-the-art concert arena

Dover Street Restaurant Jazz Wine Bar Club– Its restaurants have 3 wine bars and late nights (until 3am)

• London Theatre Show of the Year
- The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre

Warming the hearts of London audiences since 1999, this “roaring production” (sorry!) doesn’t appear to have plans to close up shop anytime soon. www.londontheatredirect.com (21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ, Closest tube: Temple) 

 Runners Up

Wizard of Oz 
at the London Palladium

Mamma Mia at the Prince of Wales theatre

• London Restaurant of the Year – Searcys Portrait Restaurant

You’ll find this 80-seater on the third floor of the National Portrait Gallery (and that’s 92 feet above ground level so you can imagine the views are simply stunning!) Modern British food is served daily and there’s style and sophistication at the heart of it. www.searcys.co.uk (St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE, Closest tubes: Leicester Square, Charing Cross) 

 Runners Up

Quo Vadis
 – A sophisticated Soho restaurant with a British grill and members club

Aqua Nueva – “Atop Spanish restaurant that combines flashes of bling with flashes of brilliance” says The Telegraph –

• London Bar of the Year 
- McQueen

This award-winning locale was created in the spirit of “The King of Cool” Hollywood actor Steve McQueen and hasn’t failed in being all that and more. Beyond the bar, it’s also got a restaurant and club, and their secret rendevous cabaret night is rapidly becoming legendary www.mcqueen-shoreditch.co.uk (55-61 Tabernacle Street, City of London EC2A 4AA, Closest station: Shoreditch High St) 

 Runners up

The Hoxton Pony
 – Adds an individual and unconventional slant to the gang of venues found in Shoreditch www.thehoxtonpony.com

Artisan & Vine – The Artisan & Vine Wine Bar and Shop was the first to specialise in local and natural wines in the UK. www.artisanandvine.com

• London Club of the Year 
- PUBLIC 
nightclub and bar

New York meets Chelsea at this creative warehouse club targeted at ravers who like to party hard. They’ve even got a VIP section dubbed “The Sweet Room” that’s been designed accordingly. Sweet. www.public.uk.com (533 Kings Rd, London SW10 0TZ, Closest station: Imperial Wharf) 

 Runners up

Merah 
- As soon as you enter Merah, be prepared for an evening treat of glamour, decadence and fun www.merahclub.com

The Roof Gardens – Richard Branson’s roofspot some one hundred feet above Kensington High Street. www.roofgardens.virgin.com

• London Member’s club of the Year 
- Home House

Here’s a PMC that’s too sexy for itself; its 18th century interiors brazenly contradict the youthful clientele, but that’s part of the charm of this eclectic club. And despite the whopping £1,840 joining fee, it’s said to be refreshingly unpretentious. homehouse.co.uk (20 Portman Square London W1H 6LW, Closest tube: Marble Arch)

Runners up

Morton’s Club 
- The most exclusive, yet relaxed private members’ club in Mayfair

Eight Members Club – A private club located in the heart of the City of London

What places in London are your big winners this year? Leave your tips in the comments section below! 

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