Tucked away behind Southwark station is the pretty Isabella street. A hidden gem consisting of a few bars and restaurants set into the railway arches with a bamboo and shrub lined walkway.
This is an ideal spot for a first date in London with everything you need all in one place in a handy central location.
Valentine’s Day is upon us yet again and this year falls on a weekend allowing you to take advantage of those precious days off work to spend some quality time with your loved one. A lot of people are adverse to Valentine’s Day due to the mass marketing, tacky gifts and price hikes that surround it however those naysayers should not put you off, (they are usually the tight or lazy ones) there is loads of ways to do it on the cheap. With so much to see and do, Valentine’s date ideas in London are a plenty so you have no excuse!
Close to Old Street Station at the top end of Rivington Street is Portside Parlour, a cosy candlelit bar serving tapas style food and well crafted cocktails. Originally started as a speakeasy on Broadway Market it has since moved to a more prominent area on London’s east side.
Some of you may think that bingo halls are old fashioned, only for old ladies or hen do’s and generally just not your scene. You’re wrong, well, half wrong. I admit Bingo has a lot of stigma about it, it is full of old ladies but is also full of characters. Yes the halls are bit old fashioned but it’s still a lot of fun, definitely not a game to be sniffed at, especially for a date.
Hidden in the heart of the City of London is The Sign of The Don, a bar and bistro tucked away down St Swithins Lane close to The Bank of England. Offering one of the best priced set menus in the city and set in a medieval cellar, The Sign of The Don is just the ticket for a weeknight date among the hustle and bustle of the city.
Ever wanted to know what having a disco and cocktails round at your nan’s would be like? This is a question that plagued my mind and millions of others like me for quite a while, until now…
Deep down Deptford way is Little Nan’s, the ultimate nan’s house crammed full of the furniture, chintz and stuffed toys. A small speakeasy style bar it’s hidden at the back of a corridor full of bins, an easy bar for a date bursting with novelty, talking points and teacups.
Situated deep in the heart of Dulwich is Belair House, a beautiful 18th Century Georgian mansion that lies in the grounds of Belair park. A quirky yet stylish venue with eccentric staff, delicious food and well made cocktails. It is an ideal venue to hit up on a relaxed summertime date in South East London.
Hiding in plain view on a rooftops on the Southbank is ‘The Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden’, One of the prettiest and most peaceful places in the area. If you’re on a date nearby then it is well worth a visit to this secret little haven.
© Belinda Lawley
A subterranean bar in an unusual location on the edge of the city, ‘Discount Suit Company’ is an underground speakeasy that once was the stockroom of the tailors above. Sitting in the centre of Wentworth Street (part of the Petticoat Lane Market) it’s surrounded by street traders and fabric shops, but once the hubbub of the trading market ceases, the street falls silent, unless you know what’s lurking underground! This is the perfect location for a secret speakeasy.
Tucked away off of Charlotte Street lies shy and retiring Windmill Street, home of Drakes Tabanco, a small, traditional and totally charming Andalusian tapas and sherry tavern. It is the sister restaurant of the superb Barrica and a recent addition to Fitzrovia. With its modest white front (so modest you could almost miss it), light and airy interior and welcoming Spanish staff, Drakes instantly invites you into a different country and culture.
The Southbank is an electric part of London, popular with tourists and Londoners alike, all enjoying the atmosphere, sights and entertainment that happens every day and night alongside the river.
With so much to see and do along the Southbank it’s one of the best places in London to go on date. Read on for all the information you need for a date on the Southbank…
Sitting on Soho’s Archer Street near Piccadilly Circus is the aptly named, ‘Archer Street bar.’ With the fabulous Bocca Di Lupo restaurant across the street and the delicious ice cream parlour ‘Gelupo’ a few doors down, it really is in the perfect spot for a date in the West End.
Valentine’s Day is upon us once again, if you’re feeling the pressure to come up with something extra special for Valentine’s Day – don’t panic. We have some of the best Valentine’s Day date ideas in London so read on for inspiration and solutions to make you’re Valentine’s day the most romantic, intimate and enjoyable yet.
A stone’s throw from Highbury and Islington Station, perching just on the Highbury Island roundabout, The Hen & Chickens Theatre Bar is one of London’s most famous venues for up and coming comics, be it sketch, improv or stand up. With two shows on every evening at 19:30 and 21:00 at just £12 per ticket, a night of merriment is a guarantee.
Just a stones throw from Brick Lane, down arty Cheshire Street is ‘The Carpenter’s Arms’, a cosy and warm pub rumoured to be an old haunting ground of the famous Kray Twins. It serves a small menu of scrumptious food and an excellent selection of wines and beer. This pub was recommended to me by a friend who lives nearby and I thank her for such a great find.
Escape to Pop Up Ping Pong’s secret Elf Factory in Hackney for one last round of festivities on the Saturday before Christmas.
Columbia Road Flower Market is one of my favourite markets in London, lined with boutique shops, tea rooms and art galleries, the sight, sounds and smells of Columbia Road Flower Market is fabulous experience. If the weather is fair then Columbia Road is definitely a must do Sunday date in London, you basically cannot go wrong.
London’s museums and galleries are great for a date, most of them are free, there are loads of them so there is something to suit everyone and they have regularly changing exhibitions, but what could make the experience better… how about going at night, listening to live music, relaxing with a drink and wandering the halls of the exhibits without any screaming kids getting in your way. The museums and galleries of London open their doors late for special fun evenings which make great date nights. Read on for our list of when and where they are.
Do you like popcorn? Do you like cocktails? Do you like bouncy castles? If the answer to any of these is YES then check out Monkey Shoulder’s final episode of its For One Night Only events
For two days this winter, on the 7th and 8th of November get ready for Reyka Remix, the official launch party for Reyka Vodka. Held in Arch 402 in Hoxton. The handcrafted vodka will be hosting a party the only way they know how, Icelandic style!
