James's Guidebook
Art & Culture
Barbican Centre
Silk StreetEverything you need from a great modern art gallery. Masterpieces, blockbuster shows, cutting edge emerging artists, amazing architecture, plus amazing views of London. Check out special late night events and make it part of an adventure along the south bank (Shakespeare Globe is next door!). Also it’s just 20 mins walk from the flat!
2008 locals recommend
Tate Modern
BanksideEverything you need from a great modern art gallery. Masterpieces, blockbuster shows, cutting edge emerging artists, amazing architecture, plus amazing views of London. Check out special late night events and make it part of an adventure along the south bank (Shakespeare Globe is next door!). Also it’s just 20 mins walk from the flat!
The centre of dance in London, the variety and standard of performance here is incredible. If you like culture and have a spare evening, buy a ticket to whatever is on - it’ll be extraordinary, whatever it is!
Sadler's Wells
Rosebery AvenueThe centre of dance in London, the variety and standard of performance here is incredible. If you like culture and have a spare evening, buy a ticket to whatever is on - it’ll be extraordinary, whatever it is!
British Museum
Great Russell Street
Dennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StLongplayer
64 Orchard PlFood scene
The best Italian restaurant in London and just 5 minutes walk. Expensive but worth every penny. Beautiful dining room if you book ahead, or you can just turn up and squeeze in one of the booths at the front
7 locals recommend
Luca
88 St John StThe best Italian restaurant in London and just 5 minutes walk. Expensive but worth every penny. Beautiful dining room if you book ahead, or you can just turn up and squeeze in one of the booths at the front
One of the coolest restaurants in London is just across the road! In the summer the rooftop bar adds al fresco class to the hidden fading glamour of the dining space. Friendly staff.
Sessions Arts Club
24 Clerkenwell GreenOne of the coolest restaurants in London is just across the road! In the summer the rooftop bar adds al fresco class to the hidden fading glamour of the dining space. Friendly staff.
Friendly, buzzy, delicious and open late. This is my local go-to for a late Grill or falafel and aubergine wrap!
Lebanese Grill Express
84 Leather LaneFriendly, buzzy, delicious and open late. This is my local go-to for a late Grill or falafel and aubergine wrap!
St. JOHN Restaurant
26 St John StWhatever time you arrive, this place is probably open. It’s a hidden underground American diner that even some locals don’t know about. Open til 3am even on a Sunday night, if you’re flights delayed and you arrive hungry, this is just 5 minutes walk!
37 locals recommend
Tinseltown
44-46 St John StWhatever time you arrive, this place is probably open. It’s a hidden underground American diner that even some locals don’t know about. Open til 3am even on a Sunday night, if you’re flights delayed and you arrive hungry, this is just 5 minutes walk!
Racine was a famous Michelin star restaurant in Knightsbridge in the 90’s. This is the new one, same chef, same amazing French Bistrot style cuisine, above a pub about 5 minutes walk from the flat. Signature dish of ‘tete de veau’ is delicious. Highly recommended
Bouchon Racine
Racine was a famous Michelin star restaurant in Knightsbridge in the 90’s. This is the new one, same chef, same amazing French Bistrot style cuisine, above a pub about 5 minutes walk from the flat. Signature dish of ‘tete de veau’ is delicious. Highly recommended
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in London, the gate is a reliable classic for delicious veggie food.
The Gate Islington
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in London, the gate is a reliable classic for delicious veggie food.
This was the worlds first ‘Gastropub’ - a pub that serves great food. It still does!
79 locals recommend
The Eagle Farringdon
159 Farringdon RoadThis was the worlds first ‘Gastropub’ - a pub that serves great food. It still does!
Bars and Nightlife
Like stepping back in time to a grand old country house in around 1750, with a select short list of interesting cocktails. This is a discrete yet busy hidden and stylish place to have a nightcap. Look out for the creepy stuffed cat and gunpowder cocktail.
87 locals recommend
The Zetter Townhouse Clerkenwell
49-50 St John's SquareLike stepping back in time to a grand old country house in around 1750, with a select short list of interesting cocktails. This is a discrete yet busy hidden and stylish place to have a nightcap. Look out for the creepy stuffed cat and gunpowder cocktail.
Queen of Hoxton
1 Curtain RdLegendary. Dangerous. Fun.
Globally famous super club packed with sweating meat and hot muscle. Go early or late but try and avoid the monster queue.
Fabric Club
77A Charterhouse StreetGlobally famous super club packed with sweating meat and hot muscle. Go early or late but try and avoid the monster queue.
Ridiculously brilliant and extraordinarily cheesy, a live band play dancefloor filling requests for the cavorting hordes of office workers who were going out for a quick one but are still throwing themselves around with drunken abandon at 2am. Messy.
20 locals recommend
The Piano Works
117 Farringdon RdRidiculously brilliant and extraordinarily cheesy, a live band play dancefloor filling requests for the cavorting hordes of office workers who were going out for a quick one but are still throwing themselves around with drunken abandon at 2am. Messy.
Sightseeing
St. Paul's Cathedral
Sir John Soane's Museum
13 Lincoln's Inn FieldsDennis Severs' House
18 Folgate StReeser Str. 106, 46446 Emmerich am Rhein, Germany
Pubs
The Jerusalem Tavern
55 Britton StThe Slaughtered Lamb
34-35 Great Sutton StThe Three Kings
7 Clerkenwell CloseThe Green
29 Clerkenwell Grn