A Hedonist's guide to London: Editor's picks

by: urbanpath, 05/07/2006

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The Hedonist's Guide to London is the ultimate insider's guide to the capital's most original destinations. The book's editor, Fleur Britten, shared her favourite places with us:

1) Bethnal Green Working Men's Club - where old geezers mix with Bethnal Green trendies, right on the fringe but also inclusive.

2) Inn The Park / ICA - prosecco in the sunset on the balcony of Inn The Park, looking into the lake and the London Eye, then crossing over the Queen's red carpet into the ICA where you have to pretend to look clever to fit in, completed with feeding the ducks by moonlight after closing time.

3) Favela Chic / Foundry - two neighbouring bars, very different in look - Favela Chic v trendy, Foundry v grotty, but with same core of authenticity, energy and good spirits.

4) Wapping Project - excellent secret in the neglected town of Wapping. Culture, architecture, history, food, cocktails, scene - all superlative.

5) Dover St Market and Shop@Bluebird - brilliant selection of fashion.

6) Houses of Parliament - a visit here should be on the national curriculum, hilarious insight into bizarre British traditions and the corridors of power. Take a moment to check the barometer of current political dissent camped out on Parliament Square.

7) The top of St Paul's - gorgeous, thrilling (slightly terrifying) view, while with two feet on British history.

8) Yauatcha - Soho's sceneiest eaterie, sensory overload, both visually and orally. Yum.

9) Ronnie Scotts - the goldilocks of jazz clubs, not too big, not too small, pure smooth magical jazz.

10) Bistrotheque - the epicentre of the East End's arts scene, outrageous trannie cabaret, human juke box, etc.

Hg2 London is available now from Amazon.co.uk and all good bookshops.