• Added: 9th of May 2008
• Area: Chelsea
• Category: Restaurants

London SW3 3QP
020 7349 0202

jameshaycock said
Lively atmosphere with good food
I recently visited Tom's Kitchen for a Sunday night meal with a group of friends. Although pricey the evening was good fun with great food and good service and I would recommend it.

They seem to have made quite an effort to make the place feel informal with canteen style seating where you share a bench with other diners. Music is also played quite loudly in the restaurant which makes it feel like a lively atmosphere.

The food was served promptly and was excellent. Probably no surprises there given that it is owned by Tom Aiken's. I ordered the steak tartare and a sirloin steak as a main which was probably a bit of a meat overload but both dishes were very tasty.

I would recommend this restaurant to someone looking to eat good food in an informal environment with a group of friends.

• Added: 9th of May 2008
• Area: Clerkenwell
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London EC1V 0DX
020 7253 1516

jameshaycock said
Rudest service in London
Despite being quite a decent looking venue, I personally wouldnt take a date here due to the rude staff.

I was short changed by the barman when having a drink in the pub last night. I didnt notice for a couple of minutes and when I did the staff just were not interested. I was told I was ‘barking up the wrong tree’ and that they didnt care. The silly thing was that I was about to order food for a couple of people. I explained that I now wouldnt be ordering the food and again I was told that they didnt care.

This response really angered me and I will be telling as many people as I can to avoid this place.

• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Kings Cross
• Category: Nightlife

London N1 9NL
020 7833 2022

jameshaycock said
Modular mash up
I'd been hearing about Modular Records parties from a few different people so when I received an email for the big party at Scala I immediately bought four tickets.

As usual my friends and I were broke so started the drinking at home, before a drunken tube journey across London.

Arriving at Scala we were a little concerned about the queue - it was pretty huge. We were in the pre-bought queue but for some reason the other queue was moving quicker which was annoying. However it wasn't long before we were in and hit the bar.

Scala is a big club and I think has two main rooms. The lower room had a load of bands and DJs playing that I can't remember the names of. The sound in the room wasn't great so we didn't stay there for long.

The upper room was were we spent most of the night, first watching Kissy Sell Out (who I liked) then French art band The Teenagers (who I didn't). People were throwing around a massive palm tree which was pretty amusing.

We told everyone we met that we were in a band, I'm not sure how many people believed us but at least it got us in the quiet vip room for a while which meant we could buy a drink without a long wait.

I woke in the morning with face paint making me look like Alex from A Clockwork Orange, a vague recollection of a great sandwich in Victoria and trying to go to a Peaches Geldoff party.

So in all it was a good night, I prefer smaller clubs though.

• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Nightlife

Bristol BS1 4RB
0117 929 3301

jameshaycock said
Its a boat and I love it!
The once damp and dark Thekla is now not so damp.

The Thekla recently had a refit by the guys who own The Social in Nottingham who renamed it The Thekla Social. While I went many times (and loved all of them) when I lived in Bristol, I've only been once since the rejig. The new owners have done well to retain the feel that the locals love about the boat but have managed to make it work even better.

It's now possible to sit out on the upper deck to have a drink. The upper floor is great for taking it easier and the lower bar has been rearranged to give more space.

My most recent night at The Thekla Social was to Blowpop when Erol Alkin was playing. What a night! All my friends from Bristol were there and even more kept appearing during the evening. We stormed the dance floor with massive grins and danced to Erol until it was home time.

From what I've been told, in addition to the odd Blowpop (great club night) event The Thekla Social has some great live music as well as continuing with stonking house and the occasional drum and bass night. As for the price, it's never too expensive, just make sure you get there early for the big nights!

Jump aboard the good ship!

• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Nightlife

Bristol BS1 5LJ
0117 925 1177

jameshaycock said
So many memories!
I lived in Bristol for three years and I don't think I went to any club as many times as I went to Dojos. It was the first club I went to in Bristol and it was probably the last.

The dark club holds about 2-300 people, but it feels much more intimate when you're wedged between the DJ booth and a bunch of sweaty friends going for it.

I'm not sure of all the current nights Dojos has on but I've been to drum and bass nights, hip-hop nights, funk nights and numerous house nights there.

Some of the best times I've had at Dojos have been at Groove On a student night that my friend Tommy Rio started. Other ridiculous nights there have been the Just Jack after parties that start at 4 and go until no-one can take it anymore!

The drinks are reasonably priced, the entry's rarely over a fiver and although the bouncers seem scary, they've got some good banter.

Look out for the next after party there.

• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Fulham
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London SW6 1LY
020 7385 6021

jameshaycock said
Relaunched as the Cock and Hen
Formally The Cock this pub has just relaunched as The Cock and Hen and is now vying with the Arbiter as my favourite local.

The Cock and Hen has a good selection of local and lesser-known beer, including the fruity Bonobo, and the better known Budvar and Erdinger.

The menu also looks promising. On two recent trips I've found myself left out of the conversation as I salivate over the food on offer. I haven't sampled any yet but when I do I'll report back.

Another big plus for the pub (forgetting some odd plant pots with lights in!) is it's small, terraced beer garden. I guess a lot of places will be sprucing up their outside areas in preparation for the smoking ban, which can only be a good thing.

The icing on the cake at The Cock and Hen is the customer service. The staff are very friendly which makes the pub very welcoming - why can't all pubs make you feel at ease like this?

Is The Cock and Hen better than The Arbiter? I'm torn, but if The Arbiter opens it's promised roof terrace I think it might maintain the accolade of my favourite local.

• Added: 20th of April 2007
• Area: Soho
• Category: Nightlife

London W1D 1LL
020 7636 0933

jameshaycock said
Kubichek! rock the 100 club
I recently went to see Kubichek! play at the 100 Club on Oxford Street. I had a great night but that was probably more down to the band and atmosphere rather than the venue.

A group of us headed to the club around 8 after a couple of drinks at The Endurance on Berwick Street. The club was pretty empty when we arrived but it quickly filled up.

Shortly after the first band had finished, my girlfriend's flatmate Carly returned from the toilets with a rather bemused look on her face. She relayed the joy she'd just had in the bathroom....with the hand-dryer.

I went to explore for myself and found a Dyson hand-dryer, hung sleekly on the wall. The dryer is so powerful it almost takes your hands off! But, back to the night...

By the time Kubichek! came on stage we were a few pints deep and were ready to (try and) sing along at the top of our voices. The band played a high energy set. Top tracks were Nightjoy, Outwards, Stutter and Hometown Strategies.

As for the cost of the night, the drinks were normally priced for the area so we paid around 10 for three pints. I don't mind paying this much, but am not so keen when the beer is watered down and are served in plastic glasses! From memory, the entrance was around 7 which is pretty good for seeing 3 bands.

In all the club has a good policy of showcasing new bands, but by itself the 100 Club is not that memorable.

As for the band, Kubichek! are a new band from Newcastle. They're getting a lot of attention at the moment so you should definitely check them out if you get the chance.

After the club we headed to The Stockpot in Soho as some cheap, late-night eats were in order.

• Added: 17th of April 2007
• Area: Kings Cross
• Category: Nightlife

London N1 0UZ
020 7833 8301

jameshaycock said
Big day out Pt.3
I must have the worst will power in the world.

Having just bought tickets to some summer festivals I was broke and told myself I'd have a quiet weekend. Meeting some friends in Holland Park, we decided that if we won on the Grand National we would go out. A fair deal I thought.

We lost, but despite this I still found myself on the dance floor of Canvas at five in the morning. What went wrong?!

I blame the beer...and the sun...and some persuasive friends.

The trip from Holland Park onwards involved several pubs, a drunken tube journey, and a brief stint at a house party. We finally arrived at Canvas to discover a 50 strong line with a 'one in, one out' policy in place. Great. Queue friend at the front of the line - our saviour.

Avoiding some death stars from some disgruntled club goers waiting to get in, we headed up the stairs and through the doors.

The night was long running Bugged Out. The line up was good, Ed Banger Records, the cool Parisian label, were having a showcase so the likes of Uffie & Feadz, Justice and Sebastian were padding out the bill.

The first room of the club was like a massive living room, with plants and sofas spread all around. I liked it.

Within minutes I bumped into a friend from uni. Small world...or is it?? Anyway, we now had a decent group of people to stake a claim on a good spot on the dance floor.

From this point on my memory is a bit lacking. I remember throwing some shapes on the dance floor, walking round in circles and losing friends left right and centre. All in all, a great night!

Managed a relatively smooth double night-bus trip home, left a ridiculous message on my girlfriends answer phone, and hit the hay..hard.

Look out for the next Bugged Out Night, as this one was real good. Although the door (15) and drinks (4) were more than I'd normally part with, the night was worth it.

• Added: 16th of April 2007
• Area: Kensington
• Category: Bars and Pubs

London W8 6EB
020 7937 4534

jameshaycock said
Big day out Pt.2
Following a stint of getting sunburnt in Holland Park we had to find a pub to watch the Grand National, the outcome of which determined the fate of our evening.

Walking out of the Park, through the exit on High Street Kensington, we saw the pub on Earls Court Road and made haste to see if they were showing the race. They were, so we ordered (expensive) pints and got comfortable.

I had the names of the six horses I had placed bets on scribbled on a scrap of paper, and I felt confident. After a couple of false starts, the race was off but it wasn't long before most of my horses had refused to jump or had pulled up. My last horse came in fourth which apparently would have been great if i'd bet either way. I hadn't, but felt like a lesson had been learnt - must remember that next year!

The Princess Victoria is a small place with a mixed range of people, one of which I developed a quick dislike to. This was more through jealousy of his 330 win than anything else though - lucky git!

Following our loss, we decided to make a return visit to the park following a rapid stop at an off-license.

The pub was fine and did the job of serving a pint while we watched the race but I don't think i'd rush back over another of the pubs in the area.

• Added: 16th of April 2007
• Area: Holland Park
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

London W8 6LU

jameshaycock said
Big day out Pt.1
Saturday was hot. So, where better to spend the day than in a Park. After having a slow start to the day I jumped on the 28 bus and headed to Holland Park to meet a couple of friends - Luke and Matt.

On route I saw a digital display declaring the temperature at 33 degrees. I think it must have been broken but I was beginning to wish I hadn't worn jeans!

After picking up some suntan lotion (I normally turn beetroot after a day in the sun!) I rolled up my jeans and hit the park.

Holland Park has got a lot on offer. There's a sports field, some wooded walks, a Japanese style garden and even an ice house which on a day like Saturday must have been pretty non-existent!

Once meeting up with my friends we decided on a patch of grass next to the Orangery and cracked open the first of many beers.

We tried a bit of unsuccessful celebrity spotting and instead settled for a 'look a like' competition. I won with a guy who I thought was a spitting image of Donald Trump...or maybe he just had a silly boufant!

It turned out that both Luke and Matt had placed some bets on the Grand National, so given that I know nothing about horse racing or betting I decided to do the same. I ended up putting (a small amount) of money on six outsiders. We agreed that if any of us won we would all go out for a big night. We all lost, but by the empty state of my wallet the next day I guess we went out anyway.

By the way, the park's great and I would definitely recommend it.