October 2016 is fast approaching. And when October comes, it only means that Halloween is no here. Once again we will be in for new thrills that will surely wreck our nerves. This year Halloween Day, October 31, falls on a Monday. Right now, you maybe already bursting with ransacking your brain for a ghoulish event where your fangs will be sink into. Turning your bed sheets into a ghost, carving creepy pumpkins and guzzling sweets with bat flavours is not enough. You need to make your Halloween Party a real shocker. Here in London, you can make your party a fright night worth remembering with this ideas. Spooky things await you as you see the scarier part of London for this coming Halloween.

Scary Tours

For your Halloween celebration, parties may be so traditional. Let us make it into something scarier through joining a scary tour here in London with your friends. With the Tower Twilight Tour, visit the spookiest corners of London’s tower after the dark. In the Ghost Bus Tours, go with your friends and together you can discover London’s gory history and its darkest secrets. In the Jack the Ripper Tour with Ripper-Vision, you will be in for the infamous murderer – Jack the Ripper. Retracing his footsteps with Jack the Ripper Ghost walks. This tour will let you see his story come to life. Joining one of this tour for your Halloween celebration will surely give you the fright of the night. 

Frightening Attractions

The London Dungeon will be a great place to have that fright night you want this coming Halloween. In this place, they will give life to a terrifying character in the history of London as they retell the horrible stories therein. They will also be having a witch hunt there where everyone who will participate will be considered as suspects. If you are into discovering unnerving histories, the Old Operating Theatre will great for you as it retell the 19th-century surgery. You can also go to Thorpe Park and have a mind-derailing ride where you journey with fear in the Derren Brown’s Ghost Train. You can also enter scare maze live in action in their Fright Nights this October.

Haunted Spots

You along with your friends might have your fright by grabbing a pint in one of the old pubs in London that is said to be haunted such as The Spaniards Inn, The Viaduct Tavern, and The Grenadier.  The ghost of Catherine Howard’s screaming will give you the scare in the Haunted Gallery at Hampton Court Palace. Theatre Royal Drury Lane also has a show especially for you. Discover why they are considered as the most haunted theatre in London. If you and your friends are in for a frightening thrill, go and visit any of the cemeteries here that are beautiful but eerie.

In London, you can come up with different ways to celebrate your Halloween this 2016. If fright night is what you want, you can get in a variety of ways here in London.  

London is one of the best places in the world to have a good time. If you are with your friends on a weekend night in search of a pub, there are top 10 bars that will provide you with all the excellent service that comes with a cold glass of beer. This will provide an exciting way in making the weekend hang out more fun and captivating. If you are fond of drinking beer, the following bars are the ones you should check out.

The Prince

This bar is located in the neighborhood of London and hosts the best events a customer would want. The fancy lit rooms and the colorful decors add to the great ambiance of the place. The foods that are served are well prepared and served by diligent waiters. You will have a great time hanging out in this bar.

Earl of Essex

If you want an excellent type of beer served at the dinner table, this bar has all the great stuff of cold beer that customers like. A wide selection of foods is served in an effective manner. The foods are served in a delicate way that is complete with garnishing.

Mayflower

The offers a great view of the city of London. The ambiance is very relaxing and the cooked foods are great. The amazing things such dancing and singing could be done in this bar. The foods are well served and proven great.

Hawksmoor Spitalfields Bar

If you want to eat the great steaks for the evening, this is the best bar to visit. The authentic steak menu sets you to a mouthwatering appetite. The entire great cocktail is served at an affordable price. A good time is sure achieved by each customer.

Zetter Town House

This bar is inspired by the Clerkenwell beauty and has an interior made up of antiques. The design concept of the bar is made up of the most authentic design concepts.

French House

This bar reminds people with the good old days of having a drink in London. Today, Bohemian drinkers are mostly found in the place. The menu is great as well as the services made in it.

Railway Tavern

This bar is authentic due to the excellent cuisine it provides. The bar sets the best parts in making each hang out more fun and inviting. The dark and cozy place sets the right mood for fun.

Southampton Arms

This amazing pub provides a delicious beer and a menu of scotch eggs and pork pie. The menu is great as well as the service it provides.

Pride Spitalfields

The old-fashioned pub house is still great amidst the passing of the decades. The bar provides the best deals that serve many London citizens who want to have a drink.

Wenlock Arms

The bar can easily be found on the streets of London. The placed has proven to provide the best services that you would want.

Each of these 10 bars provides an excellent selection for a place to hang out. All the merriment is here.

When it comes to cuisine, London rightfully deserves its title as the Cuisine Capital in the UK. Some people even consider the city as ‘The Gastronomic Capital of the World’. In the recent year, London has been held highly in the food industry. Indeed, this is a place spoilt with all those Michelin-starred dining restaurants you can choose from.
Michelin star is an award given only to those restaurants where the highest food and services distinction is met. 3 Michelin Star is the highest award available here. But among them all, 5 restaurants definitely stands out from the rest.

The city of London has it all. From the market stalls to the biggest department stores in the world, from cheap bric-a-brac to one-of-a-kind designer items, everybody is catered for by the city’s wide array of shopping areas. But why shopping in London is the most exclusive? Well, this is all because of the long lists of shopping areas that offer best shopping experiences.

Knightsbridge

This is considered as the home of classy fashion boutiques as well as high quality department stores. Big designer names from the fashion industry can be found in the Sloane Street and chic, yet smaller outlets at the Beauchamp Place.

Oxford Street

Oxford Street is famous as the busiest high street in Britain (and one of the busiest in the world). In addition to that, the place is best known as the chock-a-block that is full of the most popular shops in the city, more than three hundred in fact. There are lots of high street names that have flagships stores in Oxford Street, so shopaholics out there will definitely fall in love with the place. Also, Oxford Street boasts the oldest shop record in the world. This is a home to the famous Selfridges department store. This is just 1 ½ miles of the shopping paradise for shoppers who do not mind having an experience being on a hectic side.

Regent Street

Running ¾ miles right between Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, Regent Street definitely provides visually elegant shopping experience in the city as different shops conform to the same architectural style. Shoppers can find fashion boutiques, department stores, restaurants as well as high street names in Regent Street. Moreover, the place is also the home to the best known toy store on the world, Hamley’s.

Kensington High Street

To those who are shopping in the heart of London, Kensington mainly offers a bit of everything. It has numbers of chain stores, department stores, antique shops, plenty of one-offs, and long lists of restaurants to choose from. Kensington is less busy compared to the West End and is certainly classier.

Bond Street

For those who are looking for great shopping experience in London with a touch of class, Bond Street is the perfect place you can consider. The place is full of biggest designer names such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Armani, and many more. The street primarily boasts numbers of suppliers to the royal family. In addition to that, Bond Street is also home to the famous Sotheby’s auction house.

There is no doubt that shopping in London is the most exclusive. With all these things and more, shoppers from all across the world will find London as the best place to go shopping. Whatever you need, expect that the city has always something to offer. Brace yourself to experience one of a kind shopping, which is something you can be very proud of. London is definitely an ideal place for every shopaholic out there with the endless shopping centers surrounding the entire city. 

If you are staying in Knightsbridge and you want to try the best dining opportunities here, then you should know what restaurants you should visit. Knightsbridge has a lot of great restaurants, so choosing the best one can be hard. To make your choice a bit easier, here are four must-try restaurants in Knightsbridge.

Outlaw’s at The Capital

If you love seafood, you should definitely visit the Outlaw’s at the Capital. The seafood they serve is mostly caught at the coastline of Cornwall. Outlaw’s at the Capital was established by Nathan Outlaw who has received 2 Michelin stars for the other restaurant that he owns in Cornwall.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal 

Dinner by Heston has 2 Michelin stars. Most main courses cost 30 to 40 pounds. The set lunch costs 38 pounds for 3 courses, but contains Dinner’s signature dish – the Meatfruit.

Marcus

Marcus is not only known for its delicious food, but also for its friendly and attentive staff. The restaurant holds 2 Michelin stars and serves large food portions. The staffs also consider allergy notices or special requests throughout their guests’ dining experience. There is a lunch menu that costs 49 pounds, but you can also indulge yourself in various dishes such as black pudding, chestnut, venison and Muscat.

Zuma

Zuma is the ideal choice if you want to enjoy some good Japanese food. You can choose from various dishes, but sushi is one of their best offerings. The atmosphere in the restaurant is great and the food you ordered will come out on time. While the price of food is not exactly cheap, it is certainly justified by its quality as well as the ingredients used.

Other Mentions:

Another restaurant that is worth mentioning is Koffmann’s. Pierre Koffmann is among the most respected chefs in United Kingdom. He has received 3 Michelin stars at La Tante Claire. Pierre Koffmann was also a mentor to culinary stars Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White. The chef has abandoned extravagant gastronomy to focus on simpler dishes. Koffmann’s is a great place to eat before or after visiting the theatre. The set lunch at the restaurant costs 26 pounds for 3 courses. You can try their pistachio soufflé and pig’s trotter.

If you’re craving for some French cuisine, you can visit Petrus. The lunch menu costs 37.50 pounds for 3 courses. You can enjoy dishes like Anjou pigeon, pigeon pie, ginger jus and glazed turnips.

Bar Boulud is a great place to visit for a burger, beer and cocktail. It offers a French brasserie menu with excellent charcuterie. The set lunch costs 17 pounds for 2 courses.

It is best that you book in advance for all these restaurants if you want to secure a table and enjoy good food during your stay in Knightsbridge or London. The cost of meals offered in these restaurants may not be cheap, but it is definitely justified by the taste and quality of food as well as the service of the staff.

Whilst the 1940s may have been and gone, Cahoots have created a timewarp to take you back to a simpler time.

Located just off Carnaby Street, this tongue-in-cheek underground bar offers a staircase into the past in the form of an old air raid shelter. Once you pass through the ticket hall you find yourself in a 1940s tube carriage cocktail bar, with visible adverts, railway tracks, and bartenders in traditional dress.

The cocktails available include a wonderful mix, using black market liquor and post-war favourites, and some even including garden peas!

However, you don’t always have to get caught in the rush hour, as you can now make reservations in this wonderful bar. You can find more information and make the reservations via their website here.

Image sourced from Timeout London.

London is full of some of the world’s quirkiest bars, and it is sometimes very difficult to find some of the best ones. Here are a selection of some of the quirkiest, offering some of the best cocktails this city has to offer.

Lounge Bohemia

This bar just around the corner from Old Street boasts the appeal of an old Czech bar. They have a selection of alcohols you’d not often find in London, as well as a variety of cocktails which are weird and funky with perfume bottles, bubbles, and more.

This is a must-visit if you’re in the area, and bookings can be made via the website.

Black Rock

This whiskey bar is truly one of a kind. A large 185-year old oak tree has been taken, cut in half, and has two types of whiskey flowing through, a house blend and the american Cherry River.

If you’re not a whiskey fan, don’t worry. They have a variety of bartenders able to make you a sweeter cocktail to your taste.

More information is available on their website.

By Appointment Only

This subterranean bar is set inside a Victorian Bath House and is one of the most beautiful entrances to a bar in the city. This small entrance has a turkish bath feel, but once you walk in you see the true opulence; arabic tiles, marble floors, and stained glass decor surround the interior.

They have a wide selection of cocktails and food, and if you’re looking to celebrate they have a bath tub dedicated to champagne. What more could you want?

More information is available on their website.

Ropewalk Bar

This neighbourhood cocktail bar fuses classic cocktails with local beers, and also is amazing with having an ‘open food’ policy. This means you can grab food from the local Maltby Street Market and enjoy it within the bar alongside a cocktail.

They also have a selection of rooms, the Textiles room which is filled with cushions and curtains, and the Eisenhower Room which is built using old wooden panels from the US Naval HQ.

More information can be found here.

If you’re in London and looking to enjoy the amazing sunshine, then there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy and take part in. These are just a few, but some of the most exciting available this year.

Brixton Beach Boulevard

This pop-up in Brixton is bringing back the Miami vibes of 1982. There’s lifeguards running down the beach, sand beneath your feet, and an endless supply of 80s music and amazing food to keep you entertained. If you’re looking to hit the shores of Baywatch this summer, then definitely pay Brixton beach a visit.

Tickets available on their website.

Pop Brixton

A selection of shipping containers have been stacked to create Pop Brixton, a pop-up space offering a variety of bars, live sports screening, Yoga, Tai Chi and more. This has become a massive community hub in the area this summer, located just around the corner from Brixton Market.

If you’re in the area and looking to walk down to Electric Avenue, take a left too and visit Pop Brixton.

More information about what’s on can be found on their website.

Pop-up Outdoor Cinema Club

These cinema experiences are absolutely amazing. Showing a variety of classic, independent, and cult films, enjoy the ambience of sitting outside (on a rooftop, lake, or a variety of locations) and watching a film with your friends and loved ones. Blankets are provided to keep you cosy, and many have bars and popcorn stands too. This is a definite visit if you can find a film you love.

Information about screenings can be found here.

London is considered as one of the most visited places in the world. It has a lot to offer. From the Big Ben to the London Eye, to Trafalgar Square to the Tower, places will surely make you feel the history of the place in a modern day. If you are planning to have a summer vacation, London is the best place to visit. You won’t definitely regret the experience once you get to know the history, people, culture and all the fascinating places you could find there. For the first-time visitors, it would be better to take a look at some things you might want to know in order to have the best stay in London.

Hotel

London has lots of hotels that you can choose from. Hotel rates vary depending on the location. If you want to stay in the city, make sure that you have an extra budget for your hotel expenses. If you want to lessen your hotel expenses, try to search for hotels nearby the city.

Transport

London has underground or train that all link to the city. There are 10 major railway station terminals and there is a comprehensive public transport network of buses, tube trains and minicabs throughout the city. It would be better if you will make an online booking before travelling. They offer good transportation service with a very affordable price. It is the best option for new visitors.

Tourist Destinations

London is packed with almost 55 top tourist attractions and sights which you can visit for free. These places could definitely make your schedule full.

• A visit to The Tower of London is a must for all visitors. It is complete with tales of historical drama, the Royal Armouries, the Crown Jewels and infamous Beefeaters.
• Visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition and you will not only learn about the history of the Bridge but you will also enjoy breathtaking views of London from the high-level walkways.
• The London Bridge experience is an attraction set within the arches of this historical bridge. The place features real life artists, spectacular special animations and effects.
• Don’t forget to visit the St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is the home to tombs of historical figures like the Duke of Wellington and Lord Nelson.
• Climb the 530 steps from cathedral floor to Golden Gallery that is also known as the Whispering Gallery and enjoy the panoramic views of the city.
• Kensington and Hampton Court Palaces are two of the most breathtaking and legendary palaces in London. Both of them got stunning gardens surrounding the royal residences. If you are with your entire family, never miss the chance of visiting the ZSL London Zoo. It features the popular Clore Rainforest and Gorilla Kingdom which both get you closer than ever to primates of South America and Africa.

Entertainment

London got the best theater in the world, music venues and cutting edge clubs where you can catch the most of the top bands and groups in the world.

These are just of the top reasons why London is considered as the best city in summer. Visit London today and rest assured that you will have a memorable summer vacation.

With the heat of summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a cup of iced coffee. Unfortunately, iced coffee can be easy to make bitter if you brew it improperly or use low quality beans. There are two schools of thought on how to make delicious iced coffee. The first one is brewing it hot over ice or brewing it cold from the start. When it comes to iced coffee, you need to start with high quality beans and top quality filtered water. As much as possible, it is important to fresh-grind your beans just before brewing them in order to get their maximum flavor.

Brew it Hot

The basic idea behind brewing hot to cold iced coffee is to start with a hot double strength coffee concentrate and dilute it over ice to instantly cool it. While this may seem like an easy “brew coffee, pour over ice” method, it is a little more complex than that. For the best cup of hot to cold iced coffee, you want science to be on your side. Use a scale to weigh the ice that you will use. For one total cup of iced coffee, you will want four ounces of ice and scale up from there per cup. From there, you will want to brew your hot coffee at double strength from what you would normally like. Switch your scale to grams and use around 1.8 grams of your freshly ground beans for every ounce of iced coffee you will want. Use the rest of the water you want for the final volume to brew the coffee. If you can, brew the coffee directly over the ice. However, it won’t hurt the final product to take brewed double strength coffee and pour over ice. Sweetened if desired and served.

Brew it Cold

If you have more time to let your coffee brew before you will want to drink it, a cold brewing might yield the results you crave. Use a container like a French press or Mason jar to steep the coffee in. Once you have the technique down, feel free to adjust this ratio to your preferences. Put both the coffee grounds and water in your chosen container and gently shake or stir until all of the grounds are wet. Let this mixture sit for 12 or more hours on the counter or in your fridge. This will let the coffee steep without having to use heat, which often can burn the delicate coffee and destroy some of its complex flavors. Once time is up, filter your steeped coffee through cheesecloth or a pepper filter into another container. To serve, pour this filtered coffee over ice and sweeten if desired.

If you want to try something new, you can create a coffee dessert by chilling your much loved brew in your ice pop mould. If ice pop mould is not available in your kitchen, the best thing you can do is to freeze the plastic spoons in your ice cube tray. When the coffee pops are completely frozen solid, this is the time you need to get rid of them from your tray. Don’t consume your chilled treats too quickly since it can cause brain freeze.