London’s Calling: Don’t Forget to Go!
London is a city you will find on most peoples’ lists as a destination that they would like to visit at some point on their travels. And many who have already had the opportunity would agree that not visiting London is like everyone else having a secret and you’re the only one who does not know about it!
Indeed, the most popular tourist attractions of the city (and possibly the UK) are not to be missed. Furthermore, London also offers a genuine insight into city life in Britain and perhaps further displays how this vibrant city differs from other popular destinations located throughout the world.
To gain an idea of what London is like without having actually set foot in the capital, then guidebooks and tourist information are perhaps not necessary. For those who are fully aware, general media in the form of music, films and television will have acted as their main source of knowledge. However, regardless of the impression of London you will have gathered through other sources, what is true is that there are many attractions worth investigating on your travels.
To name but a few; the London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is an observation wheel in London that is visited by over 3 million people each year. If impressive scenery is of interest then this is where the best views of the London skyline and outer districts are to be had. For those who are not a great fan of heights, they can, as an alternative, take one of the many bus tours on offer!
Even if you have never had a proper trip to London city itself, you may well have been to Heathrow airport en route to another destination. This large airport is among the busiest in the world and flights to London from airports around the globe are common visitors to Heathrow’s runways. This is particularly true considering London is central to all things business related, and least forgetting being home to an estimated 7.5 million people.
Of course, the main attractions that are Westminster, Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Madame Tussauds, Big Ben and Chinatown perhaps need no introduction. But it would be out of the question to not fully explore other regions situated in London, as there is something for everyone to be found among the many different boroughs and ethnic groups.
Famous for its enterprise, fashion and vibrant nightlife, London is a city full of people with larger than life attitudes. Take a trip to London and if you are willing to to open your eyes and broaden your mind a little, you are sure to enjoy and come away with many wonderful memories. Therefore, whatever the reason to go there, then you will return with a new list of reasons why you should one day go back.
Nights Out In Exeter -an Exeter Guide To Pubs And Clubs
Exeter is a busy and vibrant city with nightlife to match. The majority of the Nightclubs are located down on the old Exeter Quay and this provides a pleasant backdrop to some of Exeter’s Nightclubs. Exeter benefits from a range of pubs and night clubs that offer a stylish cosmopolitan feel to the city which when you bear in mind the custom that consists of tourism, students, foreign students, workers and the local people of Exeter and Devon itself is hardly surprising. Exeter is indeed fast becoming a true Jewel in the Crown of the South-West.
The following is an up to date guide of the current selection of Nightclubs that can be found within Exeter and just outside, so if you wish to sample what Exeter has to offer at night, read on.
CLUB ROCOCO
Club Rococo started 8 years ago as the vision of David Mulvhill; recently the club has invested in a selection of modern video screens and a selection of audio integrated interior design lighting to maximize the audio-visual experience.
Dress code is smart yet casual and behaved fancy dress is welcome. Restrictions to dress are that; – no football shirts, caps or hats allowed.
Admission; Monday is Student Night to get your week off to a flying start. National Unions student cardholders can pay a pound on a Monday (bring your card) or its more than double entrance fee without.
On Wednesday and Thursday its Midweek Madness with a three pound entrance fee. Friday and Saturday (the busiest and best) the entrance charge is 5 pounds.
Club Rococo can be contacted on 01392 434411 and it can be found In 26 Mary Arches Street or EX4 3AZ
TIMEPIECE
Timepiece is Exeter longest standing Nightclubs and Wine bars and has a great atmosphere and music. All the better because it’s open 7 nights a week! Monday Nights is a Mixed Music Night, Tuesday is Café Sabroso a subtle blend of Latin Salsa, Samba and meringue styled music all served up by DJ Ricardo. Entry is free all night. Wednesday is another mixed music night with no particular genre; turn up you might like it!
Thursday Night are Scandalous Nights, a down and dirty street urban music fest served up by JSR, the crunch king of the southwest accompanied by Aldo Vanucci.
Friday nights is Collision Night -the longest running India/alternative music scene in Exeter championed by DJ TEZZA, as well as classic and contemporary and Indie tracks. DJ Tezza and Friends will lay down an eclectic mix of tracks form alternative punk/rock to mind twisting electro. Rules are there to be broken…
Saturday Night is Wobble night! Wobble night is like a kids party for adults ( except no ice-cream or Jelly ) Mr. Onions will lead the way for a full 4 hours of dance floor melting tracks from 10pm to 2am. It’s a gargantuan mix up of funk, soul, Indie, pop, R&B, jazz, rock, hip-hop and Latin beats… You don’t need to pigeon hole the music, just dance to it.
Sunday Night is World Beats Night, a cultured winddown for the weekend in preparation for the working week. World Beats offers the best in modern and classic Afro. Reggae Latin, Spanish and Asian based music all mixed up and all laid down for your audio pleasure.
Timepiece can be found at Little Castle street (EX34 3PX) or give them a ring on 01392 493096.
RIVA
Riva- Upstairs
Riva VIP is the chic Night Club of Exeter and offers an elegant refined night club experience, the interior has benefited from a 9 month refurbishment plan and a half million pound fit out, to make it a stylish and refined night club in a league of its own. The interior benefits from 3 seating zones, a luxury VIP room and a dance area complimented by a range of comfortable mocha sofas , illuminated feature lights and a constantly changing colour wall which accompanies a well stocked central bar with an extensive range of cocktails.
RIVA is not your conventional nightclub venue, it offers a chic and stylish backdrop to a night club setting, part hotel lounge, part private club and all style. The Riva VIP room is a step in the right direction for night club design.
Riva – Downstairs
Under the elegant VIP room, RIVA has a more atmospheric cellar bar and offers a more conventional night club for the Exeter 18 , no less elegant than the VIP room above; the cellar bar is decorated with a generous amount of subtle creams and rich chocolates complimented by natural stone floors enriched with soft red lighting. This is backed up by a dance floor area through the archway which offers some serious ear candy due to the massive JBL sound system with all the whistles and bells. The club has been used by Judge Jules and Carl Cox but regardless of who is playing the cellar bar offers a fantastic night out.
Music Breakdown; On Mondays Both Floors play a series of student favorites , Tuesday Nights Is popular contemporary music, Thursday night is devoted to a massive selection of cool grooves and party anthems. Friday Night brings Mr. Fish to the VIP room with soul filled urban and R&B. Friday Nights downstairs is Dance floor mayhem with a range of trance, funk, house and electro. Saturday in Riva VIP is reserved for New and Classic Dance floor tunes to round your week off. Weekday’s dress code is Sexy, cool jeans and trainers OK, Weekends: Smart and Chic for Riva VIP (no sportswear please).
RIVA Opening Times on Monday and Thursday is from 9.00pm to 2.00 am, Tuesday Night is from 9.30pm to 2.00 AM and Friday night opens at 10.00pm to 3.00 am.
Guide to New Years Eve events in London, UK
So it is December 31st and you find yourself in my beautiful home city of London. So where do you go, what do you do, and how do you best enjoy the experience? Here is my locals’ guide, to New Year’s Eve events in London, and I hope you find it useful.
First it’s only fair to admit that it will be cold in London on New Year’s Eve. Perhaps not quite so cold as in our northern neighbour, Edinburgh, where Hogmanay celebrations are taken very seriously too, but still chilly enough to take care if you are planning to celebrate outside. Alcohol tends to lower the body temperature, and every year, London’s Ambulance service is called out to revellers suffering from hypothermia, so if you are going out here on December 31st, wear a hat, warm boots, and a scarf, and perhaps bring a flask of hot coffee as well as the more traditional New Years’ drinks.
Having said that, there are few sights more beautiful than standing on the banks of the River Thames at midnight watching our annual London Firework Display. The display starts as Big Ben finishes chiming the midnight hour, and lasts for about 10 minutes, with the fireworks being set off both from barges and boats on the River, and from the magnificent London Eye. If you can get yourself the best vantage point somewhere between Westminster Bridge and Blackfriars, it is truly a memorable and beautiful sight. Be sure to come early though, as upwards of 350,000 regularly stand out on the River banks watching the display, so if you want the best view, don’t leave it until the last minute to come outside.
So what do you do before midnight? Well London is a vibrant city, full of pubs, bars and clubs, most of which are open all day with our new licensing laws, and, obviously will have extensions far into the night on New Years’ Eve. I am not going to recommend you one pub over another, as there are just so many to choose from, and each will appeal to different people depending on their personalities, likes and dislikes. I would give a special mention to “Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese” on Fleet Street though. Built originally in the 13th century, the pub was all but burnt down in the Great Fire of 1667, and rebuilt that same year, and prides itself on being the oldest pub in London, and one which keeps it’s traditions and atmosphere. If you can get in here on December 31st, you will enjoy real old English hospitality. Please be aware that most London pubs, especially in the centre, will sell tickets for New Year’s
