There’s been a cinema under various names on the site of the art deco, Grade-II listed Rio for over 100 years and it’s remained independent right up to this day. The two screens show a varied programme of new indie releases as well as regular double bills and classic matinees.
"My local cinema and one of the oldest in the UK, this is a cosy spot that champions independent film."
Since the 80s, cinema enthusiast Ümit Mesut has been running his video and film shop in Clapton, surviving the proclaimed death of analogue film through the sheer power of personality and nostalgia. Ümit & Son’s collection is the kind of expansive mass that’s clearly taken many years to bring together and every corner of the shop is covered in posters, tapes, reels and merch. As well as selling his wares, Ümit runs the 16mm movie club Ciné-Real alongside director Liam Saint-Pierre, as well as projection workshops, and rents out the 15-seater cinema at the back of the shop for £250 (just over £16 per person for a full house). Stop by – or bear this spot in mind for your next birthday party – if you love watching classics as they were intended to be watched.
"Ironically, I discovered Mesut’s shop via Instagram. If you’re into cameras and are drawn to unique characters with a story to tell, this film shop in Clapton is the ultimate goldmine."
Step back in time by going for a dance at the Rivoli Ballroom, which you’ll have seen before even if you’ve not visited yet – it’s been used a location for films like The Avengers and Legend, and music videos from Tina Turner and Elton John. The South London venue is one London’s last remaining 1950s-style ballrooms, complete with original interior and exterior fittings, and a sprung maple dance floor. If you’re looking to boogie, there are regular Northern Soul, reggae, disco and rare groove events running.
The interior and exterior fittings have remained the same, creating an authentic 1950’s and 1960’s vintage look. Which is why it is used as a TV and film location for huge productions such as BBC’s Stictly Come Dancing, The Muppets and The Avengers, the movie. As well as Legend featuring Tom Hardy, Legend.
We also have hosted music videos and gigs such as Florence and the Machine, White Stripes, The Kings of Leon, Damon Albarn and Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds.
"This is one of the last remaining original 1950s ballrooms in London and has been featured in music videos of Florence and the Machine, Kings of Leon and White Stripes, and continues to host regular Northern Soul and Disco events."
Sister to Idea Fabrika site in Athens, this Stokey cafe is a non-profit hub that’s dedicated to enriching the lives of the local community. As well serving traditional and affordable Turkish and Kurdish food, Idea Fabrika is somewhere you can come to connect with people, engage in culture and learn something new – the venue runs courses on everything from English lessons to boxing.
"This community cafe is my favourite place for a Turkish breakfast as good as my mum’s, and it always has an intergenerational crowd."
Stoke Newington West Reservoir is not really the kinda place you’d take a dip in your bikini, but it is the kinda place you can dive on in with a wetsuit to go open water swimming. This is one for those hardy swimmers out there.
"Originally built in the 1930s to store and filter drinking water and saved from regeneration by local campaigners, this is now the go-to spot for outdoor swimming."
After lying empty for ten years, the Peckham Palais building (which first opened as a department store in 1867) has been turned back into a nightclub by The Night Group (the team behind Hackney’s Night Tales and Netil360). Palais is a 500-capacity club complete with a Funktion-One five-way sound system in the basement, where a mix of local and international DJs take over the decks, and cocktail bar and events space The Ballroom upstairs. Speaking about the venue, co-founder Jamie Rule said: “We’ve been developing the sound system for over a year. We wanted to create something that moves through you. With infra bass, you can feel it, not just hear it. Now we want to see what people do with the space.”
"This club takes you back to nightlife before social media with its phone-free policy, making the dancefloor a safe space to truly let go."
E Pellicci has been serving the good people of East London for over 100 years, so you can bet they know what they’re doing when it comes to feeding the hungry and the hungover. It’s classic caff grub, the portions are big, they serve breakfasts all day long and the fry-up will cost you less than a tenner. It’s closed on Sundays though, so don’t caught out.
"An ode to the Italian community’s long presence in the East End, E Pellicci’s diner has been in the family for generations, and it's an establishment as old as the Labour Party. Other than a quick snap of the huge portions, you won’t see anyone face down in a screen, but instead speaking across tables to strangers and tucking into a delicious full English or lasagne."
Giving the good ol’ Queen Vic a run for her East End money is the long-standing Palm Tree. You either love or hate this old-school boozer – there’s nothing modern here, don’t expect food beyond a bag of nuts and you can definitely get better pints elsewhere. What you do get is a cracking atmosphere, live jazz every weekend from proper old crooners and the landlord is a real character.
"This Grade II-listed old school boozer is cash only, and that’s not the only thing that makes it feel like the old days the second you walk in. You’ll be sure to get chatting to locals over a pint."
If you’re after a retro night out, head to the bingo. Buzz Bingo Tooting has all the games you could possibly want, with sessions running across the day, all week long. What really sets this place apart though is the building – it’s housed inside a Grade I-listed 1930s Art Deco former cinema, that looks almost like a cathedral inside. You won’t find many more stunning places for your sweet sixteens and dancing queens.
Photo credit: @floristo
"A heritage British institution, bingo halls are a thing of the past. This one is unassuming from the outside but has an impressive Russian Orthodox church interior, and hosts weekly games."
Obvs you come to a library to borrow books or to work, or even for a coffee (yes this library has its own baristas) but the other main draw of Kensington Central Library is the architecture. The exterior is English renaissance but the interior is a mid-century dream (it was opened in 1960 after all).
Photo credit: Wheree
"A mid-century haven in West London that makes a great work spot and often hosts regular events."
