When the kebab shops and rollerdiscos of Dalston get too much, jangle the doorbell at Fee Fee la Fou HQ for a brief escape into wonderland. A newly opened island of colour on Bradbury Street, this is quite a find. It could go one of two ways – hideously zeitgeist or endearingly quirky; fortunately it’s the latter.

Essentially, FFLFHQ is a curiosity shop full of things made by artists and designers, lovingly curated and presented by shopkeeper and artist in residence, Fee Fee la Fou. Inspired by ‘The Shop’ – Tracy Emin and Sarah Lucas’s project space – as well as an exhibition at the Museum of Everything curated by Peter Blake, Fee set out to create a place to bring curious products to curious people, and it does so rather brilliantly. Fee sells her own work and the work of other artists; everything is hand picked based on the things that inspire her – the circus, neon, unrequited love, Aesop’s fables, and camouflage, to name but a few.

The result is that this doesn’t feel like just a shop. It feels like the inside of someone’s bonkers dream. From the elephants on the wallpaper to the specially made helter-skelter, every corner of the shop is filled with something of interest. Everything is for sale and everything has a story to tell. Fee Fee la Fou herself is on hand to give the run down of where each item comes form and what the hell it means. You’ll find everything from stunningly appliqued cushions, limited edition prints, interspersed with rainbow coloured jewellery and the odd retired carousel horses. GLP favourites were the range of bright and barmy teapots studded with characters, each unique and so intricately made you could spend an hour studying them. Perhaps over tea. If you really wanted to. FFLFHQ takes ‘retail is detail’ to some kind of ridiculous new level – head on down.

By Caroline Collinson-Jones

From the outside you’d never know Simon Drake’s house is magic. In an unsuspecting residential street you approach what appears to be a knockabout old Victorian pub, now boarded up with metal shutters. If your name’s down, you are coming in, through a red metal gate around the side. Once you’re inside though the illusion is broken and you find yourself immersed in the most outlandish venue we’ve visited in London. Bought by the prominent magician Mr Drake as his abode over 15 years ago, he set about turning it into self contained island of entertainment where guests can be plied with food and drinks before being terrified and amazed to varying degrees throughout the night. Although it’s often booked out as a whole for corporate nights the house also has a number of public nights throughout the year including the extremely well received Hallowe’en parties.

As you walk nervously through the gates and into the garden your ears register the sound of wildlife and, disconcertingly, wolves. As your eyes adjust to the eerie lighting and smoke the path leads you through a small garden home to glowing fishponds and mechanical critters that rustle about in the undergrowth. You find yourself shaking hands with a headless butler who ushers you inside the house and strangely enough this is the point where things start getting really strange.

Once inside the grand Gothic Red Room if you had any doubt before you immediately realise this is not going to be like a night out at your local. We found ourselves staring around incredulously at our surroundings, from the haunted portraits to the chandeliers and collection of creepy automata handmade by the owner. A tour of the house eventually brings you to the drawing room, which is a living homage to the owners’ 30 year career in the magic business. It’s like your favourite bar crossed with a museum of curiosities, with everything from vintage posters to toys, models and book shelves stuffed with interesting tomes on the dark arts.

For the sheer variety of entertainment Simon Drake’s is hard to beat. Over the course of the night and plenty of drinks we had our fortunes read, played on an old pinball machine, and were left suitably bewildered by the wandering band of close-at-hand magicians. There was a tour of the haunted cellar by the master’s butler which was part pantomime horror, part magic show and heavy on vampire based innuendo throughout. Finally, after generous helpings of the buffet, the show began and started with the brilliant Adam Kay (of the Amateur Transplants) who sang a selection of properly hilarious and downright offensive songs. After that the main event, we won’t spoil it for you but rest assured this is proper magic with blood and knives and levitation, the kind they used to show on the telly before it all became about plinths and conning bookies. It’s all as you’d hope from the glamorous assistants to the outrageous costumes and sinister showmanship.

Tickets for the night start at £45 including dinner and range up to £85 if you want seats reserved for the night. After the show the tables are cleared for dancing till 1am at which point anyone left inside is put in a box and stabbed with swords. It’s a pricey night out but where else are you going to see a man’s head come off these days (that’s not You Tube)? Think about it as if you’re planning a night out at a museum, theatre, restaurant, bar and club all in one… what’s more you’ll definitely be talking about this place for weeks to come. This is living folks (and significant amounts of dying related stuff too).

Tango, with Rojo y Negro / £40 – 60% Off / Queensway & Farringdon

The best thing about this taster bundle (other than it being TEN classes for super cheap) is that the classes take place in some seriously great little places – the Latvian House in Queensway and the Union Tavern in Farringdon. The Latvian House has an incredible ballroom, and the Union Tavern doubles as a dance venue and a gastropub stocked with more than 80 wines. Rojo y Negro will take you from beginner to dancefloor owning, Buenos Aires bound, twinkle toes. No need to go with a partner, so a great way to meet people too.

Cooking with Open Kitchen / 50% off, £39.50 – Hoxton

Within ear shot of the chinking mojito glasses of Hoxton Square is the Open Kitchen. This restaurant slash hot bed training ground for upcoming chefs ensures that it sources seasonal produce, free range / freedom welfare products wherever possible. Added to that: it contributes to the local economy and ensures fair work ethics for everyone. Happy days all round. Try your hand at cooking up a fancy new dish, then showing off to your friends with ‘something I just rustled up earlier.’

Kickboxing with London Fight Factory / FREE / Old Street, East London

It’s been a long day, and maybe you just want to… kick the bejesus out of something. So do it safely and for free (also legally) in this East London studio, and get seriously de-stressed. Also this taster session will show you just how lean you could be if you added boxing classes to your routine. You handsome so and so.

Discover Scuba Session with London Scuba / £15 – 50% Off / Surrey

If 2012′s going to be your “let’s get skilled up” year, why not start with a spot of underwater breathing? Without even having to leave the city, you can get a real feel for whether you’d like to pursue your scuba certification and get up close and personal with Nemo and co next time you’re away.

Anusara Yoga with Antonia Pantazatou / FREE / Central London

Let’s start by saying this taster is free, which is everyone’s favourite price. Anusara yoga is a simple style of yoga that focuses on the proper alignment of your body, so you can build up your physical self while working on your inner self at the same time.

Cherry Pie Music Lessons / FREE / South London

So maybe you weren’t the perfect, multi instrumental musical whizz kid, but it’s not too late grace the world with your as yet undiscovered musical talents – and learn an instrument. This taster is amazing because you can pick from something more basic like the guitar, a spot of woodwind or up to the more intense double bass. You’ll be slapping the strings in a smoky jazz den in no time.

Singing Lessons with Davina Lee / £22.50 – 50% Off / North London

Whether it’s annoying your colleagues or belting your favourite show tunes in the shower, it couldn’t hurt to, you know, do it better. Take some singing lessons, tell no one and then wait for the look of shock and awe the next time you perform your favourite karaoke jam.

Drawing with Can’t Draw, only £10, save 60% – Clapham/ Brixton

Can’t draw? We’ll soon change that. Enter this South London studio and learn how to access the creative part of your brain and transform your artistic ability, and work on your individual style.

Outdoor Fitness with Urban Gym / FREE / Central London

Escape the office, get some fresh air and get the most out of the biggest gym on the planet. This free outdoor fitness session will ensure that you can get your workout on, have fun and meet new people.

Photography Lesson with Tina Maas / £30 – 50% Off / North London

It’s easy to look at a digital camera and think, “Man, this is so button-y and complicated. I’ll just point this in some general direction and click.” Unsurprisingly, those photos usually don’t turn out for the best. This taster lets you spend the day learning how to take great photos with a professional photographer. You may not have lofty photo aspirations, but your Facebook albums will be the envy of all.

Here’s to a very merry 2012 – with plenty more great little places to come.

London’s no stranger to authentic tapas spots, but it’s not that many of them that take the Basque perspective and team it up with a load of old luggage – and hide an amazing squat-esque gallery for local artists up in their rafters. Seven is a new bar by Liam Brown and Jonny Rushton which aims to bring a bit of Bilbao to Brixton, and it will see your tapas and raise it to a pinxtos (tapas on a stick) and some damn good, and affordable, cocktails to wash it down while it’s at it.

Set inside Brixton’s brilliantly eclectic Market, Seven at Brixton is certainly a place that aims to set itself apart. Look around and you’ll see some solid wooden tables, dangling lightbulbs, big old legs of Iberian ham and a menu to match. It is absolutely the product of owners Liam and Jonny; their travels not only around the London bar scene but also Spain itself are clearly visible and every last detail in the bar has been carefully considered. Suitcases as tributes to the space’s previous owner – a luggage salesman – can be seen now housing the spirits, and luggage tags as reservation signs are a handsome touch.

The five rooms upstairs from the main bar have even turned Seven at Brixton into a functioning art gallery, with a sort of East London abandoned chic vibe, so when you’re done feasting on the gorgeous food, you can feast your eyes on the work of some up and coming local artists too. The guys take no commission on the work sold, and allow exhibitors to do so for free, they just want to see good stuff up there showing off local talent.

Back downstairs, the menu is something of a triumph. If you’re the sort of person whose fresh gambas and chorizo isn’t complete unless accompanied by a good old sherbert lined martini glass – beholding pomegranate, marmalade and apple vodka – then you’re in luck. From the classics of bocadillos with hand-carved meats to their signature pintxos, and cocktails that cover everything from Bloody Marys to their own Electric Avenue (for recipe see above), Seven at Brixton has it sorted.

If we really wanted to ham it up (jokes) we’d say that Seven at Brixton is an eclectic cocktail in itself. Take one solid measure of sharing platters, add a splash of authentic Latino beer and wine, sprinkle with a merry atmosphere and a twist of artistry, then serve right in the heart of a bustling market. Maravilloso.

(Beware though, due to the location in the market, it has to close at 10, so get down there early – but it is open in the day).

By Tom Pullen.

Going to the cinema isn’t quite the wallet-friendly soirée it once was these days – especially in the capital – so if you’re going to park your behind before a silver screen for a couple of hours, you want to be sure it’s a good’n. Enter Aubin Cinema in Shoreditch. For roughly the same readies as most central London multiplexes, you can kick back in a full on sofa in this cute little cinema under a shop and enjoy the film in all the comfort it was intended. You can even bring a bottle of wine in with you from the bar, which is never a bad thing in our books.

The cinema itself has only been around for just over a year but has already got itself a quite a following (including some celebrity fans, ooh), but don’t let that put you off – this place is exactly how cinema is supposed to be. Entrance is via a small stairway, underneath the Aubin & Wills clothes store, and there is only one intimate 45-seat screen, next door to the small bar that serves everything from coffee to cocktails (and tasty chili ‘Jazz Corn’ from the old-fashioned popcorn machine). One of the particularly nice things about this place is that they show a deliciously eclectic mix of films, from good old (new)blockbusters to quirky arthouse numbers so there’s definitely something to suit all sorts of cinematic tastes.

The whole experience is very much ‘urban laid-back Shoreditch luxury’: minimal but cosy bar (with reasonable drinks prices), nice soft sofas with Aubin & Wills cushions, and Cowshed handwash in the toilets (well, it is co-run by Shoreditch House Members’ Club and Jack Wills, after all). The staff are very friendly and it seems as though everything has been thought through – there are cool buckets for wine in the bigger seats, blankets in case you get chilly and, best of all, it’s nice and small so it has a lot of charm. Don’t delay, take the missus/mister to the pictures today.

By Emily Monsell

So here is our trip down memory lane, passing by the big smoke’s various wrinkles and crinkles. But one foot in the grave these great little places are not; they’re alive and still kicking the youngsters to the curb… And if we’ve got our facts wrong, or you know more of London’s oldest gems, let us know in the comments.

Oldest Bookshop established 1797: Hatchards, 187 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LE

Booksellers since 1797. Much like the restricted section in Hogwarts’ Library, the glorious Hatchards looks like it might just have a copy of Tom Riddle’s diary. One thing is for sure: no Kindle shall you find here.

Oldest Patisserie established 1871: Maison Bertaux, 28 Greek Street, Soho

We love Maison Bertaux like fat kids love cake.

Oldest Cinema established 1910: Electric Cinema, 191 Portobello Road, W11 2ED

The Electric Cinema opened on February 27th 1910, pipping the Phoenix Cinema to the post which opened shortly after in 1912. It’s still one of the finest cinematic corners in London. Plus they had the cracking idea of installing a bar in the cinema hall itself; the original Genius Bar.

Oldest Restaurant established 1798: Rules Restaurant, 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7LB

We mentioned it over in ‘Best of British‘: Rules Restaurant stills rules the roost in our eyes. When you’ve been serving up traditional British food and classic game cookery for this long, you’re most definitely on top of your game.

Oldest (surviving) Pub established in 1602: The Seven Stars, 53-54 Carey Street, WC2A 2JB

This is perhaps the most controversial of crowns. We’ve dug deep in our history books and the answer isn’t 100% clear. The Great Fire of 1666 (the Devil’s digits – coincidence we think not) put paid to a lot of the originals. Many have been rebuilt despite their great claims to antiquity. Ye Old Mitre is a mighty fine pub claiming to date back to 1546 but the present building wasn’t built until 1772. And Ye Old Cheshire Cheese was rebuilt in 1667, despite related ancestry dating back to 1538. It seemed to be a toss up then between The Seven Stars and The Olde Wine Shades, both of which survived the fire. The Seven Stars was supposedly built in 1602 whilst The Olde Wine Shades was built in 1663, so our fruit machine money is on The Seven Stars (despite the fact that there is no solid proof it’s operated as a pub over all its 400 years). Other contenders were the Lamb and Flag, Covent Garden, The George Inn, Southwark, The Anchor, Bankside, The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead and The Prospect of Whitby, Wapping. But the truth be told, no one will ever know for certain. Plus there’s not a pub still standing, claiming to be the oldest that hasn’t be altered a dozen times.

Oldest Theatre established in 1663: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF

The current building, which was built in 1812 is the fourth theatre to built on its present site, the first was in 1663. Big claim to fame: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane has been visited by every monarch since the Restoration. We’re wondering if Shrek The Musical will be enough, however, to tempt the Queen away from watching Downton Abbey back at Buckingham Palace.

Oldest Hotel established in in 1837: Brown’s Hotel, Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S 4BP

Brown’s opened as London’s first ever hotel in 1837 and has no less than 5 stars in its eyes. And you can just as easily sneak in 40 drinks as well as 40 winks at this venerable establishment. Check out The Donovan Bar for a real treat. They also do a mean line in Afternoon Tea.

Oldest Winebar established in 1890, Gordon’s Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street, WC2N 6NE

From your Beaujolais to your Bordeaux, this underground den has seen it all. Nose clamps at the ready though folks because when you enter through Gordon’s doorway, a musty aroma of cheese and damp will hit your nostrils. It’ll soon subside, as will you. Also featured over here in our Finest Wine Bars newsletter,  it’s pretty much the worst kept secret in London… but for good reason.

Oldest Music Hall established in 1858: Wilton’s, Graces Alley, E1 8JB 

Wilton’s is not just London’s but the world’s oldest Grand Music Hall. Age has taken its toll on Wilton’s though but the guys are hard at work getting it back to full health – and doing an amazing job at it. But it’s precisely this weary and worn demeanour that gives this Grand Music Hall its charm; it truly is an incredible space and if you make it your goal to go to one new/old place in London, we’d recommend here. Check out the Mahogany Bar while you’re there. Built around 1725, the bar actually predates the music hall itself but has changed name many times along the way.

Oldest Botanic Garden established in 1673: Chelsea Physic Garden,  66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS

This river front oasis was founded in 1673, as the Apothecaries’ Garden, with the purpose of training apprentices in identifying the medical quality of plants. Within this little garden of Eden, you’ll find such delights as the pond rock garden, completed in 1773 and developed from a variety of rock types, namely stones from the Tower of London and Icelandic lava amongst others. It’s so old it’s even been listed Grade II and is the oldest rock garden in England on view to the public. Fact.

Oldest Museum established between 1414 – 1423, Royal Armouries Museum, HM Tower Of London, EC3N 4AB

We thought we’d leave the oldest ’til last. And of course it had to be a museum. Its founding date is unclear here but its antiquated status will never be in doubt. The Royal Armouries is an institution well worth a visit.

That’s it folks. Remember to sign up to our newsletter for more London treats: http://www.greatlittleplace.com/subscribe-to-newsletter/ and follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/glpLondon.

Pub of bygone age, but boy do they know how to have a good time.

The Palm Tree is Mile End’s diamond in the rough, tucked away from the main road and residing triumphantly canal side between the ecology park and the local climbing wall. It was once part of a terrace, but bombing in the war left it standing alone, surrounded by grass. Don’t be duped by its ambiguous exterior, as once you’re inside you’ve arrived back in the old East End, from the boxing posters of vintage champions, wooden booths, heavy velvet curtains straight out of your parents’ Polaroids to a cash register that wouldn’t be out of place down the antique stalls of Portobello. And if that was not enough nostalgia for you, it boasts one of the surviving East End ‘Fives’ dartboards (no, nor us, but Google it).

The bygone interior is only the start of the pub’s charms, the glinting golden wallpaper bounces off the eclectic mix of local Mile Enders, students and East End drinkers. Every Friday and Saturday night accomplished old crooners and Jazz players bring The Palm Tree to life in a spectacular way, a good ol’sing-a-long is compulsory; ‘My Way’ is guaranteed. The range of beer on offer is good, with a standard mix of wine and spirits. And if the crooners aren’t your bag, supping your pint laid out grass side (summer permitting) overlooking Regents canal, is no mean alternative.

By Caroline Maddison.

In days gone by bowls clubs have played more than their fair share in British history. With our proud tradition of inventing sports for the world to beat us at, we’ve held firm in the bowls department – Commonwealth champions no less. These oases of decency once peppered the nation, providing gentle competition and mature melting pots in a way that its brasher American cousin could never match. And many live on – including a particularly fine example in the North London Bowls Club.

It was whilst curling his wood towards a tricky jack in Plymouth Hoe that Sir Francis Drake first spotted the Spanish Armada advancing toward British shores. Famously, he dug in; intent on finishing his game before setting about finishing off Pedro and his amigos (commemorated in this sterling statue in Tavistock). In Balham Bowls Club, however, you’re more likely to be faced with gallons of rioja than galleons of war as it has now been faithfully turned into a wonderful drinking hole by Antic, the people behind Tooting Tram & Social and several other fine establishments.

They have faithfully retained the clubhouse decor, with trinkets, original score cards, honours boards and the curious little flags that commemorate the visits of nearby clubs adorning all surfaces. A sign suggesting that visitors must be accompanied by members greets you as you enter – but fear not, you’ll be fine. The BBC is a wooden walled warren of rooms, particularly cosy in these winter months, littered with old fashioned lamps, beaten up Chesterfields and mismatching wooden chairs – even the odd church pew – making for an unpretentious atmosphere of warming revellry. And there’s an outside bit for inevitable summer Pimmage.

The games vibe is still kept very much alive, with a selection of board games available behind the bar and we’re told two full sized snooker tables upstairs. Sadly the bowling green didn’t come with the deal for the building, and it’s currently festering away out the back until the council decide what to do with it. Nor did we sample the menu, but we’re told it scores very highly (it’s what’s apparently known as ‘global tapas’). We did have a sausage roll, though, which was outstanding – and there can be few finer judges of a pub’s culinary merits than that.

Balham, you jewel encrusted transport hub of the south you, with your collection of generic style bars – you have delivered a gem of a pub. Well worth getting better acquainted with the Northern Line for.

Sometimes the best things are right under your nose or rather a short walk from the tube and a couple of right turns. When mentioning The Island Queen we’re greeted with either an over whelming pub-gushing or a complete blank face. For those who haven’t visited, there’s a treat in store. Nestled on a residential street, not far from Angel tube and just up from the Islington tunnel canal turn off, The Island Queen is here to serve her country.

This local boozer, run by Antonia and her dedicated staff, is oozing an old empire, cosy shipwrecked style. The high ceiling, glass frontage and beautiful large wall mirrors, hand painted with tropical foliage scenes, create a welcoming and eclectic atmosphere with an old gin palace feel. Add to that the bookshelves, bird cages, open fire and statue of the queen herself – this establishment is doing its unique pub name status proud.

They’ve recently relaunched their food menu, with a focus on seasonal fresh ingredients, (we can confirm the homemade burger is a treat) with plenty of options for meat eaters and veggies alike. There’s a range of beers and ales with gusto including Sierra Nevada, Fruli, Leffe, Doom Bar and a huge wine list that steers their Monday night Wine Club event (quiz on Tuesdays if you fancy stretching the grey matter). They have a little something for everyone, with a room upstairs for hire and outside drinking for warmer times, however the mulled wine maybe a better option during these nippy months.

A pub brimming with this much character you’ll be expected to share your drinking space with a mix of locals, destinational East Londoners and post-work drinkers during the week, with larger crowds at weekends – all looking for a decent drink with a hearty atmosphere. If you want an Islington boozer at its best, head down The Island Queen, after all it’s only a short walk and couple of right turns.

By Caroline Maddison

The festive season is upon us and London is our oyster (card) to explore and find places of merriment to celebrate this fine season. But with the stress of present buying looming like a spectre from ‘A Christmas Carol’, most of us get as far as our local pub in search of cheer.

Next time you do make that journey though, go a little less local (unless you are local to Islington)and via Upper Street to the King’s Head. The quirky interior of photo covered walls and inviting easy chairs by the fire should be enough to tempt but it is what lurks in the back room that will keep you coming back.  For as you step through the discreet black doors like a trip to Narnia minus the White Witch, an intimate theatre space unfolds in front of you.  The doors close and the small assembled crowd takes it seat; emerging smiling and, let’s be fair, a little smug at their shared discovery.

On a site that’s history as a pub dates back to the 1500s, even mentioned within the pages of Samuel Pepys’ diaries, the space has previously been everything from a boxing ring to a pool hall and the photos show many a famous face has graced its stage. However, just because its presence is hidden to the casual passer by shouldn’t mean it remains so, after recently being rebranded as London’s Little Opera House, the theatre currently presents classic opera with new interpretations that have been known to spill out even into the pub itself. We went to see La Boheme, and it was bloody brilliant.

For a full bodied bottle of culture with a chaser of history, look no further.  Rumour has it that King Henry VIII, a chap who had a certain reputation for his high standards, used to pop in on the way to visiting his mistress. So please don’t take just our word for it, this one has the royal stamp of approval.

By Tanith Heap.