Around Town

The problem
Katrina ‘My daughter will be 18 on June 14. She is celebrating with friends after the A levels have finished but she wants to go to London with us (50), her sister and boyfriend (21) and her grandparents (76), who will meet us for a meal or a drink in the evening. She fancies shopping in Selfridges, a boat tour, a Champagne bar and a Chinese meal with character and jazz or comedy (not necessarily all or in that order). Any suggestions?’

The prescription
Selfridges is a good choice, but you might also consider Liberty. It’s great for jewellery (although for clothes, the shops in neighbouring Carnaby Street may be more likely to appeal to your daughter) and it has its own Champagne bar. Kettner’s Champagne Bar (020 7734 6112) in Soho is another, reasonably priced option, or, if it fits with your travel plans, you could wait for your train home in the salubrious surroundings of The Champagne Bar at St Pancras (020 7843 4250), which styles itself as the longest in Europe.

You can combine a good Chinese meal with jazz at Shanghai Blues in Holborn (0207 404 1668), or you might consider lunch at Hakkasan (020 7907 1888), where, although dinner’s very pricey, the dim sum offers excellent value. Then you could combine supper and jazz at Pizza Express Jazz in Dean Street (020 7439 8722).
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As for the boat tour, if the grandparents will be aboard, try a flight and float London Eye package (www.londoneye.com). Otherwise it has to be London Rib Voyages (www.londonribvoyages.com), which you catch beside the London Eye. You’ll get the usual sedate commentary as you head up to Tower Bridge – followed by a very fast ride indeed, all the way to Greenwich.

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Help us to help you…
Whether you want to drink, dance, immerse yourself in high culture or stuff your face, London has everything, and our own expert team can help you sort the best from the rest. Email your cultural conundrum to cultureclinic@timeout.com.