London

Vertigo

Last-minute date
Place to meet With no time to organise directions, meet somewhere that can be seen for miles around. Try the champagne bar, Vertigo 42, on the top floor of Tower 42 (25 Broad Street, EC2, 020 7877 7842). You can’t miss it – it’s the tall building that looks like an upright PlayStation 2.
Where to eat No reservations at peak time on a Friday or Saturday night? Have no fear – the restaurant section of St John in Farringdon (26 St John Street, EC1, 020 7251 0848) might book up faster than ‘Disney on Ice’, but the bar is first-come, first-served and has a shorter but equally extraordinary menu of quirky British food.
What to do Over in Trafalgar Square, candlelit classical music recitals at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Thursday-Saturday 7.30pm) are romantic. Show up and nab unreservable tickets in the aisles for £8. Feature continues

Café Kick

Later on Table-football bar Café Kick (43 Exmouth Market, EC1, 020 7837 8077) is smaller than its sister venue, Bar Kick in Shoreditch, and you can show up any time and get a game. It’s fun rather than competitive, and you can make eyes at each over the little metal men.
Where to end up With no hotel booked, give Visit London a call (08701 566366/ www.visitlondon.com). Some poor soul on the night shift will – for no fee – find you a love nest within your selected area and price range. Be nice to them, they’re probably lonely.