Camille Bavera

Where do you go in London if you’re really into gaming? From Soho’s Las Vegas arcade, to an underground Japanese games centre in Manor House and an E-sports bar on Cally Road, the capital has a whole world of venues for games buffs that might not be obvious to the unknowing passer-by. But for those savvy to the scene, the Big Smoke’s gaming shops and arcades can be a gateway into a vibrant and tight-knit community. Whether they’re sweating it out on the Dance Dance Revolution machine, or battling in a Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament, there’s still an appetite for connecting with opponents IRL, despite the fact that stay-at-home consoles are by far the most popular method for gaming in 2024. And with loneliness reaching epidemic levels in the city, independent gaming venues have held on to their pure goal of bringing people together for joy, over a shared a passion – something that’s pretty rare to find in London nowadays.  Funland London Once upon a time, an arcade called Funland could be found inside The Trocadero, a magnificent palace of themepark rides, cutting edge arcade games, shops, fast-food joints and cinemas. After ‘The Troc’ closed down forever in 2011, Funland relocated to the Brunswick shopping centre near Russell Square.  Photograph: Jess Hand for Time Out ‘The Troc used to be this amazing place, and it was centred around Funland,’ says Gabino Stergides, Funland’s chief entertainment officer. ‘After Funland at The Troc closed we converted a River Island into an arcade. A

  If you’re anything like us, most often when you’re dancing, you’re also drinking. So hey, it’s no surprise that a large number of tunes out there are about doing just that – booze! And we’ve rounded up the best of the boozy best, right here, from Rihanna to Chumbawumba (you know the one we mean). So fill up that cup and wack on this playlist: it’s time to dance. Here are the best songs about drinking to wet the whistle.  RECOMMENDED:🎉 The best party songs🎤 The best karaoke songs🕺 The best pop songs of all time😃 The best happy songs🍆 The best sexy songs Written by Michael Chen, Brent DiCrescenzo, Sophie Harris, Oliver Keens, Andy Kryza, Hank Shteamer, Kate Wertheimer, Zach Long, Matthew Singer, Leonie Cooper and Camille Bavera. 

When the legendary poet of our time Vin Diesel, dropped the timeless quote ‘family,’ it hit home for us all. But what does family really mean? Sure, you can Google the textbook definition, but we all know it’s about more than just sharing DNA. It’s about those folks who stick with you when life gets rough, offering a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they help you save the world from Charlize Theron. So let’s celebrate it, eh? With this sentiment in mind, here are the best songs about family ever written, from Sister Sledge to Kanye. After all, we are family.   RECOMMENDED: 📻 The best '80s songs🎧 The best disney songs💸 The best songs about money❤️‍🔥 The best R&B love songs🏃‍♀️ The best running songs

As a wise man once said, ‘She’s a runner, she’s a track star.’ But are you? If the answer is a resounding yes, you’re in luck: we’ve found the very best running songs to keep you going mile after mile in the gym or on the hiking trail. These tracks are ideal for running, whether it’s for cardio or simply fleeing your responsibilities. Regardless of what’s driving you to pound the pavement, a propulsive playlist is a must. From thumping hip-hop beats to high-energy guitar jams (and even a little tough love from Britney), we got it all. So lace up your shoes, crank up the volume, and let these tunes be the soundtrack to your next run. Written by Sara Fay, Kate Wertheimer, Andy Kryza, Andrew Frisciano, Brent DiCrescenzo and Sophie Harris. Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED: 📻 The best '80s songs🎧 The best disney songs💸 The best songs about money❤️‍🔥 The best R&B love songs📼 The best ’90s songs

Love ’em or hate ’em, no one on earth can deny how many bangers Disney movies have churned out over the years. From singing cats to wicked witches, these tunes stay with us forever – and are now loved by the children of today.  Of course, picking the absolute best is no easy feat. On our list we’ve included the golden oldies alongside the newer Disney jingles, from 1970’s ‘Aristocats’ to 2023’s ‘Wish’. From dramatic ballads to tear-jerking soul tunes, here are the best Disney songs ever made.  Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED:🍿 The best Disney movies🕺 The best pop songs of all time😊 The best happy songs👨‍👩‍👧 The best songs about family

Looking for a way to bond with your kids, without leaving the house and actually doing something? If there’s anything that unites children and parents, it’s cartoons. Not their cartoons, of course – those are loud and garish and obnoxious. But the ones you watched when you were a wee one? Now that’s the good stuff!  Jokes aside, the best cartoon shows really do cross generations, and can connect the smallest tots with the biggest, crankiest adults. We’re confident that if you throw on any of these classics – all of which are easily accessible on various streaming platforms – you’ll both end up LOL’ing together.  RECOMMENDED: ✍ The 100 best animated films of all time🧒 The best kids cartoons to stream right now📺 The best kids TV shows 🐭 The 50 best Disney movies for family night

Any parent will tell you: Kids need to keep active! That holds true even when you're staying indoors. These online fitness classes will get the kiddos moving, and they're so much fun you might just join in! After the heart rates drop, why not check out these virtual zoos and aquariums, or J.K. Rowling's new online Harry Potter experience? From virtual storyimes to online kids' museums, there's so much you can do with a couple of clicks of a mouse.

The top-rated, culture and street-foodie fest ‘Black Eats’ is coming back to London for their fourth iteration, and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Introducing, drum roll please, ‘Black Eats Fest!’ In addition to the wide selection of food stalls from Africa, the Caribbean, and Havana (to name a few), there will also be live dj performances, beauty shops, and a retail market. But in order to accommodate their newfound size and additional guests, Black Eats Fest will move from Hackney to Woolwich Works in South London. It's the perfect way to support Black businesses and, more importantly, it's a great reason to go eat something really delicious. Kids can have their faces painted (for free!) and the festival is open to all ages until 5pm, when it switches to 18+. Don’t miss out!

Who let the dogs out?! We’re not entirely sure, but we’re blaming the team behind the Greenwich Dog Show, which returns to Greenwich’s grand Old Royal Naval College for another year this May. Although the show is the main attraction (with this year’s ‘Best in Show’ crowned by telly’s own Jodie McCallum), the actual competition is only one part of the festivities. There will also be no shortage of stalls selling (doggie) treats and supplies, so be sure to bring your furry friend even if they’re not competing. For the two-legged attendees, the historic Colonnades will be offering an afternoon tea while The Old Brewery will be setting up a Puppuccino station and ice cream bar. All dogs are encouraged to participate in the big show, and categories range from scruffiest to cutest. For more information on how to register, or learn exactly what a Puppiccino is, visit the Royal Naval College website.

The 2024 London Marathon is nearly upon us, and by that, we mean 50,000-odd of Britain’s fastest, gel-slurping elite will quite literally cover the streets as they set off to raise money for various charities and chase personal goals. Like every year, we’ll see a few familiar faces dotting the sea of sweaty runners, faces with the power to illicit squeals amongst participants. Of course, we’re talking about celebs.  They’ve been spotted training all over London. From Hyde Park to Battersea, Hampstead to Southbank, these athletes are gearing up for another special race this year. So who will we see at the starting line come April 21? These are the must-spot celebs and otherwise rather cool people taking part in this year’s gruelling course.    Which celebrities are running the London Marathon 2024?   Phil Dunster The Ted Lasso star who rose to popularity for his character’s no-nonsense, eyebrow-nick-worthy demeanour will be participating in this year’s London Marathon, proudly sporting a ‘Young Lives Versus Cancer’ tee. According to Dunster, the charity cemented a place in his heart when they helped his cousin’s family to cover their medical expenses and provided emotional support throughout a difficult time. In a TCS press release, the actor said: ‘I’m equal parts excited and terrified... that I’ll be running the London Marathon this year. I want to raise as much as I can to help Young Lives vs Cancer social workers be there for more children like Rory and their parents.’ N

In a city like London, you’re never too far from some form of luxury. Palaces, boutiques, fine dining, or hotels. And in some, special cases, a mix of all four under one roof. AFAR Magazine recently named their favourite new hotels in the world, and out of the thirty-three mentioned, two are right here in London. The magazine relies on discerning writers with refined, global tastes to choose the best of the best. And this year, their top picks are west London’s Raffles London at the Old War Office Building and The Peninsula (London) in Belgravia. This is Raffles’ first hotel in Britain, and they’ve left no gemstone unturned while designing a guest experience. The historic OWO Building underwent a £1.4 billion renovation ahead of the hotel’s opening last September, which now boasts five stars, 120 rooms and suites, and 85 private residences. The building has been split in two, with one side dedicated entirely to residences, and the other encompassing the hotel, nine bars, and fine dining restaurants. Raffles London Raffles London was also awarded ‘Hotel of the Year’ in Tatler Magazine’s 2024 travel guide, alongside other similarly ritzy residences, which are all part of London's recent luxury hotel boom. The similarly extravagant Peninsula London is operated by Asia's oldest hotel group, Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH), and is situated between Green and Hyde parks in west London. This is the first time Peninsula hotels has touched down in The Land of the Rose, and they di

Once upon a time in the 1970’s, Time Out published a field guide for squatting in London containing the how-to’s, best spots, and general know-how for surviving with little to no income. Although no up-to-date guide exists, it doesn’t look like London’s occupier population needs any help finding trendy places to take up residence. The latest of which is Marco Pierre White’s vacant restaurant in Leicester Square. White’s 300-seater restaurant, called ‘Mr. White’ (surprise, surprise) was opened in 2021, and served pizza, steak and gin. Although the building was recently refurbished for £1.5 million, it closed unexpectedly at the start of this year and never re-opened. Prices ranged from £8.50 for bowls of salad up to £20 for sizzling steaks. Today there are 400 occupiers taking over five floors of empty space. The squatters were first noticed by the manager of the neighbouring fast-food restaurant, Jollibee’s, who saw rubbish piled at the back entrance to Mr. White’s. She then reported the situation to the Westminster City Council, who contacted the Met police.  ‘The council regularly visits us. When they were here last week I told them they need to look into Mr White’s because it is causing us some trouble,’ said Jollibee’s Ellen Leyco. ‘[The council] said they were occupying all the floors and they were illegal. Many are homeless and they are leaving a mess out the back.’ The occupiers have been removed, and the empty restaurant is now once again vacant, but with additional p

A group of squatters has checked into Gordon Ramsay’s pub, the York and Albany in Camden, but rumour has it they didn’t make a reservation. And it doesn’t look like they’re checking out anytime soon, either. Sounds like a proper kitchen nightmare. The group of at least six people, which took over the space sometime last week, has locked itself into Ramsay’s building and is refusing to leave. Soon after moving in, the squatters boarded up the windows, preventing reporters from seeing in, and posted legal warnings onto the building’s windows. Signed ‘the Occupiers,’ the notice read that due to the nature of the building (aka not a residence), they were not able to be civilly prosecuted, and would continue to retain ‘physical possession’ of the property. According to the Standard, Ramsay called the police on Wednesday to have them removed, to no avail. Due to a legislation change in 2021, squatting in a non-residence is no longer considered a criminal offence, and the constabulary says it can do nothing to remove them. It remains unclear however, why their presence is legal, even if not criminal. ‘Any entry or attempt to enter into these premises without our permission is therefore a criminal offence as any one of us who is in physical possession is opposed to such entry without our permission,’ wrote the occupiers, who added that at least one person would be occupying the property at all times. They’ve also threatened (other) trespassers with legal action in the form of six mon

Next to Liverpool Street station there’s a square you’ve likely walked past countless times, without wondering what it’s actually called. Sandwiched between Liverpool Street (the road) and Blomfield Street, it’s a regular thoroughfare for users of the City of London rail hub.  But soon you might want to pay a bit more attention to what that square is called, as it could be getting a new name. It’s been proposed that the area should be be named Sir Nicholas Winton Square, in honour of the Kindertransport hero who saved hundreds of children from the Nazis.  Often dubbed England’s very own Schindler, Sir Nicholas Winton helped 669 mostly Jewish children escape the Nazis in Czechoslovakia. On a trip to Prague in 1938, Winton noticed the city becoming overwhelmed by refugees fleeing the Nazis. He then requested the British government relax immigration laws in order to welcome more of the children.  Sir Nicholas was tasked with matching each child to a host family, assisted by his mother and a team of volunteers. In a matter of months he re-homed hundreds of children, almost certainly saving their lives. The story was adapted into a film titled One Life starring Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.  Many of the refugees saved by Winton would have passed through Liverpool Street station, where there’s also a statue commemorating the Kindertransport. In other words, it’s very fitting that Liverpool Street will be home to a square dedicated to him.  Laurence Winton, Sir Nicholas

After a seven-year renovation, Kensington Palace’s beloved Orangery will open its doors once again. The refurbed restaurant, which dates back hundreds of years and comes with its own spectacular gardens and sweeping views of the palace, will retake its rightful place as one of London’s most elegant dining spots.  The Orangery closed in 2017 and now, after extensive renovations, it’s set to reopen in just a matter of weeks. The restored resto will welcome back customers on May 1.  The baroque-style Orangery was built in 1704 as a greenhouse for Queen Anne. In her reign it was transformed into a proper supper house during the summer months, and a home for her orange trees in the winter (hence the name and random tree placement in the centre of the dining room). Prior to the current restoration, the restaurant was last renovated in the 19th century, when most of the original paneling was replaced, the cornices cleaned, and the 24 white Corinthian columns given a proper touch-up. The recent restoration apparently takes the form of a ‘spatial reimagination’ of The Orangery, with design studio StudioKKD choosing finishes to emphasise the building’s heritage. Beyond a bit of polish, the exterior has remained mostly unchanged. Here’s a sneak peek of what the revamped Orangery looks like.   Alex Rory Jacobs Photograph: Alex Rory Jacobs Photgraph: Alex Rory Jacobs But it isn’t just The Orangery itself that has had a glow-up: the menu has been redone, too. Expect stuff like lave

Hammersmith Bridge has been closed to vehicles for the past five years. Yep, five years. While at one point some thought the bridge might never reopen to road traffic, back in February the Thames crossing temporarily reopened to cyclists and small electric scooters. And now there’s more good news, as the Hammersmith Bridge is getting a permanent cycling lane.  The government has pledged the tidy sum of £2.9 million for a new cycle lane, which is set to open by November of this year. The bridge’s current makeshift cycle lanes will soon close while the permanent lane is constructed. While the bridge has always been accessible to bicyclists, previously there was no separation from pedestrians. Cyclists were often required to dismount and push. The proposed new plan will create a permanent barrier, partitioning walkers from wheelers. The Department of Transport says it will be a ‘significant upgrade’ to the current cycle lanes.  As for fully repairing Hammersmith Bridge? We have some less-good news. It still remains to be seen who will foot the £250 million bill to completely restore the bridge. A whopping £13 million has been spent by the government on structural repairs over the last few years, while TfL has spent £18 million on assessments, inspections, designs and surveys, and the local council has apparently spent £28.5 million. The council says it is unable to pay for all the necessary repairs.  So, the Hammersmith Bridge saga continues! Cyclists and pedestrians, enjoy sail

Lime bikes – they really are everywhere in London. Whether they’re lying thrown on the curb or docked neatly in a row (it happens, apparently), Limes are easy to spot for their vibrant shade of, well, lime.  Whether you’re an avid Lime bike user or think they’re a click-clacking nuisance, the bikes’ popularity is undeniable – and soon, we Londoners will be seeing a whole lot more of them. Lime has announced that it’ll be embarking on a massive £25 million e-bike expansion across London. Lime bikes are currently accessible in sixteen of London’s thirty-two boroughs, and availability is often dependent on in-app, designated parking areas. Lime reckons that ninety-seven percent of Londoners are within two minutes of a Lime at all times.  Not much is currently known about the specifics of Lime’s expansion, but the company has confirmed that it’ll pledge £1 million for 10,000 additional parking spaces for e-bikes and scooters. Lime has been accused of skirting its responsibilities when it comes to establishing parking areas for its bikes, which are often abandoned by the wayside and left as hurdles for early-morning runners. Lime is doubling down on its services in London following a ban on e-scooters in Paris. Due to safety concerns, Paris voted to curb all electric scooters in the city in referendum last year. The brand’s expansion plans also include extending its reach to three additional London boroughs (the exact ones are yet to be announced) as well as open a new warehouse

Back in 1800s London, when cabs were all horse-drawn, the city’s cabmen’s shelters provided a necessary rest-stop for weary drivers to fuel up and stretch out. The shelters once lined the capital’s streets, and were just large enough to fit a kitchen and space for ten cabbies inside. Between 1875 and 1950, 61 of these shelters were built throughout London – but these days only 13 remain. And today (April 9), the last of those surviving green huts has been granted official Grade II ‘listed’ status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to protect it for future generations. The final listed hut sits at Wellington Place in St John’s Wood (NW8).  The shelters were first dreamed up by Captain George C Armstrong as a solution to cabbies holing up in pubs during bad weather (which often left passengers unable to catch a ride). The stops ensured that drivers had enough strength to continue on their journey without requiring large amounts of liquid courage, and instead served tea and food. First constructed in 1875, the shelters were easily recognisable for their distinctive green colour and neat shape and size.  Today, the remaining shelters are now all listed – and some are even still open to the public for refreshments. Here are some more photographs of the shelters. Photograph: Chris Redgrave Photograph: Historic England The Cabmen’s Shelter Fund (CSF) will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and continues to oversee and service the 13 remaining huts. Many were l

Craven Cottage has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Fulham FC’s home ground was first used to play ball in 1896 for an audience of just 250 – and now, over a hundred years later and after several closures, re-openings and renovations, the Cottage has just had its glitziest glow-up yet.  At the heart of Fulham’s upgrades is the stadium’s Riverside Stand, and in practical terms the renovations will increase the stand’s capacity to 8,000 and boost Craven Cottage’s overall capacity to 28,500. But that certainly isn’t all. Designed by Populous architects, the revamped Riverside Stand promises fans of the club a much more luxe elevated experience – including, excitingly, a rooftop pool. Yep, a pool! In a football stadium! Well I never.  The new stand will offer seven new hospitality venues including the pool, Michelin-starred restaurant The Gourmet (for dining high above the Thames), the Sky Deck (featuring panoramic sunset views) and The Dugout, which will offer ticket-holders a chance to sit right behind the coaches for an ‘intimate’ game experience. Populous Populous Shahid Khan, owner of Fulham FC, said that although these plans are intended to offer more luxurious experiences for fans at Craven Cottage, the Riverside Stand’s amenities will be accessible on non-match-days too. ‘Today isn’t about finally being able to offer a higher standard of hospitality options that have essentially been unavailable to Fulham supporters until now. It’s about offering the ultim

From the UN’s damning global warming reports to your daily Too Good To Go reminders that ‘A Meal Needs Saving!’, these days it’s hard to ignore our impact on the planet. And the restaurant industry plays a huge part in all that. A recent report reckoned that roughly one million meals are wasted each year – and that, if food waste was a country, it would be the world’s third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after the United States and China.  If you’re keen to make dining out in London greener, now we’ve just the thing. A new guide keeps track of the capital’s most sustainable restaurants, which it rates in a Michelin-style system with one to three circles depending on level of commitment to sustainability. Called 360 Eat Guide, it was created by Pär Bergkvis, a food writer and former jury-member for ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’. The guide is designed to highlight restaurants actively working to curb their negative impact, while also maintaining high gastronomical standards. In other words, these restaurants are both delicious and green.  Currently, the most highly-rated London restaurant by 360 is Hackney Wick’s Silo, which was the world’s first zero-waste restaurant when it opened in 2019. Silo is currently the only joint to have been awarded three circles for its sustainable practices, and has a gastronomy rating of 81-85.  And we at Time Out love Silo, too. In our five-star review, we gushed about ‘impossibly pretty’ dishes, saying: ‘Eating at Silo is about more than j

Here at Time Out, we know a lot about a lot about London’s pubs and bars. Beyond our esteemed lists of the best pubs and finest bars, we’ve got rankings of cosy pubs, rooftop bars, gastropubs and much, much more – as well as neighbourhood pub guides across the capital. If you’re after a drink (or two, or three) in the capital, we’re your best bet.  But other places also rank pubs and bars – and among the most distinguished is the National Pub and Bar Awards. Each year, the awards opens applications to pubs from across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England, before revealing a selection of finalists. The finalists then move on to become ‘county winners’, and from there regional and overall winners are crowned.  For 2024’s National Pub and Bar Awards, two London drinking joints have been named ‘county winners’. The capital gets two spots for the City of London and Greater London.  Up first for the City of London is Mr. Fogg’s City Tavern. Described as ​’an eccentric Victorian-style tavern in the heart of The City, serving draught beers, punches, expertly crafted cocktails and traditional British pub grub,’ it’s one of several ‘Mr Fogg’s’ locations around London. Mr. Fogg refers, of course, to Phileas J. Fogg Esq, the nineteenth century explorer known for circumnavigating the world in 80 days. The collection of bars bearing his name serves classic cocktails as well as more adventurous bevvies, inspired by Fogg’s worldly travels. The City Tavern is special for its interior decor,