Freelancer Freelancer

Ever found yourself daydreaming, perhaps in the midst of a particularly dull Friday-afternoon meeting, about swan-diving into a giant martini glass? Well, while you won’t need to slap on a pair of goggles (which is for the best anyway – hygiene regs and that), the Absolut Porn Star Martini Townhouse is the next best thing. Popping up at 19 Greek Street from Wednesday October 3 to Saturday October 6 especially for London Cocktail Week, this immersive, multi-sensory experience aims to take visitors on a journey through the iconic Porn Star Martini, which is fast becoming the nation’s favourite cocktail. As you arrive, the first floor delivers some olfactory excitement in the form of a forest filled with a luscious vanilla-scented mist – a nod to Absolut Vanilia, the premium vodka at the heart of the Porn Star Martini. Follow your nose and you’ll end up on the second floor, where you can lose yourself in a bubble maze that celebrates the cocktail’s famous side of fizz. The third floor is all about the fruit – specifically the passion fruit that delivers the Porn Star Martini’s signature zing. Gaze into the Passion Fruit Kaleidoscope – the brainchild of Fred Butler, one of Lady Gaga’s fave designers – and give your eyes a taste of the stimulating pop that hits your palate on that first sip. With your senses fully woken up, it’s time for the main event – a seat at the Absolut Porn Star Martini bar. Here, you can bring it all together and mix up your own Porn Star Martini. There’ll

The days are getting shorter and your mum has started asking what you’re doing for Christmas – yep, autumn is well and truly upon us. But while clinging onto an ex can be just a bit tragic, when it comes to summer, we say there’s no shame in getting attached and stretching the sunny season out for all it’s worth. The folks at Monkey Shoulder are on the same page, meaning you needn’t deny the changing of the seasons alone. The Monkey Mixer Tour is rolling into eight Young’s pubs around the city this month, serving up drinks and summery beats from an epic 11,000-litre truck. Here’s where and when it’s all going down. And remember – if, in the meantime, someone in Nordic knitwear offers you a mug of mulled wine, calmly point at a calendar and tell them to jog on.

French Londoner Dorothee moved to London 14 years ago, and has been in Brixton for the past 11 years. Dorothee is one of many live-in hosts on Airbnb – she lives with her partner and two children, and lets out a single room in their bright, modern townhouse to guests. As she’s discovered, the benefits of hosting visitors to the city can be more than merely financial. What made you decide to become a host on Airbnb?‘Having lodgers has always been part of our lifestyle, so when Airbnb came along, it made sense to use it, especially as we have a spare bedroom that we rarely use, and the simplicity of the app makes it easy to connect with guests.’ What are the main benefits for you of hosting?‘The best thing is that we get to meet so many different kinds of people, from so many countries. We literally bring the world to our kids – that's priceless! The extra money is great too – we mainly spend it on fresh, seasonal produce, which means we barely use supermarkets any more.’ What types of support are available for hosts on Airbnb? ‘I really like our host community – we meet up, discuss and share tips, but also talk about the area we live in, beyond Airbnb. We have a passion for our local area, and the small businesses within it.’ What tips do you have for people new to hosting?‘Don't be afraid to enforce your rules – it's your place, so you get to decide everything for your comfort and that of your guest. It also helps avoid potential awkward conversations, like if someone decide

Nurse Silvia and tech researcher Matteo have lived in Kentish Town for two years, and listed a room in their flat on Airbnb to help finance their addiction to seeing the world. Little did they realise that being hosts also meant they’d get the world coming to them... What made you decide to become Airbnb hosts?‘We’ve used Airbnb as guests for years, and have always loved the concept of the platform. We decided to start hosting because we can set our own rules and host at our own pace.’ What are the main benefits for you of hosting on Airbnb?‘Being a host has allowed us to meet people from all around the world, and they never stop surprising us. Every time is a different experience, and sometimes they bring gifts from their country! It’s great getting to know different cultures and sharing experiences about life.’ What types of support are available for hosts on Airbnb?‘In the few times we’ve had problems, we were able to get support from Airbnb’s resolution centre. Also, for most London boroughs, Airbnb encourages communities of home-sharers to meet and share their tips and advice, giving hosts a direct and personal way to improve their hosting skills and encounters with future guests.’ What tips do you have for people new to hosting?‘Be very clear about what guests can and cannot do, so that they always have the right expectations. Also, communication is key – try to get to know a bit about your guests before they arrive. You can write to them securely through Airbnb’s priv

Uslan has lived in his flat in Hoxton for eight years, and spends his days patrolling the local area with his camera, looking for interesting things to snap. Listing his place on Airbnb gives him the time and cash to visit friends in Europe. Considering a stay? Better sharpen up those reflexes – Uslan has a retro games console and insists guests chalk up a score on his leaderboard. What are the main benefits for you of hosting on Airbnb?‘Obviously the money is beneficial, but having someone in my apartment when I'm away is comforting from a security point of view too, particularly if you live on your own. At times you almost think of it as a house sitter.’ How has the experience of hosting compared to your expectations?‘How quickly bookings can come in was a touch unexpected – I've had multiple requests come in overnight and I feel really bad turning people down. Generally though, given I've frequently been a guest prior to hosting I was pretty prepared in the first place.’ What types of support are available for hosts on Airbnb?‘The fact there's a human element to Airbnb is great – there's always a support line and community of people to help with any issues. It's not faceless – there are plenty of host community events and chances to interact with one another on an individual basis.’ In what ways has hosting on Airbnb changed your relationship with your local community?‘Discovering the community of other hosts that exists in my local area and the good work that they do has

Having lived in Brixton for 25 years, Dennis is more aware than most of the huge changes in the area. Following the departure of a long-term lodger, Dennis put his flat’s spare room on Airbnb, and has since helped hundreds of visitors make the most of his uniquely buzzy corner of the city. What has your experience of hosting been like?‘I’ve been surprised by how popular my listing has been – I guess it helps that I only live three minutes’ walk from Brixton tube station! I’ve met some really nice people – I’ve even been taken out to dinner by a few guests and went to the movies with another.’ How has the extra cash come in handy? What have you spent it on?‘It helped me pay off my mortgage last year, and I was also able to put some money towards getting some fancy hi-tech lighting installed throughout my home.’ Who sets the rules in your home?‘Me! I have very clear house rules and I set check-in and check-out times to suit my schedule. I also set my own rates, get support from my local Airbnb Home Sharing Club and I've had round-the-clock assistance from the staff at Airbnb. Also, Airbnb’s host guarantee means there’s no need to panic if something gets damaged by guests, as you can submit a claim for the cost.’ What tips do you have for people new to hosting?‘Take great pictures of your home and make sure it’s spotless. To help you get started, research other local listings and set lower rates until you get a couple of positive reviews.’ Dennis’s local picks ‘I always tell g

With over 1,600 names in her guestbook, former location manager Tessa prides herself in helping visitors get more out of the city. She began letting out a spare room in her home in Camden during the Olympics, and hasn’t looked back since. ‘I've been a super-host for years,’ she told us. ‘But I'm still learning and I still love doing it.’ What do people get when they stay in your home?‘It's not Ikea and it's certainly not minimal. Every part of the house is packed full of stuff from my travels, and from my career as a location manager in theatre, films and TV.’ What are the main benefits for you of being a host on Airbnb?‘I have ME, and with such a devastating condition, sometimes you can hardly think, let alone interact with people. With Airbnb I'm part of a global community, and part of a host community in London. It’s been a way for me to get back into the world.’ Can you set your own house rules?‘I have complete control. The difference with Airbnb is that it's your home, so you set the rules, and say what you offer and what you don't. I personally have no rules, other than no shoes!’ What tips do you have for people new to hosting?‘The main thing is to be relaxed. Get good linen and towels and keep your home squeaky clean – guests want a clean home and they want to feel that they matter. For support, I would suggest that new hosts use the Airbnb Host Community Centre. You can connect with other hosts, share stories, ask for advice, and get updates from the Airbnb team. Yo

Does this work?

The hum of the photocopier, the headache inducing flicker of the flourescent striplighting, the sheer banality of lift small talk – London’s offices really know how to sap the life out of you. The problem is, working from home isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, either, with the distraction of housework, ‘Tipping Point’ and your local pub a real threat to productivity. The solution is to find somewhere between the two, which is why the rise of co-working spaces has changed the way London works. With fancier furniture than your flat and way better facilities than the average corporate set-up, co-working community Mindspace has venues in some of the world’s most exciting cities, and has just opened a pair of venues in east London. The spaces in Aldgate and Shoreditch come with everything you’d expect of a co-working space in the heart of the city’s tech hub – superfast internet, stylish meeting rooms – along with a few things you probably wouldn’t, like murals painted by local artists, flat whites on tap and an event space that plays host to a busy calendar of social activities. And the really good bit? Membership also allows you to drop in on any of the other 14 (and growing) Mindspace offices around the world, so if you’re in San Francisco (or Washington DC, or Berlin…) for a conference and in desperate need of somewhere to get your head down for a few hours, there’s no need to resort to a busy coffee shop with flaky wifi. Whether you’re a small startup or part of something a

Time Out Submission (Review or Commentary) Competition, Terms and Conditions  HOW TO ENTER This competition (the “Competition”) is organised by Time Out England Limited (“Time Out”) in association with NDL We want you to send us a description of your most loved thing to do in Britain in 100 words or less (the “Entry”). Submit your Entry by filling out the entry form found at INSERT URL between 30th March 2018 and 30th April 2018 for your chance to be selected to win one of five UK city breaks. HOW IT WORKS Complete your entry by submitting your entry, from which one winner will be selected by a panel of judges composed of Time Out employees will select their favourite Entry from the submissions. GENERAL NARRATIVE (REVIEW OR COMMENTARY) COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS   Competition begins at 12:15am on 30th March 2018 (the “Start Date”). Competition closes at 11:45pm on 30th April 2018 (the “End Date”). The competition is open to all UK residents over the age of 18, except employees of Time Out and the Prize Provider. Multiple entries will not be accepted. By uploading your Entry, you understand that you are entering the Competition and agree to these Competition rules (the “Rules”). Time Out reserves the right to exclude any Entry from the Competition at any time if they have a reason to believe that the entrant has breached any of the Rules. Copyright in all Entries submitted for this Competition remains with the respective entrants. However, entrants agree that by s

HOW TO ENTER   This competition is organised by Time Out England Limited (“Time Out”) in association with Tipi (“Prize Provider”). We want you to answer a few questions and describe some specific scenarios to be in with a chance of winning the competition (the “Entry”). Submit your Entry by filling out the entry form found here between 15 January 2018 and 14 February 2018 for your chance to be selected to win a rent-free period of 12 months in a two bed apartment of the Prize Provider’s choosing (the “Competition”).   HOW IT WORKS   Complete your entry by submitting your entry, from which one winner will be selected by a panel of judges from both Time Out and Prize Provider who will select their favourite Entry from the submissions.  GENERAL COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS   1. The Competition begins at 12.15am on 15 JANUARY 2018 (the “Start Date”). The Competition closes at 11:45pm on 14 FEBRUARY 2018 (the “End Date”).The Competition is open to all UK residents over the age of 21, except employees of Time Out and the Prize Provider, its agents, contractors and their family members and any existing residents or tenants of the Prize Provider. 2. Multiple entries will not be accepted. 3. By uploading your Entry, you understand that you are entering the Competition and agree to these Competition rules (the “Rules”). Time Out reserves the right to exclude any Entry from the Competition at any time if they have a reason to believe that the entrant has breached any of the Rules. 4

Time OutCompetitionTerms and Conditions   HOW TO ENTERThe competition by Time Out England Limited (“Time Out”) in association with American Express (“Prize Provider”). We want you to answer the multiple choice question correctly to be in with a chance of winning (the “Entry”). Submit your Entry by filling out the entry form found at INSERT URL between 00.01 BST on September 26 2017 (the “Start Date”). The Promotion closes at 23.59 BST on October 2 2017 (the “End Date”). The prize is 1 x dinner for the winner and a guest of their choosing in Theo Randall’s Desert Island Dishes, at Theo Randall at the InterContinental, InterContinental London, 1 Hamilton Place, London, W1J 7QY (the “Prize Package”).   GENERAL COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS This promotion is only open to UK residents over the age of 18, except anyone professionally connected to the promotion. The Promotion begins at 00.01 BST on September 26 2017 (the “Start Date”). The Promotion closes at 23.59 BST on October 2 2017 (the “End Date”). To Enter: Visit https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/win-dinner-for-two-hosted-by-one-of-londons-greatest-chefs-with-american-express and fill in your full name, contact number and email address to be entered into the prize draw. By entering this promotion, you understand that you are entering the prize draw and agree to these Terms and Conditions. Time Out reserves the right to exclude any Entry from the promotion at any time if they have a reason to believe that the entran