Paula Akpan

When it comes to east African cuisine, we’re talking big flavours, slow-cooked stews and plenty of grilled meats and veg. From a Tanzanian spin on malawax (sweet pancake) to Ethiopian wot (spicy stew), each country's cuisine is often marked with fusion, whether indulging in spice mixes hailing from Yemen, Oman and wider west Asia or bearing culinary legacies from colonial occupation. While west African restaurants tend to get the most fanfare, the cuisines of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya and more are gradually taking up more space in London’s thriving food scene, bringing diners together over slow-roasted lamb shank haniid, marinated beef or lamb tibs or stir-fry, and soft, spongy malawaax flatbread.  In fact, some contemporary east African restaurants are London’s best-kept secrets, frequented by a diaspora seeking community, connection and heritage in the form of hearty fare, and east Africans who have made the capital their home but crave the flavours they’ve known all their lives. From busy cafes in Aldgate to upscale dining in Holloway, these 20 restaurants exhibit the ingenuity and vivacity of east African cuisines, offering a home away from home to all who cross their thresholds. RECOMMENDED: The best west African and Nigerian restaurants in London. Paula Akpan is a Nigerian-Trinidadian writer and historian from London. Food and travel played a huge part in the research for her first book, 'When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors', which is o

Few areas of London are quite as atmospheric as Soho. The place is steeped in history. There are cultural institutions on practically every corner of this bustling central London neighbourhood, from historic drinking dens frequented by famous artists and writers to iconic gay bars, hallowed music venues that have played host to countless jazz, blues and rock’n’roll icons, to relics of the area’s seedy past as London’s primary red light district. As soon as you’re there, the place fizzes with the promise of adventurous evenings and wild nights.  These days, Soho is equal parts edgy and sexy, polished and chic; a glorious mélange of cheap and cheerful gay bars, sleek restaurants, swanky designer boutiques, legendary old cafés and delis, tourists stopping by on the way to a West End show, office escapees necking post-work pints and gleeful teens gliding by on rickshaws blasting the latest chart hits.  🏘️ Ultimate guide to where to stay in London Time Out’s offices are located just a short walk down the road in Covent Garden, which means our editors have spent many lunch hours browsing our way down Carnaby Street, and even more Thursday evenings stopping by the Coach & Horses for ‘a swift one’ before stumbling home via the Cambridge Circus McDonald’s after four pints and a packet of pickled onion Monster Munch. As such, we’re extremely qualified to tell you what is good in this colourful, hectic and quintessentially ‘London’ part of town. So here are 20 of our absolute favourite

New England's is a treasure chest of travel gems. Whether you're craving coastal vibes, nature galore, or college-town buzz, this place has got it all. With its six diverse states—Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts—New England offers historic cities, charming towns and a tapestry of landscapes, from rugged mountains to serene coastlines.For those planning a New England getaway, the first hurdle is planning where to crash, right? From snug log cabins tailor-made for romantic retreats to sprawling country estates that accommodate large families, New England's Airbnb scene is bursting with options to suit every whim.To help you out, we've done the legwork and curated a selection of some seriously cool places to stay across New England. Want a rural retreat? We've got your back. How about a hip city pad? You got it. Maybe even a treehouse? It's all in the mix. Updated March 2025: If you thought these New England Airbnb's couldn't get any better, think again. There are two new additions to the list that we're positive will blow you away – especially if you love private ponds and beachfront living.  RECOMMENDED:🍺 Check out the best Airbnbs in Boston🪵 These are the  coolest cabin stays near Boston ⚾️ Here's where to go when you visit Boston🏨 Explore the best hotels in Vermont Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial re

New York City is iconic (there’s no arguing with that) and while there’s an abundance of luxury spaces, stays with knockout views or spots with incredible pools which would really make your trip, you can’t beat finding a hotel which embodies everything that makes this city so effortlessly, timelessly cool.  After all, a hotel might just be a place you’re planning to rest your weary, tired head after a long day of shopping, eating and sightseeing, but when you think about it, they’re basically your gateway into the city. From oh-so-authentic downtown spots to swish FiDi skyrises and boutique Brooklyn outposts, there’s plenty to choose from. New additions to Time Out’s list for 2025 include The William Vale, The Hoxton, Williamsburg, and The Standard, High Line, but scroll on for an expertly-curated list of the coolest hotels on the block when it comes to where to stay in NYC. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more in

Established by the Romans way back in 76BC, Bath is absolutely drowning in history and its beauty alone makes the city well worth seeing. But don’t worry, it’s got a whole lot more to offer than some fun for the history buffs among us.  This small Somerset city has bags of wonderful things to do, see, and eat whether you’re spending an afternoon or a whole weekend in the place. Take a dip in the baths, wander the Royal Crescent, and enjoy the abundance of theatre, comedy and art - there’s a tonne of culture to drink in, and plenty of quaint settings in which to do it. Here are our top picks for things to do in Bath. RECOMMENDED: 🚆The best day trips from London🍝 The best restaurants in Bath🏰 The best things to do in Castle Combe🌉 The best things to do in Bristol🌤️ The best things to do in the UK🛏️ The best hotels in Bath ✈️ The best weekend breaks from London At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Tradition dictates that Sunday is a day of rest, devoted to long lie-ins and leisurely strolls. But no one told Londoners: this city is just as alive on the sabbath day as on any other day of the week, with city-dwellers racing between the bustling restaurants, bars, exhibitions and shops all competing for our attention. Still, you owe it to yourself to carve out a little corner of relaxation at the end of a hectic week. If you’re on the hunt for a laid-back way to while away those blissful 24 hours before the week starts up again, London has you covered. In the market for a brisk walk? You’ll find plenty within the bounds of the M25. Want to scoff down a hearty Sunday lunch? London’s fine pubs and restaurants have you covered. Just want to lie on a blanket in the park doing sweet FA? You’ll find some stunners in the city and peak weekend bliss with our guide to the most glorious ways to spend a Sunday in London. RECOMMENDED: Find more great events happening this weekend in London.

Strap yourself in; the City of Brotherly Love is quite the ride. There is no shortage of things to do in Philadelphia; whether you are a seasoned local or a fresh-faced tourist pounding the streets for the first time, anyone with a passing interest in green spaces, cheesesteaks and world-class museums will find plenty to sink their teeth into. Philadelphia’s must-see attractions are a love letter to everything that makes the largest city in Pennsylvania so special; then, now, and forever. Charge the camera, because you are about to take a lot of photos... Updated May 2025: We figured one of the country's biggest art galleries was worthy of a spot on the list. Find it below...  RECOMMENDED: The best restaurants in PhiladelphiaThe coolest Airbnbs in Philadelphia The best hotels in Philadelphia At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

If you're after an idyllic SoCal vacation destination, look no further than Santa Catalina Island. With its vibrant wildlife, charming coastal towns, and amazing beaches, it's no wonder the Island is highly sought after. And a trip away to the island has to include a stay in one of the best hotels, ranging from stunning beachside luxury to hilltop charm. Located just 22 miles off the California coast, Catalina is easily accessible by ferry or helicopter. Most opt to take the Catalina Express ferry round-trip (out of Long Beach, San Pedro, or Dana Point), which takes about an hour and offers up to 30 departures daily to Avalon and Two Harbors. Since there's a fair amount of schlepping involved with traveling to (and around) Catalina, you'd be well-advised to pack light and bring some snacks.  Once in Catalina, you can choose between being nestled in the hills or overlooking the sand along one of the best beaches in California. Here, we've outlined the Catalina hotels that best encompass this little island's vibrancy and warmth. March 2025 update: We've added two super hotels to the list: the Aurora Hotel and the Catalina Canyon Hotel. See what you think! RECOMMENDED: The best things to do on Catalina IslandRECOMMENDED: The best bars and restaurants on Catalina IslandRECOMMENDED: Everything you need to know about the Catalina Island ferry Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the

Despite its rep for barbeques, cowboys, and rodeos, Texas is one of the Union’s most diverse and fascinating states. The largest of the lower 48, the Lone Star State ranges from old west towns and desolate arid landscapes to buzzing cities and dazzling seaside resorts. If you’re headed to Texas and need a few pointers on where to stay, well, you’ve struck oil. We’ve worked our way through the state’s many, many Airbnbs to tell you which ones are the absolute best. Read on for our full list of Texas’ finest Airbnbs. Updated march 2025: As if Texas doesn't have enough dreamy stays to choose from, we've added two stunning new options: a luxury home with a pool to write home about and a Dallas apartment that begs to be photographed, again and again and again. RECOMMENDED:🌵 Check out the best things to do in Texas🛎 These are the best hotels in Austin🤠 Visit the best hotels in Dallas 🏨 Check out the best hotels in Houston Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

If you’re new to Edinburgh, it can be hard to know where to start. From a castle in the middle of the city to a palace a mere mile away, it can feel like there’s something worth exploring everywhere you turn. Even for locals, it’s sometimes easy to forget exactly what’s on your doorstep, whether it’s museums and art galleries packed with history, penguin parades or tea with waterfront views. So here’s our pick of the best attractions in Edinburgh – whether you’re a first-time visitor or if you’ve lived here all your life. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in EdinburghThe best Airbnbs in EdinburghThe best hotels in Edinburgh This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Sure, sometimes the most dreary part of a trip is making your way through the airport and New York City is no exception. If it's your first time in the Big Apple, try not to be alarmed by the non-stop busyness, the cab drivers who use their car horns rather liberally, and the cost of said honking cab driver taking to you to your hotel.  Thankfully, you can make your life a whole lot easier by booking yourself a room at one of these hotels near JFK. They might not be as glamorous as some of the best hotels in Manhattan, but a few do appear on our list of the best hotels in Queens. Oh, and be sure to make the most of the location by testing out some of the best Astoria restaurants and best things to do in Queens. Trust us: being able to bypass most of the awful airport traffic makes staying in these JFK airport hotels totally worth it. February 2024 update: one of our favorite hotels (Hilton New York JFK) is currently unavailable, so we've replaced it with an incredible, newly opened hotel we've found: the Marriot New York JFK Airport. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There is nothing that's more quintessentially NYC than Times Square. The epitome of New York life and culture, even the most hardened New Yorker has at one time been enamored by the glow of the flashing LED lights, billowing clouds of street food, and bustling pace of Manhattan’s central hub. Steps away from all the Broadway shows and some of the most famous restaurants in NYC, these hotels range from time-honored establishments to international chains and cutting-edge boutiques, ideal for first-timers to the buzzing city and veteran travelers alike. If you want to stay close to the twinkling lights of the city (never leave without a pair of sunglasses), here are the best hotels near Times Square for your next New York City vacation. Updated for December 2024: Because New York's diverse hotel scene knows no bounds, we thought we'd add a few more inclusions to broaden your search a little further. Newbies include a beautiful contemporary hotel and one that really goes in for quirky decor. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

At Sabiib aesthetically pleasing plates all demand a moment of admiration, from the hummus oodkac (traditional dried beef jerky) and meat sambus (filo pastry parcels) with homemade spicy bisbaas sauce, to nafaqo (mashed sweet potato, sauteed spinach and mixed veg) with a meat of your choice. Not playing about? Get a platter to share, featuring Sabiib’s signature haniid (slow-cooked lamb shoulder) and your other chosen meat. Round it off with some Somali-style pasta and sabaayad (flatbread), perfect for mopping up your platter. Time Out tip Treat yourself to a shaah, Somali spiced chaii tea made with Sabiib’s very own blend. 

Addis prides itself on fresh and homemade dishes, which chimes with the homey feel of this wood-panelled joint, its walls adorned with Amharic sayings and snapshots of Ethiopian iconography. Dig into vegan dishes like misir wot, a spicy red lentil stew, or go for a traditional staple like kitfo, finely chopped lean beef marinated with special Ethiopian butter and mitmita (powdered bird’s eye chilli). Scoop it all up with injera, a soft and fermented pancake-like bread baked in-house, for the full effect. Time Out tip Overwhelmed by choice? Order the Addis Special for two and enjoy a mixed platter of chicken, lamb and vegetables in order to try a bit of everything. 

A much-loved Ethiopian restaurant in Upper Holloway, this family-run affair offers food from generations of passed-on kitchen wisdom, with each dish embodying one family’s commitment to the craft of Ethiopian cooking. Their most popular is doro wot, a flavoursome chicken stew served with injera, which goes down extremely well with tej (sweet honey wine). Keep an eye on their menu as they’re always adding new dishes or trying out seasonal specials, like quanta fitfit, specially dried meat cooked in a spicy sauce and mixed with injera. Time Out tip  Wolkite’s set menus are a steal, especially if you’re dining as a pair - nab the mahberawi for a mixed platter of beef, chicken, lamb, cottage cheese and vegetables. 

Hearty cuisine, with a menu offering diners a whistle-stop tour of Uganda’s most famed dishes at favourable prices. The binyebwa (groundnut soup with meat) evokes memories of home for Ugandans in London, while their tilapia fish dishes are popular, and served with ugali or cassava. Of course, there are plenty of root vegetable staples to order alongside mains such as yam, cassava, matooke and more. Dig in with your fingers, don’t be shy.

Named after an ancient port on the Red Sea in Eritrea, Brixton’s Adulis has been bringing the legacy of this historic east African city to south London since 1996. Nicknamed ‘Little Eritrea’, this cosy, low-lit restaurant will offer you a culinary education, from injera (or taita) and tsebhi (stew mainly prepared with beef, chicken, mutton or veg) to timtimo, a vegetarian dish with spiced lentil dahl and tomatoes. But it’s more than the food here; in Eritrean cultures, a meadi (meal) only begins when all members of a family are in position to break injera together. It’s a family affair at Adulis and you can consider yourself invited to dig into tsebhi crafted with heart. Time Out tip Don’t miss the Adulis special, which features sauteed lamb cubes with spices and herbs in a charcoal-heated clay pan.

The thing about biopics is that the creative team begins at a disadvantage – not only do they have to produce something that satisfies as entertainment, but their representation of the historical figure has to win out against the viewer’s own preconceived notions. We’ve already formed a pretty robust image of that person in our heads and, let’s be frank, we often don’t like to be challenged on what we feel to be true. It takes a spectacular effort to make us think otherwise. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody – directed by Harriet’s Kasi Lemmons written by Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour) takes on the challenge with limited success. Across 146 minutes, the film does its best to cram in every detail on the pop singer and actor (played by Naomi Ackie) and her meteoric ascent from the gospel choir to the Superbowl. Such a tack normally spells only the most surface level engagement with the subject. Unfortunately for this biopic, it follows suit.   Viewers are swung from one critical moment to the next, with scenes feeling blurred or leaving unanswered questions. As the once-obscure vocalist inches towards the height of her fame, Houston’s relationship with assistant Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams) feels simultaneously central and tacitly engaged with, mournful glances and circular inferences do much of the heavy lifting for what might have been a powerful and direct corrective. Cementing her legacy as ‘The Voice’ in the late 1980s and early ’90s, we’re introduced to t

This year has given us a number of unexpected offerings, but a queer Christmas film is not one we saw coming. Co-writer and director Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season follows a lesbian couple, Harper (Mackenzie Davis) and Abby (Kristen Stewart), as they head to Harper’s family home to celebrate the festive season. It’s only halfway through the car journey there that Harper reveals quite a fairly important detail to Abby: she hasn’t come out to her straight-edged, conservative family. Abby, whose plans to propose to her girlfriend over Christmas are scuppered, finds herself taking on the role of Harper’s straight roommate. Cue chaos.  Quite literally made for the role of the awkwardly charming lesbian, Stewart shines as we watch Abby navigate Harper’s overly competitive family and reckon with the slow realisation that the woman she’s fallen for turns into a closeted high-school mean girl when she’s back in her hometown.  Alongside the classic holiday high jinks, Happiest Season promises humorous explorations of personal authenticity, family dynamics (both biological and chosen) and the complexities of queerness. However, it doesn’t quite manage to tick all those boxes and throws you into darker ethical quandaries than you might expect from a festive flick. Most of these – such as Harper’s stream of selfish and questionable decisions – are left barely explored or even acknowledged. You’ll find yourself frustratedly gesturing towards the screen – particularly if you’re a queer viewe

Just when you thought that London couldn’t take on any more drag queens, the mother of them all deigns to grace us with her presence. No, not RuPaul – Elizabeth I. This Friday, performer Christopher Green will be lacing up in regal garments based on the famous ‘Armada Portrait’, donning a ginger wig and tackling the role of the original Liz for the one-off performance piece ‘Elizabeth I: Construction of an Icon’. Starting at 10.45am at the Queen’s House – site of Greenwich Palace, where the monarch was born in 1533 – the ‘Queen’ will cruise upstream on a Thames Clipper and proceed in state from the London Eye to the National Portrait Gallery, accompanied by ‘ladies of the bedchamber’ – members of the Amies Freedom Choir, survivors of human trafficking who use their music to raise cultural awareness. On arrival at the NPG, ‘Elizabeth’ will be viewing her portraits and posing for a life drawing session with her loyal subjects. Between the costumes, the pomp, the powerful message of the choir and the whole performance, you won’t ever have seen anything like this before.

Opportunities to work up a sweat on the London tourist circuit are usually limited to queuing for Madame Tussauds in July. But the London Landmarks Half Marathon offers a chance to check out the sights, get some exercise and raise money for charity. Founded in 2018, it’s the only half-marathon to go through both the City of London and Westminster on closed roads, giving runners a unique route past icons such as Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye. For spectators, it’s a great day out with plenty of race-day entertainment. Catch performances from singers, dancers and musicians, take a free guided history tour, discover under-the-radar sites like the house where the Gunpowder Plot was hatched and meet some historic and fictional Londoners, with a tribute to the world of Harry Potter. It’s a one-day transformation of central London, and you can enjoy it even if you couldn’t run a bath.

Back in the day, London's historic canal network used to be smelly and industrial. Now though? Canalside neighbourhoods are some of the prettiest in the city – and are great places to live. Think: well-connected walking routes, heaps of hip coffee shops, and windows overlooking the water. Here's a quick roundup of some of the city's best.  Andy Parsons The extremely well-connected one: King’s Cross  What’s it like? You might know it as the home of trains and a big Waitrose, but thanks to some extremely chichi development work, King’s Cross is now the proud owner of numerous sparkling pedestrianised squares, canalside sunbathing spots, posh restaurant chains (hello, Dishoom!) and the bougie outdoor shopping mall Coal Drops Yard. Basically, move here and you’ll never run out of Aesop.  Best places to eat and drink? Granary Square Brasserie does a mean steak tartare, then roll over to nearby pub The Lighterman for a pint on its pretty terrace. Any downsides? If you’re after a quiet neighbourhood, give this one a wide berth. King’s Cross is buzzing well into the early hours. How much would it cost to rent a place here? According to property aficionados Rightmove (who let us know all the prices in this piece), the average rent is £2,958 per month. And to buy? An eye-watering £1,094,282.       Matt Russell The hip one: Hackney Wick  What’s it like? This east London area has a vibrant but kinda weird energy. Once home to a community of artists living in warehouses, it’s now fil

Enfield Town was my regular haunt as a young person. On London Road, there was a place called the Townhouse where you could learn how to dance tap, ballroom and disco. In 1983, when I was about nine or ten, I met my friend Hayley at the Townhouse and we found that a National Front march was taking place on the street that day. An old woman with a tartan shopping trolley told me to hide in a shopfront. She said: ‘The people coming down here don’t like your sort.’ Hayley, being white, blonde and blue-eyed, kept an eye out while I hid. I saw these big burly men in bomber jackets and steel-toecapped DMs, with swastikas in tow. I will never forget that. I was utterly frightened of these men. The next day, I asked my history teacher why we were learning about Henry VIII rather than slavery. I didn’t have the language to articulate how I felt. As I got older, I turned some of that anger into passion. I worked for a trade union and studied labour relations. Had that march not happened, I wouldn’t have challenged my teachers or entered into the work I do now. I only went to the Townhouse once after the march. I guess I had felt free up until that moment.  UK Black Pride will be three-day digital event this year. July 2-July 4. Read more from this series: Candice Carty-Williams reminisces about the Camberwell market of her childhood Dane Baptiste on his first stand-up gig, in a London wine bar

Picture this: it’s the year 2019. You’re sat on a jam-packed tube, sopping wet from one of London’s familiar downpours. Some stranger is essentially sat on your lap while the elbows of the person to your left keep nudging you, as they desperately try to rectify their drenched face of make-up. Your stop is approaching – oh wait, no, it’s here! You wrangle through the masses to alight. As you step off, it dawns on you: bollocks, you’ve left your umbrella. Safely on the platform, you mournfully watch the tube whizz away with your only protection from the elements outside. But could it be that you might be reunited with your beloved brolly? London Bridge restaurant Bala Baya has found a handy use for your lost property, by launching the Discarded Umbrella Winter Garden. Burak Can Aksit The Israeli-inspired eatery is inviting guests to drink and dine under a colourful canopy of London’s finest lost brollies, having sourced 200 forgotten umbrellas from the London Underground. Not only is it a visually stunning cover, but it’ll also protect you from the unpredictable outlook while doing your outdoor socialising this winter. And bonus points if you bring an umbrella to donate to the display: you’ll snag £1 off one of Bala Baya’s cocktails. Bring two, and you get £2 off... you get the idea. So if you’re missing the tube – or worse still, your favourite weather protector – head on down for a little throwback in among the Tel Aviv flavours. Bala Baya is at Arch 25, 229 Union St, SE1

I grew up in Streatham but my family and I would go to different markets most weekends. East Street Market in Camberwell was my favourite. It was where my nan would get nighties, socks and knickers from. I have all these memories of being in this loud market filled with people from every walk of life. It was an incredibly vibrant place. When I was younger, with no sense of direction, I didn’t understand where exactly East Street Market was. It dawned on me when I got older and started getting the bus to Camberwell. The first time I heard ‘East Street Market’ on the tannoy, I nearly lost my mind. It had been this mythological place from my childhood and suddenly it was real. I’ve never visited the market as an adult. I wanted to leave it as it was because I was so heartbroken at Brixton Market turning into something I didn’t understand. Visiting the same spaces and being respectful of them since I was a child means that I’ve always had gentrification on my radar. So much of my work is concerned with how things change and how we lose the connection that we had to them. I want to remember East Street as the magical marketplace I visited at the weekends. ‘Queenie’ by Candice Carty-Williams is out now in paperback (Trapeze, £8.99). Follow Candice Carty-Williams on Twitter.  Read more from this series: What Rye Lane in Peckham means to presenter Yinka Bokinni. Michael Dapaah on Recreation Way, the estate he grew up on.

Around 2015, I lived near The Royal Vauxhall Tavern on Kennington Lane in Vauxhall. It was around the time that I first started performing in London. I basically lived at the Tavern – I was either there working or watching performances. Vauxhall became the first place, outside of my home in Bristol, where I felt like I knew the beat of it. I would walk past the Tavern when it was open and I’d stop for ten minutes and have a chat with the security guard or have a cigarette with someone I knew in the pub. My career grew while living near Kennington Lane. The Tavern is the only venue in London where I’ve performed so often over the years you can see my growth as an artist. If you know your queer history, you can throw a penny from Kennington Lane and probably hit a legend. The Tavern is the oldest LGBTQ+ venue in the country and there have been some amazing performers there. Doing shows there was an education for me – when you’re not trained as a performer, you learn in the clubs. I miss living there. Kennington Lane was really foundational for me. Long live The Royal Vauxhall Tavern!  ‘Overflow’ by Travis Alabanza is at The Bush Theatre. Dec 8-22. Read more from this series: Dane Baptiste on his first stand-up gig, in a London wine bar. Jade Anouka on her formative years in a New Cross flatshare.

When I graduated from drama school at 21, I rented a flat on Troutbeck Road with two mates, one who I’d met at drama school and another I’d met at the National Youth Theatre. Living there shaped the person and the actor I am today. At the time, I wasn’t acting that much but I was working three jobs. I’d come home and the three of us would look for auditions. A lot of rejection happened in that house. It was there that I developed a thick skin for this job. But a lot of my firsts happened in the three years I lived there too: my first TV gig, my first lead in a Shakespeare play. The road is quite close to Goldsmiths and Camberwell College of Arts and that’s definitely represented in the area – there’s so much creativity and so many interesting characters. I worked in a café down the road and met loads of locals. I’d learn my lines while I was serving people. Everyone would say good luck. If I’m in the area, I sometimes go back to the road for nostalgia. I still think about the variety of life there that inspired me with my work. Living on Troutbeck Road nourished me in more ways than I can count. Jade Anouka is in ‘His Dark Materials’ on BBC One. Read more from this series: What Rye Lane in Peckham means to presenter Yinka Bokinni. Candice Carty-Williams reminisces about East Street Market.

I’ve lived in Dalston for six years. I remember thinking that I was an adult because I’d finished university so therefore needed to live in London. I had two requirements for the location – I needed to be able to easily buy plantain and get products for my hair. My best friend and I found a flat just off Ridley Road Market with a Pak’s hair shop on the corner. It was a dream come true. Ridley Road Market is one of my favourite places in London. If I’ve had a stressful day, I just walk down the street and it calms me. I like the fact that everything in a bowl costs a pound. I can buy a yam if I want. I mean, it’s been six years and I haven’t bought one yet but it’s good to know that I can. In 2016, I ran a feminist comedy night, Manic Pixie Dream Girls, at Dalston Roof Park, which overlooks Ridley Road. I decided to do a comedy festival with my friends, comedian Lolly Adefope and poet Bridget Minamore. This idea we’d had turned into a magical place with music and comedy. It was a beautiful night and marked the beginning of my comedy career. For me, Ridley Road is the most perfect bit of London.  Follow Sophie Duker on Twitter and Instagram @sophiedukebox. Looking for more places to hang out in east London? Hackney’s Towpath Café has reopened (and it’s doing dinner).  Time Out’s Love Local campaign is supporting local food, drink and culture businesses in London. Find out how you can help save the places that make our city great.

Rye Lane is the road that paints a picture of my youth. I was born and raised in Peckham and that street is where most of my memories are. It’s where I had my first drink, in a bar opposite the train station that doesn’t exist any more. I still remember watching ‘Coach Carter’ at Peckhamplex. The screen broke but the manager said we wouldn’t get our money back because we’d only paid £2.99 for the tickets. My mum passed away 11 years ago and Rye Lane brings back memories of my family. She’d make us go shopping and walk the bags all the way home instead getting the bus four stops. I don’t live in Peckham any more, but I come back to get my hair done, as it’s the land of Black haircare. Working in radio, the sounds of Rye Lane have always been inspiring. If you walk from Asda towards Peckham Rye station, you’ve got shops blaring radios, gospel music coming from churches and the sounds of the market. It’s eclectic. I often think about how weird it is when you move out of an area and you’re no longer there to see the mundane. The mundane becomes quite beautiful. Yinka Bokinni presents ‘Damilola: The Boy Next Door’ on Channel 4. Broadcast date TBC. Read about how Brixton Courtyard brought clubbing back to London (kind of). Time Out’s Love Local campaign is supporting local food, drink and culture businesses in London. Find out how you can help save the places that make our city great.

The word to describe Tanya Compas is ‘exuberant’. I’m sat with the youth worker on a bench in Peckham Rye Park’s Japanese garden, halfway between her place and mine. It’s the height of one of this summer’s sporadic heatwaves and the combination of the bright rays and her infectious energy is dazzling. It’s no wonder the 28-year-old has built a loyal following of thousands on Twitter and Instagram. When she talks about her work, you can’t help but feel invigorated. Right now, Compas is overjoyed. A couple of weeks ago, a crowdfunder she created to help her support Black queer young people around the country smashed its initial target of £10,000, raising more than £100,000. That’s ten times what she’d hoped for it. The success was Compas’s most widely reported action, but it’s not the first time she’s made a huge impact within her community. In fact, while you might only just be learning Compas’s name, she’s quietly been changing the lives of young Londoners for years. ‘It’s hard to navigate the charity sector as a Black queer woman, even within queer charities with other queer people, because it’s still inherently white with so many biases,’ says Compas. ‘They don’t acknowledge that how they view these young people can impact the level of care they’re given. They see their Blackness and therefore, view them as strong [and needing less help]. Even within queer-run charities, you see young Black queer people being systematically failed and often reliving cycles of trauma – it’s

To say that the pandemic has been tough on LGBTQ+ young people would be putting it lightly. The past few months have seen rises in job losses and unstable employment - and of course, we’ve all been locked down in our homes. This has been bad for everyone. But has especially exacerbated issues that members of the community are already vulnerable to, such as homelessness. During lockdown, Switchboard, the north London-based LGBTQ+ helpline, reported a spike of 20% more calls, emails and instant messages than they did before the pandemic. including LGBTQ+ people who have come out during isolation and are in danger of being kicked out by unsupportive family members. Natasha Walker, Switchboard’s co-chair, shares that the helpline has a huge influx of calls from trans and gender-nonconforming folks: ‘One thing we’re all very aware of right now is the pausing of gender-treating, gender-affirming surgery, and gender clinics having to shut down or really strip back their services.’ That’s why the cancellation of this year’s Pride events, such as UK Black Pride and Pride In London, has hit hard. These annual gatherings and protests have historically offered LGBTQ+ folks a space to celebrate and affirm our identities – even when there’s not space to do that at home. However, despite unprecedented challenges, queer organisers continue to demonstrate that spaces for our communities can be carved out anywhere. This year, it’s just meant going online.   Photograph: International Transgend

Looking for activities to fill the hours you’d usually spend having nice pints with pals in the pub? If you’re prepared to pivot to wholesome, we have a solution for you: loads of cool London makers have been bringing out DIY kits over the past few weeks, meaning you can get creative without leaving your sofa. There’s everything from brewing to pottery to collaging – and the best thing is that if it turns out you’re shit at whichever craft you pick, no one has to know (just shove the result of your making session to the back of a cupboard and forget about it forever).  1. Fill a terrarium Not got a garden? Make your own tiny one in a jar. Wardian London and Botanical Boys’ terrarium kits come with plant materials, a glass vessel and courier delivery (starting price £28). Order the one you want and then join a virtual workshop (running on selected Mondays until June 22) to learn how to put it together.    Photograph: Botanical Boys         2. Embroider some stuff  Shopping for new threads may not be high up on your list right now but that doesn’t mean you can’t customise what you already have. Get crafty with London Embroidery Studio’s beginners’ hand-embroidery kit (£29.99), which comes with needles, yarn and more. Once you’ve got your newly upcycled wardrobe, make sure you arrange a fashion show via Google Hangouts – it’s only right. 3. Make a whole bike Although we’re all social distancing, you can still get active outside while following guidelines on non-essential conta

That’s what we’re calling the urge to squeeze as much green into our lives as quickly as possible once the rain has finally stopped and we escape self-isolation. The talk The Hayward Gallery’s ‘Among the Trees’ exhibition already has us pumped about trunks, but did you know it’s doing talks too? Have a small existential crisis as you learn about the world’s oldest living things with artist Rachel Sussman. Hayward Gallery. Waterloo tube. Mar 24. £7.50. The big one Chelsea Fringe (the flower show’s less Tory sibling) is always full of edgy ways to connect with plants. The schedule will be revealed soon but expect unusual workshops and smart guided walks. Multiple venues. May 16-24. The craft sesh Make a (recycled glass) terrarium full of ferns and foliage while getting shitfaced on a surprisingly strong gin cocktail at this 90-minute workshop, held conveniently close to Mother’s Day. Harvey Nichols. Knightsbridge tube. Sat Mar 21. £65. The show-and-tell Scientists who work through the night in order to collect moths are unsung heroes of the natural research world. Find out more about their escapades at the Natural History Museum’s ‘A Night in the Jungle’ event. It’s even being held in the so-called Attenborough Suite. Natural History Museum. South Kensington tube. Fri May 15. Free. Want to explore London on a bit more? Here are the capital's prettiest walks