Your Sunday morning best-of-Londonist weekly round-up. Want to get this as an email? Sign up for Sunday Best here.
Must-read articles
- If any of these tube facts come up in a pub quiz, something's gone very wrong.
- Is it possible to find good Burmese food in London? (Take a look at London's best Nigerian food while you're at it.)
- Look like Star Wars locations, these London landmarks do.
- It's ideal weather to stow away in a cosy pub with a roaring fire.
- Thanksgiving's on Thursday. There are some great places for Americans (and hono[u]rary Americans) to tuck into Thanksgiving dinner.
- If you're thinking about Christmas shopping already, we've got some ideas for things that will make your transport geek friend very happy.
- Speaking of Christmas shopping, these are the best times to visit London shopping centres to dodge the crowds.
- This is what the Monopoly board looks like with today's rental prices.
- Where to drink cider in London.
Did you know...
- ...how much London's most expensive rented house costs? Go on, have a guess.
- ...by day, it's a shopping mall, by night the Stratford Centre becomes a skaters' paradise.
- ...Bentley, Chrysler & Dodge, Vauxhall, Lotus and Renault all used to have factories in London.
- ...what links a prime minister, a hospital and a gambling supremo?
London news
- Make sure you're registered to vote, otherwise London could lose some MPs.
- A model village which was part of Banksy's Dismaland has come to London.
- Liverpool Street bus station is closed from today until spring next year. These are the alternative arrangements.
- London Borough of Harrow has been crowned the Best All Round Small Business Friendly Borough for its work to promote start-ups and business growth...
- ...while there were some odd choices in this year's Love London Awards.
- Plans for the first TfL homes have been unveiled.
- Bromley has some, er, interesting Christmas lights this year... except all is not as it seems.
- Designs for Crossrail trains have been unveiled.
Tickets and offers
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GANDINI JUGGLING:
Jacksons Lane in Highgate hosts a circus show that's definitely not for kids. Expect six jugglers and three dancers in a show that features hammers, nudity and a comedy sketch, to celebrate the venue's 40th anniversary. £12, until 24 November
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THE VACCINES:
English indie rock band The Vaccines are back, with two live dates at the O2 Academy Brixton, performing their new album English Graffiti. £28.50, 23 November/26 November
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1000 LONDONERS MOVIE NIGHT:
Head to Stow Film Lounge in Walthamstow to watch a series of short films about London's fighters including a Shaolin monk and the world’s top Street Fighter gamer. Rare archive footage of London will also be shown, and a chance to take part in a Q&A with the film makers. £5, 26 November
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MUSEUM AFTER HOURS:
Sir John Soane's Museum in Holborn stays open late, for an evening exploring its role as a shrine to death. Take an after hours stroll through the current Death and Memory exhibition, and hear from Acting Director Helen Dorey. If this all sounds a bit heavy, you'll get a complimentary glass of wine to lighten the mood. £10, 27 November
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FOODIES FESTIVAL:
If all the Christmas sandwiches on offer at the moment haven't got you into the festive spirit, the Foodies Festival will. The culinary event in Brick Lane has over 150 food producers selling their wares, Christmas cocktail masterclasses and speakers including Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain. From £9, 27-29 November
SEALIFE AFTER DARK:
Visit the London Aquarium on South Bank after hours and come face to face with marine wildlife at an adults-only event. Enjoy a welcome drink to steel your nerves before stepping on a glass walkway over the shark tank. £29, 28 November
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MUSIC BY CANDELIGHT:
Head to St James's Church in Piccadilly to hear chamber ensemble London Concertante perform Vivaldi's Four Seasons by candlelight. Work by Bach, Telemann and Torelli will also be performed. From £14, 28 November
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Join us for a night of London booze
At this special event with Conway Hall, we drink in London's rich and boozy culture (responsibly, of course), looking at the history of London’s beer and gin life; and touching on pubs past, present and future.
Sample the wares of Five Points, Brew By Numbers, Wild Card, Hop Stuff and more, and hear from experts including author Pete Brown, sommelier Melissa Cole and writer Richard Barnett.
London Is Drinking, 30 November (that's next Monday!), 7.30pm-9pm (the bar is open from 6.30pm, and then after the event until about 10pm), Conway Hall. Tickets £8, £5 concessions available here.
Top reviews
- ART: Alice travels down the rabbit hole in this Alice in Wonderland exhibition at the British Library ★★★★☆
- EXHIBITION: Cycle Revolution at the Design Museum covers the whole cycling spectrum, from space age packages to courier bikes ★★★★★
- EXHIBITION: The V&A's Japanese Gallery has reopened, and it's replete with treasures ★★★★☆
- STAGE: Morgen Und Abend at Royal Opera House is a relentless sensory assault ★★★☆☆
Things to do
- You've got one more week to see all six James Bonds side by side.
- Take a wander along Regent's Canal, from Warwick Avenue to Regent's Park, guided by this hand-drawn map.
- Take on Sherlock Holmes's arch-nemesis in this cryptic team treasure hunt.
- Head to London Transport Museum after hours for a special screening of 1929 classic silent film, Piccadilly.
- Looking for arty happenings? Check out which of November's exhibitions are worth a visit.
- Not got your New Year's Eve plans sorted yet? Find out where the best London parties are happening.
- From West End showstoppers to local treats, take a look at London's best Christmas theatre shows.
- 10 original things to do with your mates this Christmas.
- See the Pepys exhibition at National Maritime Museum — this week's podcast takes a tour.
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