Canary Wharf Ice Rink

One cold evening my flatmate Emily and I decided to go Iceskating. After a little research we found out the Canary Wharf Ice Rink is only 11 pounds for students. So off we went to get into the Christmas mood. 

Iceskating in England is different from Iceskating in Europe in the sense that you pay for a “session” which is usually an hour long, and you have to get off the ice and return the rental skates after your session. We planned well, so we arrived 20 minutes before our session, put our bags in lockers, and exchanged our shoes for skates. I tend to get used to the ice more if I listen to some My Chemical Romance, so I put on Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge and off I went on to the ice. 

Over the course of the hour, I only fell over twice. Emily managed to never fall over. It was nice to skate outside and see all the Christmas lights. I love iceskating because its a work out without being too sporty, almost everyone can skate a little. 

It was really nice to see the mix of people skating and since it was a Monday night it wasn't too crowded so you could skate which ever direction you wanted. Overall, I loved it, it was probably my best skating experience in the UK. Its a great place to go after work for a bit, and there are bars right next to it, so you can get a drink to warm you up after. 

Here’s the rink’s website: http://www.icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk/

(TimeOut.com has also featured all the other open-air rinks that have been set up around London)

DSTRKT

London is great for going out. But the best places are in central London. Those few times my friends and I have bothered to go all the way to Piccadilly Circus to go out we’ve often ended up at DSTRKT. DSTRKT is the kind of place you can’t get into if you’re not on the guestlist. Most promoters in London have at least one night a week where they party at DSTRKT.

We often went to there on Mondays where they did a sort of student night. But I’ve been there on the weekend too. Its a little bit more tense on the weekend, so they care more about what you’re wearing. With a promoter you have a table and vodka with cranberry or orange juice at the table. This means you can party with out spending money, if you’re a girl. Entrance is free for girls prior to 11pm, after 11 they pay the same as the male fare which is 20 pounds. 

You end up drinking more than 20 pounds worth, so its worth it. I’ve never had to pay entrance, but I’ve always gone there very early in the evening. The club is great, the music goes in phases, the first hour or so is general house music, and then it blends into commercial and R&B music but blended with a house vibe. The dance floor is in the middle of some of the tables, so you have to find your way up there. But once you’re there you don’t want to leave. 

One time they had a violinist playing with the house music. It was amazing. In conclusion, I’ve had many good nights at DSTRKT and even some great nights, if you’re in London its worth checking out, especially if you want to do something a little special and out of the norm. 

Here’s their website: http://www.dstrkt-london.com/

Barrio North

On the fifth of May Mexican people celebrate "Cinco de Mayo". Since this year I didn't get to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I felt like it was my duty as a person to go out and drink on another day that is celebrated with alcohol. So in the evening on the 5th of May we decided to go drink margheritas at Barrio North near Angel. 

The place was decorated with pinatas and colourful banners, whenever you bought a drink they've offer you a stick on mustache and the first round of margheritas were 8 pounds each, but after that they were 5 pounds each. The drinking festivities started around 8pm, and continued on until about 3am. The music was fun and fast pace with a mix of latin music with newer house music and the occasional reggae piece. 

The outside smoking area was really nice too, cause there different coloured tiles all along the entrance, giving you the impression you're not in London. The main dancing area was really crowded, and there were so many different people out enjoying their night. Further back into the venue there were some couches and stools for people to sit, talk and relax which for us was really good at the start of the night, before the first few drinks.

The back section of the bar had really cool wallpaper with cut outs from newspapers, and pictures of Mexican wrestlers. The bathroom had a repetitive print of golden skulls all over the walls too. I think what I enjoyed most is that the bar was so authentic to the night's celebration. Even the stamp they put on our hand when we went in had a Mexican wrestling mask on it. 

Here's their webpage: http://www.barrionorth.com/

Love Shake

On Shoreditch high street there is an amazing milkshake place called "Love Shake". You can get shakes with oreo, peanut butter, short cake, traditional flavours (strawberry, chocolate, vanilla), and alcoholic ones. They also serve food, but i don't recommend getting food cause the milkshakes are so filling.

The interior of Love Shake is very retro, there are pictures of Elvis and Wonderwoman from the old comic books. There are booths set up on the sides and their tables are set up like old diner table. They have cute lamps with cheesy lampshades and mirrors on the walls. My favourite thing is that the bathroom doors are covered with men and women from the 50's.

I go to Love Shake way too often, I go at least once a week, I can't get enough of their shakes. Here's their webpage: http://www.theloveshake.co.uk/

Butchery Bingo

Every Monday the Shoreditch butchery has a bingo night. There's a 2 pound entry fee if you don't book a table. I recommend you go in a group its more fun that way.

A man with a beautiful purple wig, wearing a neon green leotard and sequins platform boots hands you the bingo cards and explains how we'll be playing the game. He also lets you know that there will be swearing and sexual language throughout the games. He's very charismatic and his banter is one of the highlights of the night.

If someone on your team gets a bingo,you all scream "bingo" and someone heads over to the podium. If your numbers are all right then you win prizes and a round of shots for your table. The full game of bingo is played 3 times throughout the night, giving you 9 chances to win something.

We first won cocopops, then a mixed CD, a notebook, and finally a glee board game. In total we won 6 rounds if free shots too. It was insane.

The interior of the place is so cool and edgy, its as thought they converted a location into this tribal theme but leaving etched art in the walls too.

I can't wait to go back another Monday!

Here's the venue's website: shoreditchbutchery.co.uk