Election Day

It's election day in the UK and London and all of the candidates are hoping to hit a bullseye with the voters. But who will it be in the top seat tomorrow? While we're waiting to find it, it turns out there are a ton of great parties and places to watch the election in London tonight! Here are some of the best ones:

1. Pizza Express' Millbank branch are pulling an all-nighter on 6th May and hosting an election night screening.

2. Foodies Bompass & Parr opened their Parliamentary Waffle House on Carnaby Street. Pick strawberry, banana or blueberry waffles to 'cast' your vote. They're open all night tonight!

3. The Hampton's Bar in St James' Park is shaking up political party-themed cocktails – blue gin or Curacao if you're Tory, a Labour Red Rascal made with raspberry liqueur, or if your Nick Clegg-inclined a passion fruit first-past-the-post is for you.

So there you have it! Get out there and enjoy the election in a celebratory way in London!

Where to Drink in London When You're Dead

With Halloween just on the horizon I'm wondering whereabouts in London you can grab a spooky pint. I stumbled across a nice little article on Spoonfed that gave a great run down on haunted pubs in London.

The venues are scattered across London, including places like The Old Queen's Head and The Volunteer which are both excellent pubs!

Check them all out for yourself with Spoonfed's take on London's best haunted pubs!

How to get cheap fares on the London Underground

If the summer has been as much as a drain on your wallet as it's been on mine then you'll be pleased hear about some of these brilliant tips for saving money when you're travelling around London.

Click here for more info on how to get cheap fares on London Public Transport.

Travels in...Notting Hill Part 2

I know I've already given a pretty good overview of what to expect from travelling around Notting Hill but I couldn't resist giving you lot a preview of one of the greatest attractions that West London has to offer, which sadly only comes once a year.

The brilliant Notting Hill Carnival kicks off tomorrow and is held every year on the August Bank Holiday weekend. It's one huge street party and the only time you'll be allowed to dance, drink, and stomp around to a massive sound system in the streets of London. There are also plenty of gastronomic delights to be had, which all reflect the event's cultural heretidge.

If you're new to London, in town for a visit or are (maddingly) a London resident who has never experienced this fantastic festival, then make sure you get down there pronto!

But be warned, this event can become messy and there are lot of safety tips that should be followed, so check your travel information before you head out.

Travels in...Canary Wharf

Hmm...Canary Wharf really isn't the first place you think of for a good night out or a bit of culture but you would be suprised what an often dreary place like this has got up it's sleeve.

I first experienced a little of it's cultural agenda back in December when they opened the Canary Wharf ice rink. The atmosphere was great and a lot more sophisicated than the roller-disco/children's party them of most rinks. The adjacent Moose Bar keeps to cocktails flowing but I also saw quite a few families enjoying the ice, which made it an overall enjoyable experience.

Throughout Easter and Summer they've had a series of music and art events, which are improving year on year. This area is becoming an increasingly popular backdrop in many film and TV productions such as Doctor Who, Torchwood and 28 Days Later.

At the beginning of Septemeber, the Canary Wharf Film Festival is bringing some much needed glitz, glam and artistic integrity to this little stretch of island. The full line-up of films and details of how to get involved can be found on their website.

Travels in...London Pubs

Here's a brilliant idea for geeks who love their ale. A London tube map replaced with the names of the best pub in that area. There are still some places left to contribute your favourite London watering holes and from the looks of things it can be any type of pub or bar you fancy.

Serious London drinkers have needed a fun and accesible way to get the best pub info for a while - my only concern is that after a few pints, will they have any idea where they are? I'll say this for one thing though - it's going to take a lot of hassle out of planning that next pub crawl event eh?

Click here for the map so far

Funny travels on the Tube

Perhaps it's a sign of the times that London's Tube Drivers are to be given a book of poetry to ease the cares of stressed travellers on one of the world's busiest transport networks. Many think this would be a nice way to make the morning commute run a little smoother but the scheme has also been highly criticised for taking some seriousness out of an official body.

My opinion is firmly routed in the first camp and in an effort to ease the concerns of some critics I've complied a list of my favourite quotes from London Underground drivers that have been heard on Tube. Any of this naturally occurring banter would have cheered my day up no end

Here are my favourites:

"Beggars are operating on this train. Please do NOT encourage these professional beggars. If you have any spare change, please give it to a registered charity, failing that, give it to me."

"Your delay this evening is caused by the line controller suffering from E&B syndrome: not knowing his elbow from his backside. I'll let you know any further information as soon as I'm given any."

"This is Knightsbridge Station. All change here for My Fayed's little corner shop"

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I do apologise for the delay to your service. I know you're all dying to get home. Unless of course, you happen to be married to my ex-wife, in which case you'll want to cross over to the Westbound platform and go in the opposite direction."

For many more like this, check out The London Paper's list

Happy Travels!