A 1920s extravaganza like The Great Gatsby deserves to be watched in the right surroundings and we can’t think of a more appropriate venue than Art Deco cinema The Rio in Dalston. One of London’s first cinemas, the history of the Rio goes back over 100 years to when a single-screened picture house, then known as the Kingsland Palace, was built in what was once an auctioneer’s shop. One of the first ‘proper’ cinemas in London, it was soon extended to occupy the premises surrounding it. Ostentatiously but somewhat carelessly renovated in 1913, it was subjected to a secondary makeover in 1937 by cult architect FE Bromige, to comply with council regulations. Along with the Grosvenor in Rayner’s Lane, it remains one of the best and only remaining examples of his work in the city today.

After 143 minutes of cinematic glory (Baz, we love you, but seriously. We have jobs.), it will definitely be time for a cocktail. Hop on down to exclusive speakeasy Nightjar on City Road (though you will need to worm your way onto the guest list first), where the gilded ceiling, old-school-opulent ocktails and glossy, well-stocked bar will fill you with a sense of wonderful prosperity (that is, until you get the bill). You’ll never want to go back to the boring old pub again, trust us.

Hangover over, on Saturday, why not head over to Eltham Palace and Gardens? This 1930s haven is just a short train journey from London Bridge. The epitome of 1930s decadence, this fabulous building was the childhood home of Henry VIII and makes for a fantastic day trip. There’s even a gold-plated bathroom – now what’s what we call glamour.

Day trip done, go home and pour yourself a vat of bathtub gin. Enjoy, old sport!

Just what inspired you to start documenting London’s bollards in all their glory? Have you always had a passion for them?

Bollards of London started off because of a bet I had with the late great ‘Big George Webley’ (Have I Got News For You composer and late night radio presenter on BBC London 94.9 fm). We were chatting about blogging off air one night and I said you could write a blog about anything and make it interesting. George disagreed and I replied, “I’ll write a blog about bollards”. I kept seeing them everywhere I walked/worked around London.

Why bollards though?

Well as a London taxi-cab driver you notice the environment around you a little more than the average person, as London’s streets and roads are my desk, work space. Once the City of London introduced the ring of steel, bollards started to appear all over the place, then spread out and around most government buildings throughout Westminster.

On May the 7th 2011, ‘Big George’ passed away: however, six weeks before that sad day I remember calling up his late night show and informing him the ‘Bollards of London’ blog had been tipped by the Guardian journalist and London blogger Dave Hill.

Tell our readers some interesting facts about bollards that they definitely wouldn’t have heard before…

Some bollards, but not many, are actual cannons (muzzle upwards). Pop to the Borough Market or Cannon Lane Hampstead and see if you can spot them.

If you had to pick your three favourite London bollards, which ones would you choose and why?

My three favourite bollards alters over time, ‘George’ the Policeman bollard (borders the blog) can be found outside a former police station on Gerald Road in SW1. The beautiful knitted bollards on the last post in Brixton are simply wonderful and brought a huge smile to my face: can I thank @deadlyknitshade and @TheFastener on Twitter for their excellent work. Finally, I think the #guestbollards that people send to me have managed to keep the blog alive, original and still interesting after all this time.

You’ve documented 327 bollards (and counting) so far on your site – how many more bollards are there to find in London? Surely not too many, right?

With 327 bollards documented so far, you would think that I must be near the end of this blog/project, but the truth is it is only at the beginning. I haven’t really ventured out into the suburbs of London and I can tell you I have at least a further 100 waiting to be posted right now!

As a London cabbie, you know our fair city inside out, so tell us, where do you go for the:

• Very best view of London?

The best view of London is at sunrise crossing either Lambeth, Westminster or Waterloo bridges on a Sunday morning. With very few people about, you get a chance to take a deep breath and just admire how great a city London actually is.

• The best pint?

I rarely drink, but if I do, I enjoy a pint in the Barley Mow on Horseferry Road in SW1.

• Tastiest late-night takeaway?

I am getting fit at present so rarely eat take away food; I like my coffee from Pret and certainly enjoy a salad, yoghurt and honey from there too. On the odd occasion, I do eat a chicken (I stopped eating red meat), I would head to ‘Kebab Kid’ on the New Kings Road.

We’re always intrigued to know if ‘The Knowledge’ really is as difficult as it’s cracked up to be – can you shed some light on this for us?

The Knowledge of London is difficult for many reasons, as it is a practical examination and you can’t cheat. All the tests are done on a one-to one-basis and those who do not go out on their bike and commit to memorising the city get found out very quickly and tend to drop out of the course. You should note that you can’t fail the Knowledge of London; you can only give up!

Finally, do you think London is the greatest city in the world? If so, tell us why…

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, but due to politics, it is in danger of destroying itself by not expanding runways/bridges and failing to tackle the man-made congestion at the heart of the business and shopping district. We have a mayor, but that position does not carry the power required to make this the greatest city on the globe.

Big thanks to John for a super interview. Look out for those bollards and stay tuned for another grilling next week!

Londoners, please say hello to Get Living London (and don’t forget to come and say hello to us on Facebook and Twitter to find out more).

The rental market in London is growing at an exponential rate, with a staggering 25% of the city’s population now renting. But we know better than anyone, that London’s rental market can be the centre of much frustration as Londoners are forced to put up with the daily grievances that have become part and parcel of the rental market.

That’s why we are immensely proud to say that Get Living London will be offering you a revolutionary rental service, launching here at East Village, which is simple, transparent, understanding, responsive and totally honest. Think of Get Living London as the future of renting; we won’t be cutting any corners and we’re determined to listen to Londoners first and foremost. Forget the admin fees and red tape – we’re going to offer you a service you can trust at all times.

To kick things off, we’ve already done a little stint of listening, producing this rather delightful infographic that sheds some light on everything rent-based here in London. From dodgy landlords to leaky taps, unwanted mice and broken boilers, we understand these day to day gripes; but welcome to a future where we don’t believe you should have to put up with them.

With all the hustle and bustle in building our garden, we thought it would be interesting to take a little time out to look at some of the most stand-out winning gardens over the last ten years or so.

The Westland Garden designed by Diarmuid Gavin, 2012

A wonderful spectacle from last year, the Westland Magical Garden was a retreat for garden lovers, a green plot in the city for planting fruit, vegetables, shrubs, herbaceous perennials and seasonal flowers in containers. The garden was pyramid shaped and comprised seven terraces of planting at different levels. Trees (including birch trees) grew upright in multi-level planting boxes, linking the terraces together, alongside trailing climbers released from their trellis and bamboo canes. The ground level section was a shaded garden with formal, elegant planting including ferns, hostas and clipped Buxus sempervirens in terracotta urns. A staircase and elevator provided transport to the higher terraces, whilst a stainless tubular slide offered the opportunity of a rapid and adventurous descent. The design was enhanced by a series of garden buildings, from humble sheds to greenhouses.

Irish Sky Garden designed by Diarmuid Gavin, 2011

In the Irish Sky Garden, the aim was to enjoy a garden from unique heights. Inspired by Oscar-winning Dublin animator Richie Baneham, who created the visual effects work in Avatar, the concept of the Restaurant in the Sky where people dined sitting around a table, hanging from the arm of a crane, was impressive to say the least. The urban impact of the crane was lessened by specimens of photinias, bamboos and trees. On the ground, 25 pools either flowed or reflected the craft above.

Paradise in Plasticine designed by James May, 2009

Paradise in Plasticine was a sculpted art installation, inspired by nature’s variety and fecundity, framed in the guise of a mystical secret garden from the dreamscape of childhood. Art imitates life in its most alluring forms in this awesome structure, which is not constrained by the rigours of season, climate or geography. It was the work of a complete cross-section of British society, from children who had never handled the material, through to war veterans who remembered Plasticine when it was still the latest thing, to professional model-makers who spend little time with anything else. This is, to our knowledge, the largest and most complex Plasticine model ever created and we think you’ll agree, truly magical.

David Domoney Underwater exhibit, Great Pavilion (2009)

This was the first underwater display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and included five aqua landscapes – underwater Asian and South American landscapes, a dramatic aquarian landscape, an African Malawi landscape and a live Piranha hunting ground. Addressing the importance of non-pollution in water, aqua plant and animal life and the bio-climate that they exist in, this garden also featured 15 live piranhas.

600 Days with Bradstone designed by Sarah Eberle, 2007

Representing the personal space of an astronaut or scientist on a 600-day tour of duty, this garden took eight years to research in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the British Science Museum. The garden was an investigation into the psychological effects of long term stay in space and was a valuable research tool and of much scientific interest. Plants were selected for three criteria: bio mass needed for the provision of oxygen; medicinal properties and whether or not they were edible. The rest pod is the actual size and dimension of such features in space craft where astronauts go to relax and ensure diurnal balance.

Are you going to the Chelsea Flower Show? Pop in and see us and be sure to let us know what you think @EastVillageLDN.

First up we have new kid on the block, Flat Iron.

If you’re in Soho and looking for a meaty treat, then you’ve got to check this place out. The meat served here is so tender, it almost melts on the tongue. The beef dripping popcorn is incredibly addictive and, get this, instead of your regular steak knife, you’ll be given a meat cleaver (maybe best to avoid if you’re with particularly irritating company). Beware that if you are planning on visiting Flat Iron, in traditional Soho no-reservations style, expect long queues, so try and get there early. Or alternatively wait in the basement bar and sink a few cocktails.

Next up, we have Goodman. If, generally, you don’t feel like Tony Soprano when you eat a big bloody steak, then you definitely will when you eat here. This place brings a little bit of New York steakhouse to its London locations, and we’re big fans. The fillet steak is perfectly cooked and succulent to the core, melting in the mouth. Chowing down on this mouth-watering meat will make you feel like you’ve been transported back to an alternative childhood growing up in the Bronx.

Next we head south of the river to Cattle Grid in Balham. This place is famous for its whopping great steaks and possibly the juiciest ribs that will ever pass your lips. Everything on the menu is separated into ‘cow’ or ‘pig’ with a never ending list of toppings for your steak. You know where you stand with this place. No funny business, just pure unadulterated meat worship.

You know those days when you just really fancy a great Martini and a steak? Head to Sophie’s Steak House. They have locations in both Chelsea and Covent Garden, with both offering a plethora of different cocktails (make sure you check out the espresso Martini). The beef is dry aged for 28 days and cooked to absolute perfection and the mashed potato and ratatouille are worth a shout too.

Lastly we couldn’t talk about steaks without mentioning the popular (but pricey) Gaucho, home of the finest Argentine steaks. The service is out of this world. Your meal starts with the waiter showing you all the cuts of a cow, the different qualities of each cut and most importantly, the best way to eat them. The fillet is amazingly tender you could almost mistake the beef for a luxury Wagyu cut. We cannot recommend this place enough; the steaks are honestly so good that you feel like you are cheating yourself if you don’t order the largest option on the menu.

So there you have it! Let us know your steak hot spots in the comments below; we’re always hungry.

Walking Book Club

The Walking Book club is a wonderful organisation, which combines people’s love of books with walking. This unusual club welcomes people of all ages (dogs are welcome too), and is an open forum to discuss the latest books hitting the literary scene. The club was established by the legendary Daunt bookstore (no doubt you’ve seen people with the now iconic Daunt canvas book bag) in the hope that the setting will encourage open discussion and foster a fun, unique literary community. Hampstead Heath is the location of these bookworm brigades – a most inspiring surrounding; one can just imagine a Jane Austen heroine trudging across the Heath in a sodden petticoat.

Sunday, 12th May at 11:30am. Meet at Daunt Books South End Road (this week, discussing Elizabeth Von Arnim’s novel The Enchanted April).

David Bailey’s East End faces exhibition

Catch this exhibition before it ends on May 26th. The East End seems to breed interesting characters with interesting stories and this photographic exhibition at the William Morris Gallery, of images captured throughout the 1960s by David Bailey, manages to evoke a sense of what it meant to be an Eastender at the time. The exhibition not only captures the characteristic faces of the East End, but also includes images of the streets and the day-to-day hustle and bustle. A truly engulfing and somehow haunting exhibition.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm; free. Until May 26^th

Superflex – A cockroach tour of the Science Museum:

Please note this tour isn’t for everybody…especially those of you who don’t particularly like creepy crawlies. However, if you can see past this tiny detail you will be given the opportunity to view the human race from a unique perspective – that of a cockroach of course! The Science Museum has teamed up with the art group Superflex to compile this quirky interactive tour as part of the gallery’s Climate Change programme. It is a fun and educational way to learn about the effects of climate change and scientific development on the health of the world.

The Cockroach Tours are every Saturday and Sunday, and during Lates each month. Check the calendar now.

This time we’re chatting to Dan, the founder of #wewillgather (and 2011′s riot clean-up), a project powered by Twitter, which lets you start an action in your community, and find people to help complete it.

The idea is so simple too – for #wewillgather to work, you just need a good thing that needs to be done, a place for people to meet up, and a date and time. Easy. We asked Dan to tell us more…

#Wewillgather is such a great idea, we’re kind of surprised it’s not come about any sooner. What prompted you to found the project yourself and what inspired you along the way?

I’m really interested in how we look after the places we live in and I think people need to do that themselves; my work with Revolutionary Arts is all about reclaiming public spaces and #wewillgather helps people to do that. It came most directly out of #riotcleanup, which I started with a tweet after the August 2011 riots. That showed that people love the places they live in.

Community is something that is very big on our agenda here at East Village. Just how important do you think a sense of community is to existing local London areas and how can this impact the people in them?

The word ‘community’ is thrown around a lot – by developers, by local councils and by organisations. We forget that all ‘community’ means is ‘people’ and so we need to give people the chance to talk, share things and work together. Just doing something simple like getting the children in your street outside to play together can create a real sense of community.

#Wewillgather leverages the power of social media to spread the word – do you think this medium is the way forward for projects like these?

I’ve been involved in working with community groups since I was a child and my Dad ran the summer play scheme on our council estate. The impact of social media is huge – while it has global reach, it’s also great at a street level and letting neighbours keep in touch.

Tell us about last year’s #riotcleanup and how the idea took off…

I was worried about friends in London and wanted to help local independent shops and cafes. It started with a tweet asking people to help their corner shop clean up and I hoped to get fifty people helping. I kind of beat that target!

Litter action, random acts of kindness, sports events – what is your favourite example of a London community uniting to solve something or improve the area around them?

As a child, we spent holidays with a friend of my Dad’s in Whitechapel – the community farm there is incredible. But it’s the every day acts of kindness that still exist in London that make it good – holding doors open, for example!

Us Londoners often get lumped with a reputation for being overly reserved, but we’re sure you can dispel this popular myth for us via all the great stuff that’s happening via #wewillgather. Have people generally been quick to support the cause?

Londoners aren’t reserved – they’re friendly and pretty feisty when it comes to fighting for their community. We always hear about the ‘Blitz Spirit’ but we’re talking about something that’s been here a long time. The ‘Fire of London Spirit’ maybe? People want to get involved and #wewillgather helps. Even Elephant & Castle’s subways have had some extra love with #wewillgather.

For those readers who are desperate to get more involved in their local communities, but don’t know where to start, can you provide them with some tips on just how and what they can get involved in?

Start small. Don’t aim for something big – aim to get five people picking up litter in your street. Work with those five people, talk, share cups of tea and let it grow organically.

Finally, tell us why you love London and what makes it such a great city…

My Granddad was a south Londoner and I was made an honorary Londoner to get a Team London award! It’s a great, messy city full of quirky corners, unlikely places and great people. Some cities exist as perfect, planned spaces but London is layered with history and the stories of its people. That’s what I love.

If you want to get involved with #wewillgather, be sure to go and check out their site.

But the word ‘museum’ needn’t trigger nostalgic memories of naughty classmates and cranky teachers – London’s a big place and it’s got a wealth of incredible museums that you definitely need to visit, if you haven’t already done so. 

With another bank holiday on the horizon later this month, you’d best get your diaries out and book a visit or two to some of these interesting places…

The Old Operating Theatre

This fascinating museum, intriguingly tucked away in the roof of St. Thomas’ church, is the perfect place to go to inspire an appreciation of modern-day medicine. The Old Operating Theatre showcases medical techniques and treatments from the early 1800s. The shelves are stocked with an array of odd ointments, including snail water for venereal disease and badderwack for goitre and tuberculosis. Butcher-esque and rather barbaric medical instruments are prominently on display, so this is not the place for someone of a delicate disposition, or indeed anyone who’s had lunch. If you do not suffer from such an affliction, we advise checking out the Victorian Speed Surgery demonstration which begins at 2pm every Saturday.

The Magic Circle Museum

Housed in the present-day headquarters of the Magic Circle, the Magic Circle Museum is engulfed in a sense of mystery and intrigue. The museum documents the stories of the various members of the secret society from its inception in 1905. Royal names even get a mention; apparently HRH Prince of Wales studied magic here. Fascinating relics from the magical world, like the actual handcuffs used by Harry Houdini, can be found displayed within the dark confines of the Magic Circle. Tours are by appointment only and last two hours.

The Museum of Brands

This captivating little museum is quite tricky to find; hidden behind the pastel hues of the chocolate box terraces on Portobello, cocooned at the end of an enchanting cobbled courtyard, you finally reach your destination. But, don’t fret, the search is greatly rewarded. You’ll discover a unique museum entirely dedicated to the history of brands. The experience of walking through the exhibition and slowly reaching the modern day is akin to an unparalleled game of spot-the-difference. You’ll come across packaging that triggers memories you believed long-forgotten. The evolution of the humble Bisto packet, for example, evokes a huge sense of nostalgia; the older designs instantly take you back to your childhood, more specifically the Sunday lunch table. Ahhhhh.

Tue – Sat; 10am – 6pm

Sun; 11qm – 7pm

Closed; Mondays except Bank Holidays

Cartoon Museum

The Cartoon Museum is the perfect place to indulge in truly light-hearted entertainment. From political satire to children’s comic books, you’ll find a hugely eccentric mix of cartoons, caricatures and comic art exhibited. With over 2,300 pieces on display from artists as varied as Bateman, Trog and Ffolkes, this exhibition is successful in chronicling in great detail the story of British cartoons.  Located at 35 Little Russell St, you are only a stone’s throw away from the British Museum, where more cultural capital awaits.

Mon– Sat; 10.30 – 17.30 including Bank Holidays

Sun; 12.00 – 17.30

Dennis Severs’ House

18 Folgate Street is rather an unassuming period building at first glance, but walk through the front door and you’ll be surprised by what greets you on the other side. A ‘still-life drama’ Huguenot home.

Dennis Severs, an artist and historian, lived in the house from 1979 – 1999. During that time, he curated an intricate history, set roughly between 1724 and 1914, of the fictional, silk weaving, Jervis family. Each of the 10 rooms has been delicately staged to exhibit the day to day life of the family in intricate detail.

Is there a museum you rate? Let us know in the comments.

But where to go to appreciate this precious commodity, we hear you ask?

Well, we have compiled a list of unusual outdoor spaces in London, where you can enjoy the wonderful (or not so wonderful) weather.

The Serpentine Gallery

Every year, the Serpentine Gallery commissions internationally acclaimed architects to design a summer pavilion for the lawn in front of the gallery. Since the year 2000, when this wonderful project began, no one pavilion has in anyway resembled another; they are shocking, confusing, and thought-provoking – truly unique outdoor spaces. This year, the gallery has invited multi award-winning Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto to design the pavilion. “Inspired by organic structures, such as the forest, the nest and the cave, Fujimoto’s signature buildings inhabit a space between nature and artificiality.” The structure, due for completion on June 8th, is astonishingly intricate and delicate.

The Serpentine Pavilion, as ever, will no doubt be one of London’s most fascinating outdoor spaces this summer.

Queen of Hoxton Rooftop

The Queen of Hoxton rooftop bar and kitchen is a whimsical delight, which is the perfect spot for a bit of outdoor evening time. During the colder winter months, get cosy as you cocoon yourself within the warm wig-wam or sit around a wood-burning camp fire roasting some delicious s’mores. As the evenings get longer and the chilling wind abates, the rooftop emerges like a beautiful butterfly to showcase its full beauty. With panoramic views of the city, the vibe is relaxed and fun; a perfect place to unwind after a hard day’s slog in the office. During the summer months, the Queen of Hoxton hosts a plethora of rooftop events, including a cinema club and various pop-up restaurants.

Little Venice

Little Venice is an enchanting, leafy refuge at the junction of Regents Canal and Grand Union Canal. It’s an ideal spot for long, lazy weekend lunches, watching narrowboats navigate their way from one canal to another. Little Venice is the permanent anchoring ground for many boats including café boats, a floating art gallery and a children’s puppet theatre. The Canal and River Trust host regular events such as the Canalway Cavalcade, which is a bustling affair of boats, ale, bands, food and Morris dancers. This vibrant river junction is a unique London haunt and one we highly recommend checking out.

Franks Café

On the thirtieth of June this year, Franks Rooftop bar will re-open for the summer season. Situated on the tenth floor of a multi-story disused Peckham car park, it is a truly urban social space. The temporary wooden structures and ping pong tables help to create an uber-relaxed mood, plus this spot has incredible views across London – a real conversation starter if you’re on a first date!

The Thames

One of the best and indeed most unique spaces in London is the large expanse of river flowing through the heart of the city – the Thames, of course. We suggest jumping in a boat; any kind of boat, and spending a leisurely day cruising along the river. The further west you find yourself the more likely you are to find fellow custodians of the river sailing, rowing and even paddle boarding. Seeing the city from this perspective is truly unique and allows one to gaze at London from a refreshing angle (you won’t have to elbow through swathes of tourists either).

Oh, and before you go, may we just mention our own unique outdoor space, which will be coming to London at the end of this month – our official East Village Chelsea Flower Show garden. Yup, we’ll be exhibiting a magnificently designed garden at the world’s premier flower festival from the 21 – 25 May, and it’s going to be just great. We’ve also been documenting the making of our garden over on Pinterest, so, for a sneak peek at all the latest stuff going on behind the scenes from our very own gardeners up and down the land, head here.

As some of you may have been aware, the one and only Queen of our hearts, Beyonce, has been in town. To celebrate this, London Living favourite ‘London Grumblr’ dedicated a whole day of gifs to the diva, guaranteed to keep you entertained during your lunch break. If you missed out, catch up here.

Next we have The HitMeUp Blog who has launched a pretty cool East London art map competition. Download the app on your iPhone, submit your best snap and win £250 to spend in any First Thursday Gallery. The runner up prizes are pretty amazing too, including a £100 dinner at Dishoom.

And lastly, a bit of shameless self-promotion, but we think you’ll agree our London Afternoon Tea board on Pinterest is awesome. Give us a follow and get involved!

Have a good weekend guys.