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Tuesday, August 19, 2008 |
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Cover Story
Eats, treats and dirty beats draw crowds to the core
It's no Gotham City, but London after dark has a lot to offer, minus the crime and a caped crusader.
When the sun goes down, patios hit their stride and line-ups form along Richmond Row as the thirsty under-30 vie to get in to what they hope will be the best party in town. And London parties most nights of the week. The city's bar scene ranges from mild to wild with few slow nights, save Tuesday. And when the street lights come on, people suddenly fill the sidewalks. Vendors on York Street and Richmond Row grill up jumbo hot dogs to feed the hungry masses, and the line-up that extends beyond the doors of the Marble Slab lets you know that evening is the time for ice cream. Street musicians set up shop on the steps of downtown stores, ready and willing to take requests. These are the sights, sounds and smells of downtown London after dark. Looking for more direction? If it's a pub scene you're after, check out Molly Bloom's Irish Pub on Richmond. It's dark and non-threatening, and there are beers on tap that you'll recognize. This is the closest you'll get to a T-shirt and jeans crowd, without actually slumming it. Ask Frances Bevan, 25, of London. She's a regular at Molly Bloom's and says it's like her "Cheers". She's there with friends, the same crowd usually, a few times a week. Wait staff know her by name. "It's nice to be known. And it's a really friendly atmosphere." A band with a rotating lead singer plays most nights. And Sundays and Mondays, they open up the floor for some amateur talent during karaoke night. If you're over the pub scene, and want to head to where the beautiful people are, London's downtown has a couple of options that are sassy yet classy. But beware, there are dress codes in effect that prohibit athletic wear and sloppiness in general. Just follow the sound of stilettos on sidewalk and you'll probably wind up at Up on Carling or The Mansion, on King Street. One look at the line-up will let you know the place and its crowd are luxe. Or check out a patio where you can smell the hot dogs, and hear the music. Almost any night of the week, Barney's on Richmond Row is a safe bet for a cool atmosphere and a cold pint. And across the street, TJ Baxter's Tap and Grill offers a roof top patio with a view of the downtown core. Or keep it low key and catch a flick at Rainbow Cinema in the Galleria. "It's closer to home and it's cheaper," said Adriana Arcila, 20, of London. The cinema boasts low prices and a prime downtown location. Cheap night is Tuesday, but even at the regular price tickets to the latest blockbuster at Rainbow Cinema come cheap. "We get a lot of comments that 'Wow, you can get a ticket and a popcorn for the price of a ticket a Silver City'," said employee Emilea Forbes, 17. Rumour has it, they also have the best popcorn in town. But for the best pizza -- or at least the biggest slice in town -- you'll have to head Stobie's Pizza at Richmond Street. The line-up confirms it. On bar nights, expect a crowd spilling out the door, and many of London's finest chilling in the parking lot, scarfing down their pepperoni pie. Katherina Dehaas is a Free Press reporter.
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E-MAIL: Katherina Dehaas