An old theatre that's been saved by numerous people many times from bankruptcy, this venue adds a…read morenostalgic feel to it, (both as a performer, and audience member). Although small, the venue certainly gets in some good acts, including Andy Parsons, Russel Howard, and Showaddywaddy. Whilst all Russel Howard kept going on about was his boring family, he did have a start-up act, and also spent time afterwards signing merchandise and taking pictures with anyone who wanted one, which was set out in the modestly sized foyer area out front, which also includes a decorative grand piano. The only thing I don't like about the theatre itself is it always smells dusky and dirty, and the venue really needs a total renovation to justify prices akin to it's current owners, who are the same people who own the Cliff's Pavillion, though saying that, the prices are very reasonable, and do represent value for money. If they renovated the place, they could pull in more talent, and more audiences, and thus this would work out for everyone.

One of two theatres in Southend - this one is just a way up from the town centre on the main road…read moreA13 / London road. Easy to find but parking can be very difficult. The Palace often has interesting plays and a variety of shows on - I have managed to see The Vagina Monologues, The Circus of Horrors tour and a Wind in the Willows pantomime at Christmas. The prices are much cheaper than going to the west end and it can be just as enjoyable. I would advise checking the website a while in advance to see if there is anything you are interested in. Most show shave a very short run of a week or two.

Fantasic hotel well decorated and very clean, great value for money and with great views right…read moreacross the road. it is the only hotel i will stay in the southend area. i totally recommend staying here!

Husband and I have just spent 4 days at the Camelia Hotel, parking out the back...Just fantastic on…read morethe 3rd floor, a little apartment type room with awesome sea views, cosy and very clean with lovely fresh towels...being a well travelled Kiwi (NZ) this is one of the best places I have stayed. Staff were lovely and the breakfasts just perfect, and HOT food on HOT plates, excellent!!!!!!...Cant wait to go back...

So glad to know that a great theatre like this is placed in the middle of Stratford. Only a 4 min…read morewalking distance from the station and soon to be 'Olympic stadium'. They have many musical, performances and exhibitions to offer. They also have a pub style bar that holds free events in the evenings and weekends. The bar is also known as Caribbean flavours which serves great Caribbean food at reasonable prices. Stratford theatre royal is a great place to go with friends and family. There is also a cinema and a few restaurants next door.

The Stratford Royal Theatre is a local gem for a myriad of reasons- I have seen a handful of…read moreproductions here over the past two years, ranging from pantomimes, new shows and retelling of classic stories, and all had high production values with a solid cast and engaging storytelling . Tickets are affordable and discounts are offered to Newham residents or occasionally online through deal websites such as Groupon or Amazon Local. The Victorian theatre is very charming and boasts a lot of character and the ushers and staff have always been extremely helpful and friendly. The theatre bar is a bit of a local secret- it serves a fantastic menu of Caribbean food that comes out of the kitchen quickly, hot and packed with flavour. All dishes offer great value for money for either lunch or dinner; there's also an expansive kids menu and freshly baked cakes on display daily. This is possibly the best theatre kitchen in London for a relaxed meal (provided you avoid the surge of theatre-goers ordering from the menu before an evening performance!). The atmosphere is colourful and relaxed- the bar is decked out with patio style rattan furniture and a few large booths as well. In the summer, there is a good outdoor space that spills out on to a square that is secluded from the high street. The theatre attracts a wide demographic of people for the productions and in the bar, so you get a real sense of community and a buzzing atmosphere whether you're there for a show or are just popping in for a drink after work. There are lots of weekly events that take place in the bar, including an extended happy hour on Thursday nights and various live performances throughout the week. Since moving to Stratford three years ago, the bar has really stepped up to offer more consistent service and has put in the effort to redesign their menus for a more polished look. This is a great little corner in Stratford that is worth a visit for a few drinks, its vibrant food and atmosphere and the quality and variety of productions. It will also be hosting a temporary theatre space called The Red Crate in collaboration with the National Theatre during the 2015-2016 season, which will double the size of its programme listings.

It may sound a bit pointless on January 1 to warn everyone against going to The Pilot, Greenwich on…read moreNew Year's Eve. After all, we've just had New Year's Eve and the next one isn't due for 364 days. Even so, it's worth considering our experience at The Pilot on the night of December 31, 2022. They could not have been more curmudgeonly and unwelcoming, waiting to hasten us on our way, with the servers failing even to wish us a Happy New Year. The place was practically empty, the food indifferent and the wait staff sulky. The two young women who looked in on us had faces like thunder, so much so we felt like apologising for turning up to have dinner. They couldn't wait to get rid of us and we left at 11, knowing it was better to be somewhere they actually wanted guests. The pub management should look into why their staff's morale is so bad they vent their temper on diners.

As far as I can tell (and confirmed by my friend who works in North Greenwich) this is the only…read moregenuine pub on the penninsula. It is positioned at the end of a lone terrace of Victorian cottages - surrounded by a never ending development of high rise blocks. The Pilot attracts a captive audience of office workers and labourers from the surrounding sites. Mind you, it could hold its own even compared to more competitively located pubs. They have an impressive choice of beers, and not just white wine for the ladies (sorry, couldn't resist). The pub has been done up carefully to appeal to diners without losing the feel of a real pub. The beer garden is nonedescript in its design, and the sight of half finished appartment blocks is just depressing, but it is still lovely to be able to sit outside on a summer's evening. The food menu is somewhat predictable and we almost ordered fish and chips when the waitress read us the list of daily specials. The duck breast served with sweet potato gnocchi was impossible to resist, and we were not disappointed. I later saw the description on a board by the bar, and apparently the stringy bits in the sauce were meant to be chicoree - not quite up to restaurant standard, but overcooked sauce is forgivable in a pub (the duck was cooked perfectly and still pink inside). It's just that little bit too far to be the obvious choice for O2 visitors, but well worth the effort.

I've been immersing myself too much recently in gay culture, so wanted to take a step back and…read morere-enter the world of the 'super club' where you're well versed in getting frisked, pimpin' your ass for a pinchin' and generally accepting you're the meat in an sweaty sandwich. So with this in mind, I trundled off to Matter (aka world's end) to watch a Frankie Knuckles set, whilst reams of Lady Gaga fans stormed the o2 gates, kicking myself even harder I hadn't bagged a cheap ticket. Into the club and it's expansive, annoying the second room wasn't open. The crowd was certainly chavier than I expected, the set funkier than I anticipated but alas, you can bring the boys to the club but all I could see in my peripheral vision was the hottest girl the wrong side of the Thames dancing in a skinny vest for four hours flat. Gutter, head out, working on it. A Benny Benassi moment if ever there was one.

Oh what a club!…read more It's seperated over different floors on the bottom floor you have the main DJ in a booth and the dance floor infront of him playing House music all night (the dance floor is so busy - as in back to back literally) you have cigarette machines and a merchandise counter and a bar also. There are tables and places to sit too. The club and bar and chairs are all made out of concrete but very modern. There's also a smoking area on this level. Go up a level and there is a Room 2 which has a different DJ in this is also the same style music and busy too. There is a toilet on this level though beware you walk in one door and it splits in 2 sides which you can see down both and that's men and womens hmmm. another bar on this level and a balcony over looking the dance floor and again a seating area. You can go to level 3 if your VIP for VIP you have to have a minimum spend of £500 per table, which believe me you do, you get waitress service and a nice leather booth. The table opens up and it's filled with ice and bottles of vodka or champagne or whatever you order. There is also your own private VIP dancefloor with disco lights and your own toilet - not split. There is a lift for anyone who can't manage the stairs. Brilliant club brilliant night would recommend to any lover of house and dance music

Really nice convention center, huge, with plenty of space for small to large events. Been here a…read morefew times now to pick up my race bib and swag for the London Marathon. Easy to get to using the Elizabeth Line and DLR which is close by. Plenty of options to get something to eat and drink in the food court/mall area.

Massive events space…read more Was here for a work conference. Rooms are big and bathrooms are clean, thats about what I expect from an events space. Excel is accesible directly from 2 train stations. However, if you get off on the wrong station, its a 15 min walk to the other side of excel complex. I got lucky on first try and it was about a 3 min walk from train to inside. Outside of the conf. space i was in, there is a huge indoor area that does seem to have shops and restaurants. It had a lot of other events going on at the same time, so seems to be a busy area. Note it takes at least 10 minutes to walk the length of the indoor space, so its huge! It's a bit out of the way from center of town, but if you are already here for an event, plenty of restaurant options inside and outside at walking distance.

They call it the air line, but it really is the gondola :P Great views of London from here for…read morefairly affordable ticket prices. Great experience! We took the air line to O2, and then a bus from there to Greenwich royal observatory. I wouldnt recommend it as a top touristy thing to do, but definitely worth going if you're spending more than a few days in London!

What an incredibly enjoyable way to experience crossing the river Thames while in London! This…read morecable car experience has some great views, is incredibly well maintained and is affordable for the experience. The only downside is how far away it is from most of the tourist attractions, but it is worth taking a ride there, enjoying some food in the area, etc. This does stop during lightning or high winds, so make sure to keep that in mind. We only did one way, but in hindsite I wish I had done round trip. Will need to come back!

This is a great shopping outlet with so many food places and also retail store too. I came here…read moreeveryday during my work trip to London because it was near my hotel. My work was inside the O2 arena which is inside this outlet too. I went to Nandos, Five Guys, Chiptole, German Kabob and a Thai restaurant. I also did some shopping here as well at Adidas, Hot Chocolate, Sunglass Guys and other stores. The arena is located right here you enter the outlet.

Explored O2 while visiting and awaiting our Mama Mia The Party event. I highly recommend the…read moreevent, food was outstanding and the service was excellent - what a blast we had and the Abba music of course made it SPECTACULAR!