OMG where has the time gone? I’ve barely blinked since my last post and it’s almost Christmas! And you thought I couldn’t talk about Christmas early enough huh? :)

It is that time of the year again, when bosses insist that everyone bond over a boozy night (some of whom pays, some don’t) – and friends whose existence have been limited to the ‘Likes’ on social media suddenly feel the urge to catch up.

Yep, sorry, I am one of those. Because I am always out and about, because I am never around when you want to meet for birthdays,anniversaries, christenings and weddings, the December / January holiday season becomes a desperate attempt to tell you I am still your friend.

And with that, I also use the opportunity to try out some of London’s great ‘underground’ bar and restaurant scene. A while ago, I gave you a list of ‘Underground toilet’ venues to explore. I had a lot of fun doing research for that little blog post, and I thought I’d give it a go again this year, and introduce you to the Secret London Guide to Unusual Bars & Restaurants.

As you know, I am not a fan of chains. Chains and franchises don’t generally do well in Australia – with Starbucks and our own Gloria Jeans both failing to sustain a business where individualism in coffee at least, is valued.

So it’s always a delight for me to find something that is quirky and independent from the chains that the UK seems to be so fond of. At the same time, when I suggested to meet a friend at Boot and Flogger, a little blink-you’ll –miss-the-entrance wine bar in Borough, I actually sounded like I knew what I was talking about.

“Oh you know about that place too do you?” said the friend with a hint of surprise.

“Of course I do. Who doesn’t?”

Well, to my relief, our visit to Boot and Flogger was pleasant and although the place was busy with reserved Christmas parties, we were given a small table in the corner to enjoy a glass of wine from an excellent wine menu.

So, after the success of my first suggestion, I scoured the book for more of these unexpected places to meet people in, and there are so many intriguing entries such as a camera themed café, an underground cellar bar and places to eat Ethiopian food (I am only pointing this out because it’s one of those cuisines that isn’t yet introduced to Australia, and I’ve longed to try it).

“Say, does it have Gordon’s in Charing Cross?” Asked another friend whom I showed the book to.

I flipped the guide thoroughly page by page and couldn’t find it. An internet search revealed the venue to be the oldest wine bar in London, situated in Kiplings House, home to writer Samuel Pepys, who wrote The Light that Failed here.

Well. So the guide is not perfect. Shame. That would have made quite a good entry to this Secret London guide, but what’s already in there will keep me busy for a long while yet.

Because as we all know by know – all writers likes a bit (or a lot!) of drink in different places now and then!