Not your ordinary book club!

We sent the lovely Alana off to review The Book Club for us. Here's what she had to say…. 

A cup of tea, cake and a copy of Jayne Eyre this is not!  Expect a warehouse conversion filled with vintage furniture, crazy art and great music.  If you don’t book, then be prepared to scramble for a seat because this place gets busy pretty quickly.  If you’re lucky, you’ll get one of the G-Plan sofas to snuggle down in, and if you and your date are at ‘that stage’ then maybe you can snuggle together!

With a choice of Mexican slash bar food at very reasonable prices, and a personality that doesn’t take itself too seriously, The Book Club is perfect for a first date. Order your food and drinks at the bar - they’ll happily put on a tab for you to settle once you’ve had your fill.  Or, if you’re not going Dutch just pay for what you’re having there and then to avoid any awkward sideward glances when the bill comes!

Downstairs they host events most nights, which usually kick off around 10.30pm.  They also have a pool table AND I think I saw a table tennis table too!  The perfect opportunity to play the ‘I can’t play this, can you teach me’ card, or whoop your date’s behind!

The night we were there it was the "Through the Floor/Tweetbox event" downstairs (just one of the many they put on)  which was the perfect way to continue our evening.  The music upstairs should get you in the mood for some dancing so when you feel it's time to move on, pick up your drinks and head to the basement.  Not the usual mainstream sounds but something which you can shake your tail feathers to... and a great way of seeing how seriously your date takes themselves! 

The Book Club ticks many boxes; if you and your date don’t want to cook then the food is quick and will agree with most budgets.  If you just fancy drinks in a place with a great atmosphere then it's the perfect venue.  Or if you’re after an all in one; food, drinks and dancing later on, The Book Club can offer that too.

My only tip; a sharing platter really is big enough to share.  It took me a dish too many to get out of my starter-main-pud comfort zone!

Queen of Hoxton

We sent the lovely beauty blogger, B Byrom off on a date to Queen of Hoxton to review it for The Great Date Guide... here's what she made of it!

To start your date, meet on Shoreditch High Street and pop into The Foxcroft and Ginger (which is left out of Shoreditch station above the end of the new row of shops on the high street) where you can sit under umbrellas and look down on the world below whilst enjoying a pre dinner drink. It’s then just a short walk across the high street and down a few back streets to Queen of Hoxton. 

On arrival you are presented with quite a dark room, lit by exposed light bulbs intertwined with ivy.  The walls are covered with graffiti with what looks like images of 80s or 90s computer games, which is appropriate as there are various games strewn around; a pin ball machine, foosball table and real computer games too.   These childhood games are a perfect icebreaker at the start of the date whilst sipping on one of the deliciously grownup cocktails on offer.

After your cocktail head up to the roof garden to get some more drinks, and order your food. Several flights of stairs later the roof opens out onto patches of fake lawn covered in a variety of styles of picnic benches and tables! Flowers, bunting and fairy lights are hung all around making the place look absolutely magical. There is a really buzzy atmosphere up on the roof, plenty of people come here even on a weeknight, so it’s a good idea to arrive early and get a good spot. There is also the option of queuing for a set of wireless headphones to watch a film on the large projector screen, details of what is showing can be found on their website. 

At the far end of the garden is a BBQ and bar where food and drinks can be ordered. The menu is small but well chosen for the time of year, as well as being easy to eat should you find yourself perching on a bench! The burgers are a bit mean, but the halloumi salad is highly recommended. The staff are very helpful and friendly and no one seems to wait long for food despite the fact it’s always quite busy.

At the start of the film tables are quickly and efficiently put to one side and rows of chairs set up, if you aren’t staying for the film you will be asked to leave the roof which was a shame but this could be an opportunity to check out what is happening on in the basement - a wide variety of DJ's and events are on offer depending on the night.

Don't let the fact that it is open air put you off should you be planning a trip later on in the year, they erect a huge wigwam in the winter and the food is changed accordingly, there is even marshmallow toasting and hot chocolate, great for cosying up with your date!

This place is ideal for a fun, informal, early date. There is plenty to entertain you if you’re stuck for conversation and the location is great, even if you don't live east, as it is so close to the station.

P.s. Click here to read the official review on our website...

A date at Aubin Cinema

Miss Mary went on a truly great date last week and loved every minute of it. Partly because the thrill of going to Shoreditch, for a girl from Battersea, still feels like one big adventure...

If I'm honest, I think this is a pretty perfect date! I met my date at Liverpool Street Station and ambled up to Shoreditch via the cobbled streets of Spitalfields, past the quirky Dennis Severs House (for our next date perhaps?) and on up to Redchurch Street. We timed it just right (i.e. half an hour before they close the kitchens) and so were able to grab a drink on the fab roof terrace at the Boundary. If you're not allowed up, or you're out of season then head to Albion, the ground floor cafe at the Boundary, for a quick drink and a bite to eat.

Aubin Cinema is then a short stumble (depending on how much wine you've had!) from the Boundary. We picked up our tickets and headed down to the basement where we found a cute retro bar and and a couple of very trendy, very helpful members of staff! We were just in time to grab another dink which we took into the cinema itself - yes, this is one of those proper cinemas where the wine goes with you! Once inside we were struck by how cosy and intimate the cinema was and by the overwhelming comfort and romance of the velvet seats! We've got to recommend the two seater sofas which, complete with tartan blanket, provide the perfect place to snuggle up with your date. 

Even the loos at Aubin are stylish, stocked with delicious Cowshed products from the Soho House group (of which Aubin is a part)...

As the films usually start quite late (around 9.15pm) I'm guessing (like me!) you're going to have the munchies when you resurface up on the pavement. So, I have the perfect solution: head to The Beigel Bake on Brick Lane, a legendary 24 hour bakery which serves the finest salt beef bagels in all of London!

Oh and if you too live in Battersea, then let me tell you that the marvelous 344 bus goes all the way there and back - easy!

Take a look at the website for the full review and details of how to book etc.