http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33758 It's a simple but quite nice budget hotel in a very lively Parisian area - the Oberkampf quarter. Very cheap with Parisian standards and the area is really great. It's a youthful hotel in a youthful quarter, with friendly and helpful staff. ]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33758 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33746 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33698 I can't wait to go back!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33698 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33644 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33644 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33543 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33508 Want some fun in London, then try this. Reminiscent of a Victorian Gin Palace with a retro twist, PURL, with its beams, piano bar and leather chairs, is made up of intimate alcoves underneath a road in Marylebone.
A list of cocktails thought up in the ‘lab’ at the rear, is influenced by ‘molecular mixology’. Don’t be too surprised to see a little chemistry! Liquid nitrogen, smoke and fire mixed with more traditional spirits - even a touch of caviar!
This is a truly exciting place to be. Enjoy!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33508 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33434 Street level houses a quirky veggie café and a music/video/wine shop. Downstairs is a lounge/restaurant area with the same menu, and a club.
During the daytime enjoy the Radost FX cafe. Set behind large windows facing the street, the cafe has some pretty eclectic decor. Tuck into breakfast from 8-11, or later on enjoy the wide vegetarian menu later in the day. Radost Fx has a truly global menu, boasting dishes from countries including Greece, Italy, India and Thailand as well as some of the best veggie burgers and 'slaw ever. Food is available all day.
The same menu is available in the longue area downstairs, which is complimented by a great bar and live music at the weekends - well into the small hours.
I especially love the shop area on street level next to the cafe. As well as videos, DVDs and wine, this cosy shop offers an ever changing selection of vintage and contemporary music on vinyl.
There’s something for everyone here, at any time of day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33434 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33418 The bar has the appearance and feel of a dark basement untouched since Pepys left. Nicotine stained walls of tongue-n-groove boards, history-stained stone floors, and rickety tables and chairs under the low, brick-domed ceiling of the original wine cellars are not retro but original features. Candles light the reticent faces of illicit encounters. The staff are efficient and friendly and pull schooners and beakers of sherry, Madeiras, or port from the barrels stacked behind the bar. Excellent wines are also available by bottle or glass. Recently homemade food has been introduced, and the tables spill out into Watergate Walk to the side. But stay indoors to enjoy the uniqueness and excellence of Gordon’s Wine Bar, and drink deep the history of London.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33418 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33402 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33390 On Saturday nights the bar is packed as they have live music. Even when it is quieter it is nice to sit down with a nice pint.
Family friendly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33390 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33376 It’s worth saying that, despite the name of the club, the music on offer is not all jazz!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33376 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33361 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33361 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33353 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33317 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33317 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33315 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33303 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33303 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33298 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33298 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33293 When you leave, be sure to call at the street counter of Et Kabüffke, opposite, for a warming shot of Killepitsch, the digestive licquor.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33293