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/34708 If, Withnail-like, you demand the finest wines available to humanity to wash down your fluffy scones, don't worry, they have a wine menu too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34708 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34636 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34636 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34627 For too long this historic bar had wallowed in its own smoky grime, trading on its reputation of years of epic chess matches, rumours of original tiled bathrooms, and its most famous customer, René Magritte. Coming back I’m astonished at the transformation: it’s almost too new, and so shiny that Magritte would probably not recognise it. It’s certainly no longer a place where I can imagine any scruffy artist at the window trying to sell paintings. I haven’t yet spotted any chess players, either.
It took a private Dutch investor and some regional subsidies to finally save this listed building from leaks and bring it up to modern standards. Sitting in here you feel like a drinker in the first class lounge on the Titanic. I’m told by one of the waiters that Magritte used to sit in the right hand window viewed from outside - in any case, that table is always occupied! Drink one - drink three - but I think the food is better elsewhere - best to head next door for that (or try one of the many other restaurants nearby).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34593 As well as a long and detailed wine list, Red Pif offers a daily food menu including varied meat and fish main courses as well as charcuterie plates for sharing.
Not the cheapest place to drink in Prague (many wines are around 60 czk for a small glass, and there is a corkage charge of 100 czk for drinking in-house), but certainly one of the most trendy. Book ahead – Red Pif only has about 10 tables for diners, and is deservedly busy throughout the week.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34593 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34547 Located in Beyoglu - Taksim area, next to Galatasaray, the bar serves over 100 homemade cocktail shots and offers really good music.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34547 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34546 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34493 Whenever I have visitors in town I always kick-off with some harbour view drinks on the Island side (mainly because I'm lazy and live on the island but also because I usually then do a set of light show drinks from the Kowloon side - see my Light Show tip). Whatever the time of day, it’s a great introduction to the city.
For the luxe drinks with a view option, head to Sevva in the Princes Building in Central. I've never eaten at Sevva but all reports seem to be along similar lines, disappointing and overpriced. I suggest sticking to liquid refreshments, sinking into one of the white-cushioned, comfy rattan sofas on the fabulous wrap-around terrace and imbibing while marvelling at the views across the harbour to Kowloon and back across the city on the island side. Service is erratic and the drinks are pricey, but with views like these, it's worth it.

For all the views without the hefty drinks bill, I have the perfect insider's tip for a budget option. Red Bar on the rooftop of the IFC mall is located on a big terrace facing onto spectacular harbour views. But here's the great bit - the rooftop is officially classed as public space, so although Red Bar has furnished the terrace, you're perfectly entitled to nab one of the tables even if you're not ordering drinks from the bar. I suggest popping into CitySuper, an international supermarket on level one of IFC mall, grabbing a bottle of wine and some nibbles from the delicatessen counter and then heading on up the escalators to bag your prime harbour view spot while smugly saving yourself enough cash to treat yourself to a smart dinner. My only caveat is that you need to grab paper cups while you're in the supermarket too, Red Bar are not particularly fond of people bringing their own wine and then asking to borrow glasses!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34493 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34489 Let’s reset those expectations as a starting point.
Lots of buildings flash and shoot lasers into the sky on both sides of the harbour, if you stand in certain locations (the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between the Avenue of Stars and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre; the promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai every Monday, Wednesday and Friday night) there’s accompanying music. There’s no real spectacle, there are no fireworks and Cinderella’s Castle doesn’t feature. It is however yet another excellent skyline photo opportunity and, in my opinion, a very good accompaniment to a gin & tonic.
The guidebooks will tell you to head to Felix bar to watch the show. Designed by Philippe Starck and located on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel, Felix is a nice spot for a cocktail but it’s not an ideal light show vantage point as rather bafflingly, the bar’s windows are obscured by venetian blinds. Instead, I’d suggest heading to the Lounge Lobby bar of the Intercontinental Hotel which affords panoramic views of the harbour through huge waterside windows. The cocktail waiters mix a mean martini, which come complete with a miniature cocktail shaker full of top-ups. A couple of pre-8pm martinis and perhaps the Symphony of Lights will take on a more Northern Lights air after all …]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34489 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34336 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34336 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34287 Beers available from €2 and also serves food.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34287 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34279 The other three Irish pubs are all located a wee bit out from the centre.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34279 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34274 It hosts live music most evenings from rock 'n' roll to blues.
You will find the gigs list on the website.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34272 This is part of the Belhaven chain and has a very good value drinks menu. Additionally the food menu is very reasonably priced and very tasty - a step above a lot of pubs.
In the less busy times of the week, there are great deals to be had on food and drink.
They even have a 'Man V Food' challenge on Tuesdays!
The pub is situated on the popular Shore area of Edinburgh (Leith) and feels like a pub that should be in a port with all the nautical memorabilia on the walls.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34270 At the back of the pub is a large outdoor beer garden with seating which is ideal for smokers as well as those who like their drink outside. Areas of the beer garden are under cover and are heated so ideal for the winter months.
From media reports it was sold for over €14m in the property bubble of the mid 2000s! Great pub as it is, when you see the bar you will wonder how anyone could spend so much on it!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34270 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34034 It has two beach bars, completely different in style and ambience but both special in their own way. They serve excellent meals, cold beers and good wine.
One is very modern with moulded chairs and tables, lobster evenings, and food and (sometimes live) music 'till late.
The other is more traditional in style, serving lunches, snacks, cervezas, coffees, pollo and fritas.
Both overloook a tranquil secluded bay beneath the Caves of Arta and Cap Vermell and have the feel of old Mallorca about them.
You can sit late into a warm summer's evening listening to the waves on the shore and watching the lights go out on the villas high up on the cliffs which shelter the bay, while eating lobster or locally caught fish.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34034 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34017 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34017 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34012