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Tokyo

My favorite after hours venue. On weekends they have top tier after party line-up from 6-9AM. I love that the dj booth is visible from any angle. The dj booth is in the middle of the dance floor, and there’s a screen in the floor behind the bar that shows different angles of the dj mixing. 


The staff here is like family and are super supportive of the underground music scene. Also, they LOVE to party as well. It’s a narrow dance floor but the high ceilings and good sound system make me feel like i’m in a huge venue.

Futuristic vibe high-end art bar ran by Nanzuka contemporary art gallery. I love the interior design by Sorayama!! Sorayama’s futuristic robot art integrated into the furniture and decoration, alongside creative cocktails. 

A hidden fairy tale-themed bar and cafe. They have magical, potion brewery decor with hanging fairies and fairy dust. I love the unique cocktails with the touch of cotton candy. It feels like an immersive escape into a mythical world!

This bar makes cocktails based on the theme movies. They have a cocktail recipe for almost every movie I can think of and it's always spot on. Perfect place for a chill girls night out or date. The first time I went there I ordered my favorite movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind".

Record/Music bar/cafe. Pink neon lights and good vibe. A lot of artists tend to link up here.

Tokyo By Night: N2's Guide To The City After Hours

Sean Paul 

Jamaica

The nearest beach to where I live in Kingston. Hands down the best fried fish in the entire world. Try the festival too...it's like a local combination of a donut and a dumpling.

It's where I learnt to swim and was possibly even conceived (laughs). I still go there to train every week...I play water polo and do laps. You pay a small fee and you can come and train. There's also a diving pool there if you're daredevil enough to jump off the high one.

You can't come to Kingston and not pay homage to the Great Bob Marley. It's his old house that they turned into a museum and there is a studio there. All of Bobs kids still come and play football or record here.

Start the week off with the wickedest double... one street dance ends at around 1am and everyone walks across the road to the other one. We have dances every night of the week but these two start it off RIGHT! Best place to hear the newest Dutty Rock Productions and catch the latest dance moves from dancers with creative names like Gabbidon, Energy, PrettiPretti, Kool Kid, Cyaa Tired & the Get There Squad. It's held in the parking lot outside Susie's bakery and coffee bar.

Jamaica's best strip clubs... 3 locations to pick from (Kingston, Ocho Rios & Montego bay) but Kingston is the original and best, that's where my label Dutty Rock hosts a weekly event called "Full Cup Thursdays" with CopperShaun & the Coppershot sound system... it's an awesome vibe you have to see to believe.

The historical city of the pirates and home of Sir Henry Morgan. This place is where the whole "Pirates of the Caribbean" story comes from... there was a massive earthquake and 3/4 of the city sank into the sea. They say its cuz the city was so wicked, but now its a quiet town where you can eat great seafood and catch a boat out to the cays.

As I said before, head out to Port Royal and take a cooler with you... jump on a motorized canoe and take the 20 mins boat ride out to here and just chill.

Another cay near Port Royal. Smoke a spliff and enjoy the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Sean Paul's 8 Favourite Places in Jamaica to Visit

LADIPOE

Lagos

A quirky afrocentric boutique hotel with a small gallery and a serious vinyl collection of vintage Nigerian music. They host an open mic night every Thursday and this is where I first began to hone my skill as a performer. The food is great too.

This was once a prison during colonial times, but it’s now a centre that celebrates art and culture. It’s home to quite a few festivals and live events, but Afropolitan Vibes is the one that offered me and many others a platform to perform to a big crowd of regulars.

It’s hard to describe hFACTOR. It’s this really cool space in the heart of Lagos Island. They often collaborate with different people to throw some amazing parties and you get to meet the most unique characters. It’s a completely different vibe each time.

It’s the tea for me. However, it is first and foremost a library of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and books. The proprietors are also a great source of knowledge about Lagos, and Nigeria in general. Also, as mentioned earlier, the tea is excellent. I performed there once, as a member of a group called the Collectiv3.

So many of us have been excluded from places because of our fashion sense, musical leanings and unique way we present ourselves to the world, but at Island Block Party (and its progenitor - mainland block party), everyone is welcome. My favourite thing about it is the exchange of culture between dissimilar yet like-minds. It’s what makes this monthly party a must to attend. It’s also a great place for upcoming and established acts to perform.

LADIPOE's Guide to Arts and Culture In Lagos

David Hanes-Gonzalez

Mexico City 

Boxers from all across the city and state flock here every Saturday morning. Better known as La Casa de Sparring. Ask for Coach Chicano and you’ll be in good hands. Getting here is an equally thrilling experience. You must travel through 10-15 minutes of tianguis, passing hundreds of people, carnicerias, fruit and vegetables vendors, and eventually walk up a flight of stairs of a large warehouse.

Arguably the most scenic place to train in the city. Coach Tony Vega holds private and group classes early in the morning and every evening Monday to Saturday. A great place to train outdoors with a view.

A historic gym located in the Transito neighbourhood. If you are an amateur boxer fighting in Mexico City this place is a rite of passage.

Tucked in the middle of Tepito is another historic gym and home to many champion boxers. It’s open throughout the day with access to a soccer field as well. Come in early morning or around 4pm to train with some of them.

The centre for photography in all of Mexico. I'm very thankful that this institution exists. They have rotating exhibits featuring work from Mexican and Latin American artists, and frequently host workshops, portfolio reviews and other activities for artists of all ranges.

Looking to surround yourself with fellow photographers, develop and buy film, and work on your creative projects all from a rooftop? At Dichroic Lab you can do all that. My go-to place for my film developing needs and nerding out on all things photography.

Come for the coffee, stay for the music. Half coffee shop, half record store where the baristas DJ vinyl. A great space to edit photos or catch up with a friend. The music is so good that using headphones is almost frowned upon. At night they become a cocktail joint with rotating DJs. A must visit.

My perfect night out consists of live music. Former apartment-turned-jazz-club featuring music from local and international musicians. An intimate space, perfect for a date night or gathering with a group of friends. Make a reservation two days in advance so you can get a seat in the main room.

A good indicator of a classic taqueria is one that doesn’t have Instagram or accepts cards. This is my favourite in all of the city. If you need a reason why, read the 40,000 reviews on Google Maps or check out the line on any given Saturday or Sunday morning. Order the carnitas, you won’t be disappointed.

A small pulqueria and cantina located in Roma. A place I like to take visitors. Come here during the day or late night with a group of friends. Order a round of mezcal shots and pitcher of coconut pulque while listening to Mexican classics like Luis Miguel, Juan Gabriel and Los Angeles Azules.

A Guide to Mexico City’s Boxing Gyms and Cultural Hotspots

Paul Camo

Margate

There are a few really good art galleries and spaces here in Margate: Carl Freeman, Quench Gallery, Crate and Penthouse Margate – to name a few. But I'm picking out Well Projects as my tip. It's about three quarters of the way up Northdown Road in Cliftonville and it's an artist-led gallery. [It] always has very interesting, curated exhibitions from emerging artists, which can range from video and sound installations, performances and talks to sculpture, ceramics, paintings and print-based work.

Situated at the foot of the high street, in a small shopping area called The Centre. Elsewhere is a brilliant live music venue, record shop and bar. It's been a champion of both independent and local bands since it opened, but has also become a choice venue for a lot of better known acts too. I have to give a shout out to Sammy (Arts Cool), who is responsible for a lot of what I love about Elsewhere. We must support local independent venues.

Dalby's is a bit of a Margate institute. Simply put, it serves up a banging fry up. Perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast after a big night out.

If fry ups aren't your thing, go check Forts out. The coffee is so good, everything on the food menu is also banging. You basically can't go wrong with any choice.

Sargasso is a great restaurant out on the harbour arm, opposite the old town. It is run by the team behind Brawn in London. They have a lot of locally-sourced produce, the wine list is on point and they're now doing the most gorgeous soft serve. Be sure to book in advance as it's a popular one due to its beautifully executed and delicious menu, and buzzing atmosphere.

My favourite place to get a drink has got to be Rose in June, run by legendary landlord and all-round top guy Deke. Before I moved to Margate, Deke used to run my favourite London pub, Three Kings, in Clerkenwell. Rose in June is a little off the beaten track, which I like; it's cosy, authentic and [has a] well-curated interior with a nice, old-school vibe. They also serve some great grub. It's worth checking Deke's new spot, Off Licence, which is a smaller bar opposite the Lido tower.

If you've got time, you've got to check out the Shell Grotto. If you haven't got time, make time. It's not something you'll experience very often. It's a subterranean grotto that was discovered in 1835 and is covered with 4.6 million shells. Little is known about the Shell Grotto's reason for being, but one thing is for sure – it's quite amazing. Whilst you're at it, also go visit the Margate Caves which is nearby.

Run by two local legends, Rae and Cynthia, Werkhaus is an expertly curated shop of modern utilitarian womenswear and vintage garments on High St. The shop used to be an old launderette. The High St has seen an influx of independent shops popping up in recent years. Whilst visiting Werkhaus, it's also worth popping into Margate Gift Store, Kill Me Now and L'Absurde.

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What's New

Explore the World

"I want everyone to fall in love with Marseille. It’s so beautiful: the people, the beaches, everything” - Jacquemus

Run London