The rock and roll lifestyle has popularly been associated with sex and drugs – Wikipedia entry
This is the Le Blow directory of the best rock and roll destinations around, from fashion and hotels through to places to eat, drink and be pampered – this is a work in progress so keep checking back!
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ROCK N ROLL RETAILERS
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Terry de Havilland
The original (and only?) rock ‘n’ roll cobbler whose tales of debauchery could rival The Rolling Stones’ – all of ’em. Makes decadent shoes designed to disco in. Visit de Havilland’s pop up shop off Carnaby Street in the Newburgh Quarter for the full psychedelic experience…
tdhcouture.com
BEST OF BRITISH // TERRY DE HAVILLAND: PUTTING THE SOLE INTO ROCK N ROLL
Alexander McQueen
An obvious one but a Le Blow fave, none-the-less. We’re MASSIVE fans of the rock ‘n’ roll jewellery – the skull rings are more affordable than you think, plus their seasonal sales are excellent.
alexandermcqueen.co.uk
Lazy Oaf, London
This London-based label puts the fun back into fashion. Founded by Gemma Shiel on a stall in Spitalfields in 2001, Lazy Oaf is now a global fashion brand, with a stand-alone shop in Soho. Lazy Oaf collections are notoriously colourful, cartoony and a bit bonkers, with a massive nod to street wear. Clothes to make you smile, basically.
lazyoaf.co.uk
The Great Frog, Soho
Rock ‘n’ roll rings, right here. The family-run business has a celebrated heritage of individually hand-carved pieces made on site at the original basement on Ganton Street, Soho – the very place the company began in the 70s. Worn by the coolest celeb sorts – everyone from Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Lady Gaga, Oasis and Depeche Mode.
thegreatfroglondon.com
Pop Boutique, Covent Garden
The best place to buy vintage clothing that isn’t ridiculously overpriced, plus they do the best 60s style Peter Pan collar dresses for around £25.
pop-boutique.com
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PIMPED-UP PAMPERING
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STRIP Wax Bar and Boutique, London
All of the waxing rooms are themed (with scented wax to match) and look like a rock stars’ bedrooms. They sell sexy undies to show-off your new froo, too.
stripwaxbar.com
LE BLOW REVIEWS STRIP WAX BAR & BOUTIQUE
BLEACH Hair Salon, London
Want to get rainbow-hued hair? Head to this hip Dalston salon, with a client-list to match, we can hold them fully responsible for the dip-dye trend. They recently opened a concession in Topshop Oxford Circus so you can get your hurrr did and pick up an outfit to match all under one roof.
bleachlondon.co.uk
Pimps & Pinups, London
This 50s-themed salon, complete with dressing-room-style bulb-lit mirrors and imported Japanese barber chairs is smack bang in the middle of Spitalfields. Whether you go for retro pin curls or a more modern style, you can enjoy a complimentary beer (or glass of wine) either way.
pimpsandpinups.com
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PLACES TO STAY
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Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton
Hotel Pelirocco is Brighton’s sauciest stopover with 19 decadentlt decorated bedrooms themed around pop culture, visionary artists, musicians and inspired individuals. Our fave room is the Diana Dors-inspired Pin-up Parlour (pictured).
hotelpelirocco.co.uk
The Pavillion Hotel, London
The Pavilion is a groovy 30 room hotel in central London targeted at a discerning, artistically minded clientele. Rooms are themed to project a funky and glamorous image. The Honky Tonky Afro room is a tribute to the 70s or opt for Casablanca Nights for a deco inspired Moorish fantasy.
pavilionhoteluk.com
The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel
The Cottonwood should dismiss any preconceptions of dreary Fawlty Towers style UK B&Bs with its overtly stylish chocolate-box charms (think flamboyant flocked wallpaper and plush velvet occasional chairs).
thecottonwoodboutique.co.uk
SEE: A LE BLOWER’S COTTONWOOD BOUTIQUE HOTEL REVIEW FOR COSMO HERE!
The Bull Hotel, Bridport
This lovingly restored former 16th century boutique coaching inn oozes eclectic style and contemporary-rustic charm. Perfect for a rock ‘n’ roll UK seaside getaway, and the food is dee-lish, too.
thebullhotel.co.uk
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Cotswolds
Beautiful boutique bedrooms with freestanding tubs and tasty Gastropub grub, The Wheatsheaf offers a cool spin on a traditional 17th-century Cotswolds coaching inn. No wonder Kate Moss’ wedding guests stayed here!
cotswoldswheatsheaf.com
SEE: A LE BLOWER’S WHEATSHEAF REVIEW FOR COSMO HERE!
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FOOD & DRINK
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Honest Burgers, London
A burger restaurant inspired by Great British produce – possibly the bestest, most reasonably priced burgers in London.
honestburgers.co.uk
Patty & Bun, London
ANOTHER burger place, and nope, they don’t take bookings and yup, your bathroom is probably bigger than this 30-seater space near Selfridges but FUCK US, their burgers ae SENSATIONAL. Still dreaming about the Smokey Robinson…
pattyandbun.co.uk
La Bodega Negra, Soho
We found the food a leetle beet overpriced for what essentially seemed to be loads of crunchy tacos (although the scallops were delish), but hey! We’d just eaten a mash-up of Mexican street style food in a restaurant accessed by a seedy Soho sex shop. What’s not to love? Try also the upstairs cafe for daytime eating in 50s-themed booths.
labodeganegra.com
BLOW OUT (AND ABOUT) // LA BODEGA NEGRA
Choccywoccydoodah, Soho
Born in Brighton, Choccywoccydoodah not only has a great name but a shit-tonne of amazing culinary creations of the cake-based variety. Their London shop just off Carnaby is one of the capital’s best-kept secrets: Feast your eyes on goodies galore on the ground floor, then partake in a cake or two in the cafe upstairs – and sshhh! Don’t tell anyone but there’s an Alice In Wonderland style grass-covered Secret Room on the second floor, available to hire! That’s the place for the next Le Blow AGM sorted, then…
choccywoccydoodah.com
Pitt Cue, Soho
If you like your pork pulled (steady) and slathered in delicious, smokey BBQ sauce, Pitt Cue is the place to go, but BE WARNED: it’s tiny, seating around 20-30 peeps in the downstairs restaurant so go super early for dinner or try take-out.
pittcue.co.uk
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town
A sneaky little bar located under The Breakfast Club in Spitalfields, that you access through THE SMEG FRIDGE. Ask to see The Mayor upon arrival.
themayorofscaredycattown.com
BLOW OUT (AND ABOUT) // THE MAYOR OF SCAREDY CAT TOWN
Bubbledogs, London
Bubbledogs doesn’t serve caviar with its Champagne, but gourmet hotdogs instead. That’s right, HOTDOGS AND CHAMPAGNE. Two of our very favourite things…
bubbledogs.co.uk
Dirty Burger, Kentish Town
The best place for burgers on a (*cough* London *cough*) budget. Yes, it’s a bit hard to find and yes, you’re essentially eating in a (quite cold) tin shack but OH MY, THE FOOD IS A TASTE SENSATION. And great value, too. Literally London’s dirty little secret…
eatdirtyburger.com
The Attendant, Foley Street
Here’s a place where you’ll want to spend a penny: The Attendant on Foley Street AKA the “espresso bar in an abandoned toilet”. Yeah, you read that right. Read the Le Blow write-up on The Attendant.
the-attendant.com
Little Bay, Kilburn
We love the 90s here at Le Blow – and not only did this, the original branch of Little Bay, open back in 1992, but it seems to have held its prices since then, too. Think great value European cuisine in opulent yet relaxed surroundings. Oh, and instead of table and chairs, there are booths and balaconies. Perfect.
littlebay.co.uk
The Drawingroom, Chesham
Yeah, you’ll have to head to deepest, darkest ZONE SIX on the Met Line to get this one, but on a sunny day, it’s worth it. This 16th century building – said to have been the home to Lewis Carrol’s ‘Mad Hatter’ Roger Crab – has it all: original works of art, live music, a room themed like an Arabian Bedouin tent (sure) and deeee-lish tapas (order everything). Go. GO!
the-drawingroom.co.uk
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ROCK N SOUL
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Blue Cow Yoga, Moorgate
For actual yoga-in-the-city, head East amongst the city slickers *cough* banker wankers *cough* and discover Blue Cow Yoga. Perfect if you want to realign your chakras without ringing bells and chanting ‘Om’. It’s like a gym, just for yoga, with loadsa classes daily – and amazing treatments, from deep-tissue massages through to acupuncture. Plus, we always judge a place on the toilets, and the ones here are lovely; full of delish natural beauty products. Namaste.
bluecowyoga.com
Nutrition Rocks
We knew we loved the Nutrition Rocks ethos when we first met the team at V Festival’s Louder Lounge, and they didn’t judge us for eating naughty food (big, BAD meatballs). Instead they told us you need a little of everything (in moderation), including protein, and whipped up their tasty remedy shots which probably contained all of our ‘five a day’ in one cheeky little hit. No wonder Meg Matthews is a fan. Follow @NutritionRocks1 for daily updates on Twitter.
nutrition-rocks.co.uk
Fitness Freak
Putting the FUN back into fitness, with our kinda classes, as well as cool exerrcise events, from pop-up raves (SHAKE YOUR GLOW-STICKS) through to hula-hoop classes with Marawa the Amazing. Even the biggest of fitness phobes *waves* will find something that floats their boat here.
fitness-freak.com
Chi Kri Yoga
“Get yoga or die crying,” says Neil Patel (pictured above), the rapping yogi and founder of Chi Kri, with a play on 50 cent’s famous lyrics. Hip Hop Yoga is his speciality, where you can practise the Downward-Facing Dog to Snoop Dogg – and strengthen your inner core both physically and spiriually at the same time. Get daily inspiration on Twitter @Chi_Kri_Yoga and sign up for hippity-hop yoga classes on the website.
chikri.com
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