Manhattan’s Crif Dogs

1980s retro arcade games

This online version of Galaga brings back so many memories of mindless days spent wasting 20 cent coins in the arcade centres of Sydney’s bustling cinema strip. Back then it was all about ten minute bursts of excitement as you channelled the arcade gods of the past to sweep past the top scores of the day. Galaga, Pacman and Space Invaders, they were all given a workout before venturing across the road to catch the latest Michael J Fox flick. How times have changed! These days you practically need a degree in gaming to understand the complexities of online games, which wind their way across the ever shrinking time pieces of a legion of dedicated players. No way, give me the innocent graphics and simple interfaces of the pioneer games any day. This one, especially, is worth a good few hours of workplace distraction.

New York’s 71 Irving Place Cafe

71 is the kind of place which is small enough to miss, but once you see it, you realize everyone somehow knows about it. It’s set three steps down from the sidewalk level, and it’s always packed, except for week late nights and mid-mornings. Even though their service is not the friendliest — like any other spot in New York that’s too cool for school — 71 has a noticeably loyal clientele. Lots of writers hang out with their computers, while photographers check out the scene, and artists meet up with their reps. Besides hot and cold drinks, including their own coffee, they also offer a great selection of pastries, sandwiches and my friend Nicolas’ favorite chicken soup ever.

Ryan Sullivan scarf

Ok, so it’s 3.30 on Thursday afternoon and I’m sitting in a Brooklyn cafe, tapping away as fast as two fingers possibly can. As I look around, discreetly to my left and then more openly to my right, I cannot see a single person in this warm and friendly place wearing a more stylish and comfortable scarf than the one that I have wrapped around my neck. Yes, as my grandfather would say, it’s a very ‘handsome’ scarf — a soft, playful, ‘handsome’ scarf. And you know what? There’s not a single damn person in this room who can compete with it. Ha! That feels good. That feels very, very good. Mind you, it is 76 degrees outside, and I’m starting to sweat, so perhaps I’m just a little … ummm … over-dressed.

Rebel Bingo

Yo, yo, yo, it’s dirty bingo hall time! At Rebel Bingo, its all there: late night party action, this is hardcore bingo for people that have a passion for loud music, shouting and secrets. Which is why it’s so underground. Yes, that and the club rules, which include ‘No old people; No boring people; No hen parties; No stag parties; No work suits; No idiots. Dress Code: Weird, flash or dangerous’. If you’re in London, get your tickets quickly before it sells out. Because it does.

Midnight Juggernauts

Midnight Juggernauts are another awesome Australian band. There’s something amazing going on in the land of Oz, with Empire of the Sun, Pnau, and these guys. I really wish they were coming to London to brighten up my dark, mysterious winters. Come on boys, you know you wanna!

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Tas Firin, London

I’ll let you in on a secret. If you’re heading East towards Brick Lane and are hungry, forget about all those cheap and non flavorsome restaurants, which surround the area door to door, encouraging you to come in for a cheap bite. Go around the corner, instead, off Bethnal Green Rd and you’ll find a Turkish favorite, Tas Firin. It’s such a nice surprise: even the décor has a charm, with shoes on the makeshift roof, which in turn is the drinks station. The hummus and halloumi are a must. My favorites are the Adana and Iskender dishes, but don’t order them together as the portions are huge.