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or this is open to anyone, really.
currently working out a vacation for mid-May, planning on going to London and Dublin. No particular reason or plan, just always wanted to go so now seems as good a time as any. looking at 4 nights in london and 6 in dublin at the moment, though that could easily go to 5 and 5 if I wanted to.
So vague questions that will hopefully coalesce into more specific ones - where do I want to stay? Districts, hotels, hostels, what have you. And what do I want to do? Budget is of course an issue. And I'm planning on meeting up with a friend in Dublin but London, currently, will be me by my lonesome.
Tips appreciated. -
i think 5 nights sounds like a long time in dublin, unless you're sure there's that much stuff you want to do.
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Shut down the city and organized a rave party ... woo hooo....
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Hey Frank, you might appreciate this in London, http://www.designmuseum.org/ It was probably one of the coolest things I saw when I was there. When I visited in 2003, they had an exhibit on the design/history of video games (with playable systems set up), and an exhibition of album art by Peter Saville. I had no idea the proofs for album art were so huge, it was awesome. The Tate was pretty fucking rad too. Have fun!
Also, one must see in Dublin has GOT to be the Guinness factory tour. The museum itself is pretty boring, but to have your pint of Guinness at the Sky Bar at the end of the tour, that's the whole point. It's still the best thing I have ever tasted, I mean, ever. -
The Tate is probably my favorite museum in London, but I also love the V&A and the National Portrait Gallery. I live in East London (Shoreditch/Brick Lane area), which is like the Williamsburg of London. Take from that what you will. Lots of great little shops and pubs around here. Venues are spread out all around London, but I'd suggest Barden's Boudoir. It's a bit of a trek (up north in Dalston/Stoke Newington), but they have a great atmosphere. I saw Girl Talk there and it was UNREAL. The venue is tiny.
If you like curry, the best curry I've ever, ever had is at this place called New Tayyab's. Don't get suckered into the Brick Lane joints. You'll have to wait in line forever and bring your own beer, but it is CHEAP and so worth it.
You can even do your own personal Banksy tour of London, if that's what you like.
What type of things do you want to do? Then I can give better suggestions. Sightsee, go to shows, galleries/museums, shop, eat? I just moved here myself, so I'm figuring it all out. I can't give suggestions on hostels and hotels and stuff. You don't want to stay in West London (Kensington/Chelsea), unless Posh Spice is your style. Although Notting Hill is actually fun and cool. -
as hostels go, ashley house is pretty nice - and located close to the underground hub of kings cross/st pancras.
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and i assume by "the tate" everyone is referring to the Tate Modern, and not any of the others. (and if so, i echo the sentiment!)
best brownies i ever ate were at Paul A Young's chocolate shop in Camden Passage, near Angel station. and North Sea is considered by most (like me) to be the king of (massive) london fish and chips. The British Museum is really nice - it's basically like the ROM in Toronto, but on a larger scale. It's free. The giant atrium is an amaaazing place to just sit and watch people for hours, under this beautiful strange pseudo-sunlight.
in dublin the (underappreciated) modern art museum is pretty lovely, with the v symmetrical gardens outside too. stay aWAY from the International Youth Hostel dorms. ugh.
London and Dublin are i believe the most expensive cities in the the UK and Ireland so do be forewarned. -
^^ YES!! It's painfully expensive here. And I was referring to the Tate Modern. :) I'm going to have to try that fish and chips place--I've yet to find the perfect one.
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Not living in Dublin, I can't tell you too much about it, but should you wish to see the rest of the country, I gladly offer you a couch in Cork city.
Dublin is very expensive though... if i was you i'd spend more time in london than dublin, unless you wanted to travel round ireland a bit. -
Avi: Eighty-six carats.
Rosebud: Where?
Avi: London.
Rosebud: London?
Avi: London.
Avi's colleague: London?
Avi: Yes, London. You know: fish, chips, cup 'o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins... LONDON.
I'm sorry... stupid line but I was watching Snatch this afternoon with a friend and the fish & chips comment made me recall it. As a personal suggestion I'd recommend more nights in London and less in Dublin but seeing you have a short budget it's reasonable... London has its ways of sucking every last coin out of your pocket. I ate two days in a row on Camden Market. You can get a good meal (beverage included!) for 1 pound or less.
I remember during my time in Barcelona reading a certain online magazine (with some amazing design btw) that had listed the best concerts and dj's on London, Amsterdam, Madrid & Barcelona... let me see if google helps me find it quickly.... -
done!:
Le Cool (Home)
Le Cool London current
Erm... although it seems that it now requires you to sign-up but dont' worry it's still free. -
hmmm....
not a bad way to clog your artery.
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Been to London 7 times and here are some personal tourist ”highlights” from the top of my head:
Berwick Street – take a walk and pretend that you’re on the cover of THAT Oasis album.
Imperial War Museum – impressive collection if you into that kind of stuff.
National Gallery – no entrance fee, so just waste 5 minutes to take a look at Van Gogh’s sunflowers and leave again (or stay longer if you like)
A boat trip to Greenwich if the weather is fine is always a good idea. The area around the observatory is quite lovely.
Notting Hill is nice, but certainly didn’t remind me of the movie at all.
The Fuller Brewery tour was great (if you like beers that is). The tasting afterwards left no one thirsty.
Stay away from Little Venice and Oxford Street.
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I haven't been to Dublin in a few years, but my favourite places when I lived there were the Poolbeg Deli (near the Screen cinema), The Winding Stair and Chapters bookstores, the IFC cinema and Mojo Music in Temple Bar. If you can afford the bus to Glendalough, it's the most beautiful place on earth.
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thanks everyone for their suggestions - I've rejigged things so that I'm now going to Dublin first for four nights, then to London for five.
what's the best resource for looking up gigs in either town? Like the smaller club ones. This is decidedly not a "work" trip but it'd be cool to catch at least one show while I'm abroad, maybe of someone who won't be making across the pond anytime soon. -
Sunset Rubdown are playing Dublin on May 22nd.
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yay for going all the way to dublin to see sunset rubdown! :)
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my bloody valentine play london in late june... just sayin'...
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Frank,
I haven't lived in Dublin for about 6 years but am moving back there this June (woohoo). I would suggest getting in touch with Niall (http://www.nialler9.com/) and chat with him about music to check out. He has a good feel for live shows.
good place to eat: http://www.ukiyobar.com/ A mate of mine runs it so if you go in ask for Duncan and say you know Colin from cubikmusik. :)
Also good: Cafe Irie in Temple Bar- good soup/ sandwiches and despite the somewhat cheesy name it a very nice place to hang out.
Temple Bar, and surrounding areas are good for shops (stores). Off Georges St. is http://bigbrotherrecords.com/about.html.
Good bars: Old school-Mulligans on Poolbeg street (close to Trinity College in the city center) has the best Guinnees in Ireland (and perhaps even the world?). No cell phones allowed! :)
Kehoe's on South Anne Street-this is off the main pedestrain street (Grafton Street). Also check out, if into literature, http://www.dublinpubcrawl.com/
I agree with Harry BombShelter re: Guinness tour. The sky bar is an amazing place to drink a pint.
Check out these 'short and sweet' guides. Not sure how up to date it all is: http://www.thesugarclub.com/shortandsweet/.
email me if you wanna know anything else mate. I hope you have a great time. Cheers.
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London is just bloody brilliant. Don't go anywhere near the music scene, just spend some time in Brixton, Clapham, Soho, Hackney... wherever... get off at a tube station and wander around. As long as your expectations aren't too restrictive you will have a good time. Even shitty places like Vauxhall have tons to love about them. The best thing about London is that if you walk for a wee while you'll always find somewhere worth going - or at least that's how I found the place, having lived there for about four years. It's pricey as hell, but one of the best cities in the world for having a good time.
Mrs. Toad hated it of course, but she had expectations of coolness and was dragged into a world of financiers spending the GDP of a small nation on their champagne bill every night. These people are whores. If you can avoid them you should hopefully be able to have a good time almost anywhere. -
Dublin in May:
10th - Jonathan Richman
13th - Yeasayer
15th - The National
16th-18th - ATP
19th - Animal Collective
20th - Sunset Rubdown
22nd - The fucking boss.
I'm pretty fucking jealous. I'll be in the middle of exams. -
Hey,
Just saw this thread. I'll have a think but If you want to drop me a line... niallerb@gmail.com
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