Oh my God it’s hot. Now I know that last summer I moaned – a lot – about the lack of sun and miserable weather but I just have to have a little British whinge about the hot weather now. This is too much. Anyone who’s been on the tube this week will know that it has officially become an oven. Apparently it’s well over the legal requirement for the maximum temperature you can transport cattle in. Great.

OK, OK, I’m sorry. I know it’s nice that the sun is finally shining and I shouldn’t complain. I know that rain is on the way and when it comes I’ll complain and wish it was hot and sunny. However, as a Brit I do feel it’s my God-given right to moan about the weather.

So what’s a drinker to do? I can’t face cramming into one of London’s …

Festival season is about to step up another gear. Hard Rock Calling, Wireless, Lovebox and Tiesto in the Park are on pretty much every weekend from the end of June until the end of July and August pulls in the juggernaut that is the Clapham Weekender – South West Four and Get Loaded. Of course, …

Every few months or so I like to do a round-up of the latest bar openings (see New Bars in London and New Bars). Even in a recession so many bars open every week that it’s hard to keep track of where the coolest new spots are. I know how fickle (and I mean that in a good way!) Londoners are and what was big news last month can be old hat in a matter of weeks. It’s a harder time than ever for bars and pubs to stay afloat – so here is my breakdown of the best new openings of the last couple of months.

One of the biggest openings is Pacha’s …

If we didn’t have enough to worry about what with the calorie, fat and sugar content of pub grub, the Consensus Action on Salt and Health (CASH) announced today that the capital is suffering at the hands of salty food at London pubs with the added benefit of too much saturated fat. One dish contained more than double the recommended maximum daily intake for a woman. Brilliant.

Now, I’m no health freak. I have never been to a gym in my life and my attempt at going for regular jogs lasted a total of two days. I also love pub grub and do enjoy a meal out at a pub about once a week. That said, obesity isn’t on my check list of things I must do before I hit 30 - I’m a big believer …

A few years ago I read 1984 and became transfixed by Orwell’s idea of a future where our every move is controlled and even love and emotion are deemed unacceptable (I have some friends who conform to that idea, mind you!). Fast forward a few years and it seems I can hardly move without being watched. From ID cards and CCTV glaring down at me everywhere I go to retina scans at airports, thumb print scans at members clubs like Molton House and even my trusted loyalty cards happily storing up information on my shopping habits whilst my Oyster Card merrily logs my comings …