Tip 54: The Japan Centre

The name says it all, but what is most intriguing about this little find, is its location! Right in the middle of Piccadilly Circus - Japan Centre is sure to become your regular one-stop shop. 

From tantalising lunchtime sushi and steaming pork buns, to every ingredient under the sun to aid your own creations, you can easily spend half an hour in Japan Centre browsing the shelves alone!

Be sure to pop in when you're next in the area. 

Tip 53: £5 panang at Rabieng

If you fancy a basil infused panang on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and you live a respectable distance from Islington, make a bee line for Rabieng at 143 Upper Street N1 1QY.

All curries are £5 on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and whilst the price is very low, the standard of food is the opposite. Add some coconut rice and you've got a meal for £7 - surely that's cheaper than making it at home...

Tip 52: Evensong at Westminster Abbey

Tourists pay £20 a ticket to visit Westminster Abbey during the day, but as a Londoner, you can use this hack!

Each evening, Evensong takes place in the Abbey at 5pm. If you arrive slightly before kick-off, and explain that you're there for Evensong, you can slip in for free, plus you get to enjoy some magical entertainment too. The music breathes life into the Abbey, and makes for a truly memorable experience.

Check the Westminster Abbey website for extra information.

Tip 51: BYO at Wimbledon

With the 2015 lawn tennis championships over for another year, this hack may be a little untimely. 

However, make a note to revisit Londonhacks in June 2016 as this is a gem!

Wimbledon is BYO. Who would've thought! It seems too good to be true. Alcohol is limited to one bottle of wine or two 500ml cans of beer per person, but otherwise you're free to take in anything you'd like.

So grab a bottle of bubbles, a punnet of strawberries and a Franco Manca pizza and sit smugly on Henman Hill with a fuller wallet.

Tip 50: Chai on the house

If you haven't already dined at Dishoom, may we suggest you make your way there quick smart.

With three locations (Shoreditch, Kings Cross and Covent Garden), this Bombay Cafe in London not only has a fascinating interior, but it serves up the best chai outside of India. Whats more, it's bottomless, meaning it never has to stop.

While you're there, you might as well try the delicious breakfast Naan rolls, or one of the many tantalising small plates for later in the day.

The above image is of the veranda at the Shoreditch location - perfect for lazing around in this balmy weather!

Tip 49: No-nonsense tourist info for young people

The Brussels map

While this post isn't technically about London, it is for Londoners - or more specifically, for those who live in London and like to travel.

USE-IT creates handy maps of cities all over Europe. And why are they so good? Because they are created by young locals, they are free, and they are up-to-date. And because they aren't commercial, you can be sure to avoid annoying those tourist traps.

So next time you plan a city break, check out these awesome maps with tips of where to eat, shop and visit.

Tip 48: Handy market toilets

The ever popular farmers market is perfect for lazy browsing and taster sampling on a weekend morning. However, if you don't feel bold enough to pop into a nearby pub to subtlety use their WC, finding a toilet can be a mission. 

Our favourite markets all have handy toilets which you can use without feeling sneaky:

Maltby Market: the antique shop at the end of the market has a toilet for market goers to use
Sunday Up Market: this Brick Lane institution has a handy toilet upstairs towards the back of the market space
Broadway Market: has toilets at the London Fields end of the street
Portobello Road Market: head to the Portobello Star where you can make a small donation to Charity to use the loo!
Hampstead Heath Market: The easiest of the lot - you can use the public toilets in the Heath! 

Do you know of any others? 

Tip 47: Flowers from Petalon

Petalon deliver beautiful bouquets around London via bicycle, and it's love at first sight. Each bouquet (and delivery AND a donation to their favourite charity) is a very reasonable £28.

With a choice of two bouquets which change each week (depending on the offering at the flower markets), and delivery every weekday afternoon,  Petalon are certainly on to something!

We think they're exquisite and are trying to think which of our friends have the next birthday....

Check their ever growing delivery area to make sure they'll deliver to your special someone before getting too excited.

Tip 46: An evening at Greyhound stadium

If you're after something a bit different on a Friday or Saturday evening, take the district line to Greyhound Stadium in Wimbledon and spend a night trackside at "the dogs"!

Plus, if you travel on the tube using your oyster card, you can show it at the entrance, and receive free admission and a mini race card!

The are usually 13 races per evening, the doors open at 6.30pm and the first race starts at 7.30pm.

Check out their website for some great deals including the £6 "punter pack" which gets you all sorts of goodies including a drink voucher: http://www.lovethedogs.co.uk/wimbledon/the-best-night-out-deals-in-london.aspx

Tip 45: 3 course Michelin starred lunch for £35

To get amazing, Michelin starred food, you don't have to pay a fortune. Go for lunch - not dinner.

Chez Bruce,  a one start restaurant in Wandsworth, offers a 3 course lunch for only £35 a head. Or, if you go Monday - Friday it's only £29.50.

We have been there, and it is such a bargain for £35; the service was fantastic, the food was incredible, and the atmosphere was lovely.

A great thing about this was we ate this amazing food, and enjoyed being full for the rest of the day. Whereas with dinner, often you eat then go straight to sleep anyway.

Tip 44: Free Waitrose Coffee

Become a MyWaitrose loyalty card member and enjoy a free hot drink (tea, latte...you name it)!

Free tea and coffee etiquette (straight from the Waitrose website)

• Become a myWaitrose member and shop with us a little (or a lot)
• Enjoy a free tea or coffee when you pop in for your groceries
• Swipe your myWaitrose card at the till

This means you can enjoy a nice cuppa without parting with £2 for it! Judging by todays' weather, this isn't just a winter hack either! The things I'd do for a hot drink to hold today...

NB: Just don't grab coffees for your friends!! 

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/waitrose-clamps-down-on-free-coffee-offer-because-customers-were-grabbing-them-for-friends-10240337.html

Tip 43: Discount swimming at Parliament Hill Lido

Lighter evenings and warmer temperatures mean one thing; evening swims.

If you're based North of the river, the Parliament Hill Lido is the perfect spot to dip your toes into and do a few lengths.  The floor of the pool reflects the sunlight and nicely warms the water for your arrival. However, it's probably best to wait until summer hits, (any day now) as the water temp is currently 12degrees...

A single swims costs £6.00 during the day (which we think is a little pricey), but those in the know either swim between 7am - 9am, or wait until the clock strikes 6.45pm on a Monday, Thursday or Friday, and gain entry for a more reasonable £2.50. This makes an after work swim a great opportunity to cool off post-sweaty tube ride home! And for all you budding Triathletes out there, yes, you can swim in your wetsuit.

Click here for more information.

Tip 42: Secret bar in South Bank

South Bank is great; but it can be difficult to find a good bar without having to walk some distance.

Introducing: The Drawing Room.

This secret bar is tucked away behind a inconspicuous bookcase in Benugo (which is inside the British Film Institute).

It serves beer, wine, cocktails and snacks.

It is a nice hide-away from the bustle of South Bank.

Tip 41: Visit the Tower of London for £1!

Are you a resident of Tower Hamlets or know someone who is? If so, a visit to the Tower of London may be on the cards...

Firstly, skip along to your local library and sign up to become a member for free (!) Next, grab your shiny new library card and latest utility bill or bank statement with proof of address, and you can gain entry to the Tower of London for a measly £1!

General admission to the Tower of London is usually £24.50 so this hefty saving is definitely worth joining the library for! (Plus you can stock up on some books for summer reading in the fields).

Tip 40: A trip to the Globe for a fiver

The (snow) Globe. Watching a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliette while is snowed.

Watching a live performance at Shakspeare's Globe on the South Bank is a proper London experience and leaves you feeling very cultured and well educated.

Ticket prices can be a little on the pricey side, especially as you'll only understand every 5th word. However, there are 700 £5 standing tickets in the yard for every performance. Benefits of standing include being able to get really close to the stage and feeling like you're part of a "gang of porters and carters" in the early 1600s.

Things to note:

• The standing area isn't covered so make sure you check the weather before you go as you will be at the mercy of the elements and umbrella's are a no-no.
• Make sure you arrive about 30minutes before the start so you can get yourself a ticket (if you don't want to get one online)
• Check out the 2015 season here: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on
• When buying a ticket online, select the YARD when selecting seats. 

Tip 39: Be Spareroom savvy

£1200 for 3 bedrooms by the Royal Albert Hall? Reeks of a scam.

Flat hunting in London can be a game of Russian roulette. The most popular flat hunting website, Spareroom, has loads of listings- but some of them pose traps to young players. Read on to get some crucial pointers.

1. Watch out for property sharks
   Be very wary of property sharks that list an abundance of adverts which don’t necessarily exist. If something looks too good to be true it probably is.  If an agent or a  property company is listed as the contact, chances are it will be an expired advert and they’ll just want your contact details to sell you another property. They may help in the end, but probably not with the flat you’ve enquired about.
2. Avoid randomly cobbled together flats
   Where possible, avoid adverts which are written and posted by the landlord. Unless the landlord is live in, it can mean each room is rented out separately, rather than leasing the whole house. Therefore, as a tenant, you have no say over who moves into rooms in the future. And as the landlord just wants the rooms filled, it can result in an odd mix of people living under the same roof! (We have proof of this scenario! Think vacuuming at 5am...)
3. Always request photos
   If a listing doesn't have photos, try requesting them through a private message to the advertiser before you tee up a viewing. Sometimes there aren't photos for a reason…
4. Work out your actual rent If the rent on Spareroom shows the cost of rent per week, be aware.  Most landlords require payment per calendar month, and as most months have more than 4 weeks in them, make sure you get an accurate monthly figure by multiplying the weekly cost by 52 then dividing it by 12.
   
5. Check for a living room
   Landlords often rent out the living room as a bedroom to get more rent. So if you want a living room, make sure you select this in your advanced search.
6. Check the age range of the current housemates
   Not everyone is a young professional and some people choose to flatshare well into their 50s.
7. Don't dilly dally Listings go very quickly. You may have arranged a viewing for after work, yet someone else may be able to go at lunchtime.  Be quick and make sure you have references and the deposit ready to go.
8. Map the area
   Where possible, use Google street view to get an idea of the street/neighborhood before you set out to avoid any nasty shocks (you might be living on top of a nightclub).

   

   Example of why you should use Google street view

Tip 38: A solution for your Broadway Market cash dilemma

If I'm in the area, I frequent Broadway Market most Saturdays as it's one of my favourite places to meet friends for some tasty lunch and/or to stock up on a cheeseboard for Saturday evening!

If you are like me, and intend to get cash out before arriving and then promptly forget and only remember when you go to pay for your first treat of the day, this hack is for you! (Thanks to a friend who pointed out this secret to me!)

Due to the location of Broadway market, cash machines are limited and if you remember en-route, you may think that your only option is to go to the one cash machine on the strip and join the never-ending queue snaking its way past the market stalls. Plus, it's one of those cash machines, which robs you of a couple of pounds just for using it.

However, instead, you should head to the tiny post office located mid-way down the market opposite Franco Manca and get cash out there! There is rarely a queue and theres no charge for withdrawing cash from your card.

Phew! Lunch, coffee, and an abundance of cheese and quince is back on!

Tip 37: Save your hair from London's hard water

The devastating effects of London's hard water on an emu's hair

London is notorious for its hard water. This is water that has a high mineral content which makes the little scales on your hair shaft stand up, causing hair to feel rough and to tangle easily. Shampoo also becomes less effective with hard water because it reacts more with the minerals from the water, and less with the dirt in your hair.

But we have some hacks to save your locks.

1. Apple cider vinegar rinse

Mix 1 table spoon of vinegar with 3 cups of water, and after shampooing massage this into your hair and leave for up to 10 minutes. Rinse. This will add shine and body to your hair. Tips: Don’t substitute balsamic vinegar, only do it once a week, and don’t worry – the smell of vinegar fades when the hair is dry.

2. Vodka

Oddly enough, this works too as the vodka strips bad minerals form your hair. Either add it straight to your shampoo, or add a shot to your hair once you have lathered up. Again, only do this once a week.

3. Clarifying shampoo

If you don’t want to use vinegar or vodka, you can get clarifying shampoos that can cleanse the minerals out of your hair, while also adding shine, thickness and volume. There are salon brands, but there are also high street ones for those on a budget. Even Herbal Essences does one.

4. Leave in conditioner

Don’t forget to moisturise your hair. Leave in conditioners work well, or we personally recommend using argon oil if you can get it. 

Tip 36: Hurwundeki - your one stop shop

Tucked away on Cambridge Heath Road in E2, you will find the tastiest Korean food and bargain haircut in London. Whilst they aren't mutually exclusive, there's nothing to stop you getting a pre or post-lunch haircut.

In typical East-London style, you write your name on the blackboard in either pink (girls) or blue (boys) chalk and take a seat amongst the stylists busy at work. When your name is called, you have a 15 minute time slot for your £14 dry cut makeover. The stylists are attentive and know what they're doing with a pair of scissors, and after a few minutes you forget that a room full of people are observing.

During your cut, the tantalising smells of the "fresh, simple and authentic" Korean creations will entice you through to the restaurant area no matter what time of day you visit. Although everything I have tried so far off the menu is delicious, their dumplings and Bibimbap deserve a special mention.
With prices averaging 6 - 7pounds, this may be the only place in London where you can get a haircut and lunch in exchange for a crisp £20 note.

* Hurwundeki have just opened a new shop on Brick Lane too!

Tip 35: Meet up for Free Bootcamp and Breakfast

London is an expensive city - but if you know where to look, you can get things for free.

The website meetup.com is one of the places you should look.

Meetup.com is like a notice-board for things that are going on around the city. It consists of "meet ups" for things like London culture seekers, Young Professionals in London, Monster London pub crawls, and The London Indie Music group. These groups are a great way to explore the city, meet new like-minded people, and save a pound or two.

Some meetups we think are great hacks:

• FREE London bootcamp and breakfast 
• FREE Meditation and yoga
• FREE London events and talks

There are also loads of other groups. Check them out here: http://www.meetup.com/cities/gb/17/london/

Tip 34: Cafe 338

Cafe 338 on Bethnal Green Road is a lively, non-greasy spoon serving the most reasonably priced brunch fare we've come across! Expect huge portions, bottomless toast towers and freshly squeezed orange juice from a menu the size of an A3 piece of paper.

The portions are for the serious diner; and probably best consumed on an empty stomach. This is the perfect spot to catch up with friends after a night out as the extensive menu offers many hangover cures.

The service is speedy and friendly, and if you do have to join a queue twisting along the footpath, it will give you a chance to build up a healthy appetite before you step inside. Every cloud...

Tip 33: Genesis Wednesdays

Residents of East London, take note.

Genesis Cinema in Whitechapel is a hidden gem. Situated on Mile End Road, just a 5minute walk from Whitechapel tube station, this is your new go-to for a Wednesday evening at the movies.

Tickets to new releases are a measly £4.00, there is no allocated seating (so it's easy to get a group of friends together with minimal logistical coordination), and their Pick 'n Mix selection is second to none.

The lecture-theatre style cinema boasts hundreds of seats so don't worry about missing out- although if you book a ticket online beforehand, you'll have longer to browse the Pick 'n Mix...

Head to https://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/films/now-showing/ for more information.