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unusual : secret south

We at londonlostandfound are fed up with hearing the usual cliches about South London being the poor relation, and wanted to prove to you that there are many good reasons to get on a bus and venture south of the river. Here are our old favourite venues, with a few new and secret locations thrown in to tempt even the most cynical Londoner.

Booze and bohemia: the best pubs and bars

OK. I admit it. I'm going out on a bit of a limb here, suggesting the best bars in South London. So they might not be the usual favourites, but they're my classic choices and they have a lot of character, independent charm and a truck load of mischief and memories.

The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 / Balham tube
There's something for every-one at this pub / theatre / night club / dance school / comedy club. The only place in town to drink ale and learn to lindy hop.

Prince of Wales, 38 Clapham Old Town, SW4 / Clapham Common tube
So where else are you going to find a prototype diving suit and junk shop with cheap beer in Clapham? As I suspected.

Funky Monkey, 25 Camberwell Church Street, SE5 / Denmark Hill train station
Surprisingly good DJs and toxic cocktails in this cozy Camberwell Bar can lead to some fun filled morning after regrets.

The George Inn, 77 Borough High Street, SE1 / London Bridge tube
It's hard to believe that Shakespeare and Dickens could really have got as trashed as you in the same seat as you. But you better believe it kid 'cos this is a drinking history like no other. The George Inn was opened in the sixteenth century and has since grown in reputation.

Inside 72, 72 Lordship Lane, SE22 / East Dulwich train station
There is no other London bar like it, so go on and experience the hardboard DIY bar, a Hoxton styled CD collection (look in the cupboard) and a very laid back approach to drinking, dancing and birthdays. It's South London drinking heaven. And the ideal spot for bust-ups, make-ups and happy 27ths.

The Trinity Arms, Trinity Gardens, SW2 / Brixton tube
This charming old pub makes a refreshing change from the over-priced and sleazy bars around Brixton. Ideal for a quiet pint to get away from it all.

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Guitar gods: live music venues

The Effra, Kelleton Road, SW9 / Brixton tube
Experience the best free jazz night in London every Sunday. Watch out for the incredible Robert "fingers" Mitchell, the talented pianist who should really be doing something much, much bigger. Lucky for us he's not.

The Windmill, Blenheim Gardens, Brixton Hill, SW9 / Brixton tube
It's rough and ready but there have been some top acts playing some true guitar grit. Music is on most nights and it usually costs less than a fiver. Visit www.windmillbrixton.co.uk/main.php for full listings.

Ritzy Cinema, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 / Brixton tube
OK, OK it is a cinema, but with the new line up of free live music events of global, electro, dub and jazz, most Wednesday to Sunday evenings, it's one not to miss. See below for more details about the Cinema. Visit www.ritzycinema.co.uk/site/cinemas/ritzy/cafe-bar-events.htm for full listngs.

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In the kitchen : restaurants without pretension

Carmen Bar Des Tapas, 6 Clapham Common South Side, SW4 / Clapham Common tube
If you are looking for some tapas and sangria, then look no further. By far one of the finest tapas restaurants in London, and it suits both a big birthday dinner or a romantic meal for two. It's very good value and has the added bonus of being 30 seconds from Clapham Common tube station.

Fujiyama, 7 Vining Street, SW9 / Brixton tube
Very reasonably priced Japanese noodle bar / restaurant. You will have to share a table, so it's not so good for a night of gossip catch-up, but otherwise the food is good, the service is fast and friendly, and you can get change from a tenner after a huge bowl of noodles and drinks.

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Off the wall : adventures in art forms

South London Gallery, 65 Peckham Road, SE5 / Peckham Rye or Denmark Hill train stations / Free
A look at the location of the South London Gallery promises little, situated in the no-man's land half way between Peckham and Camberwell, next to Southwark Town Hall. However, the journey is worth the walk, as the newly refurbished gallery has planned a dramatic, significant series of exhibitions, building on it's recent track record of big-name art purchases and off-the-wall performance pieces in the Live Art series. For details of current exhibitions visit the website www.southlondongallery.org.

Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 / Clapham Junction train station
The BAC, as it's fondly known, offers opportunities for dramatists and performance artists to test out new work, and audiences are offered the chance to be guinea pigs for their experiments in theatre. It could go one of two ways: either an 'I saw it first' night out or 'that guy really should get a day job'. It's your call. For details of current exhibitions visit the website www.bac.org.uk.

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Red eyed and yawning : a few late nights

Life doesn't finish at 11pm so neither should your drink, and no-one in London knows this better than Brixtonians. Don't worry about missing the last tube, because South London does night buses like nowhere else. Or push the boat out and stay until it gets light so you can catch the first tube home.

You could go to Fridge (1 Town Hall Parade, Brixton Hill) or Club 414 (414 Coldharbour Lane) for some old skool beats and sleaze, but if you're looking for good music and more dancing than a hired disco diva then we can offer you Mass (St Matthews Garden, Brixton Hill), the Brixton alternative to church on Sunday. It's open until 6am on Friday and Saturday so there's no need to leave your dancing shoes at home. Or for a more civilized late drink why not try the Brixtonian Havana Bar (11 Beehive Place). The bar is open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and with over 650 brands of rum, and entrance costing a fiver or less even after midnight, this is our tip for a great late South London night out.

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Screen burn : for film fanatics

There surely can't be any one left in London who hasn't heard of the Ritzy Cinema on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton. It has fantastic listings, friendly service, and tickets are reasonably priced, in the true spirit of art house cinema. They have also started a series of live music events in the cafe upstairs, all for free.

Or if you're feeling lazy why not check out the most comprehensive video shop in London, Star Video at 314 Walworth Road (at the Elephant and Castle end). They have so many videos you will need to flick through a catalogue to find the film of your choosing, but it sure beats Blockbusters. Phone in advance to check their stock on 020 7703 5846.

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