Wavy the Creator

Lagos

This is probably one of my favorite places to eat, coupled with the fact that it basically gives the vibe of you being in a house based on the variety of “rooms” you can go to.
Their jollof rice, peppered turkey and plantain? Never a miss

This is a new fashion store that appeals to the younger crowd in Nigeria. I first came across them on social media and was very pleased when i went to their online store and saw how well they cater to what the young people like. They have variety of options from shoes, to accessory They recently just opened a store at the Palms mall in Lekki, which is very convenient.

When I heard about Rufus and Bee, a fun house in Lagos, I was excited. The sense of freedom and nostalgia from the experience could make your inner child come alive. It is located in a building with 3 restaurants, a movie theater and an amazing rooftop view.

I feel this is a recreational haven for music and art lovers. It is a strategic site for the country, it was created around a decommissioned prison. From getting an insight into prison life in the 80’s to seeing a sample size of a cell as well as the gallows kind of motivates my process.
You sense immediately the love that transformed this former prison and place of hate and misery of colonial times into a venue where everyone is welcome. The park is beautiful

This bay is the ideal spot for ocean lovers, tourists and unarguably one of the best places to go to and have fun and relax. It’s my go to for the perfect “daycation”.

The main attraction for me was the 400m long canopy walkway (longest in Africa) as it gives a full view of the unique wildlife inhabiting the centre.

My first time at Bogobiri, I felt like I was at a spa in a treehouse. The art and decor are placed together to help you relax. The restaurant, the hotel and the art center make it a hub for everyone. You definitely know I do not miss Thursday’s open mic night.

A fine dining restaurant placed in an eye-catching environment with bamboo structures, use of shapes, contemporary art pieces and lest I forget, a contemporary fashion design store. My friends know it's the luxury Amala for me, to me it’s Amala that went to Yale.

This gallery is arguably the largest of its kind in West Africa with over 8,000 diverse works of art. Getting to see a wealth of artworks and be inspired by the thoughts behind the art. My favorite part of the first experience was how receptive and accommodating it feels once you’re in.

One of the largest markets in the city located in the heart of Lagos island. I enjoy thrifting a lot so this is like thrifting heaven

Exploring Lagos with Wavy the Creator

Lisbon

Once located in the Santos area, now in Cais do Sodré. Still a one of a kind house for music, dancing and meeting all kinds of people from various backgrounds.

One of the most revered independent record stores in Lisbon, owned by three good friends of mine. Best spot to try to score any copies still available of the Príncipe back catalogue.

A space concept by Hernâni Miguel, a major player in supporting the African nights in Lisbon and its affirmation in the city.

Whoever comes into O Cantinho da Ameixoeira is immediately immersed in a truly lusophone African embassy in the Ameixoeira Velha area, from its decorative motifs that not only embellish the place but also symbolise the restaurant’s long history and identity. I recommend getting the peixe andala and the molho de fogo – both are typical of São Tomé e Príncipe, where my parents are from.

World-famous joint of nozinha, the mistress of Cape Verdean food. It’s a place to get together, enjoy live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and a cachupa (recognised as one of the best in the greater Lisbon area). I especially recommend chanfana de cabra (a goat Stew typical of the south of Portugal), cachupa (Cape Verdean traditional dish of slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, meat and morcela) and congo (also a Cape Verdean dish of a stew based on a typical kind of bean called congo).

This non-profit cultural association opened in the Beato area as a space for co-
working for emerging artists, but also with a programme to the public that has
been steadily winning traction with pop-up markets, exhibitions, various
music and outdoor film sessions at night.

Since 2014, Quinta do Mocho – where I have my home studio and where my mamma still lives – started what is now over half a hundred of works of street art displayed on the walls of its social housing project buildings, created and made by acclaimed artists. The guided visits take place in the last Saturday of each month at 10am; meeting point being the Casa da Cultura de Sacavém.

Where to Go in Lisbon, According to DJ Marfox

Ana Clara Watanabe

São Paulo

Pinacoteca de São Paulo is a museum dedicated to Brazilian Visual Art. With an emphasis on Brazilian production from the nineteenth century to the present day, the place also dialogue with the cultures of the world by collecting, studying, preserving, exhibiting and communicating its collections to promote the public’s experience with art, stimulate creativity and the construction of knowledge. Founded in 1905 by the São Paulo State Government, it is the city’s oldest art museum.

SESC is a non-profit Brazilian private institution that makes available Education, Health, Culture and Recreational programs and events and well as provides Social Assistance to workers and their dependents. Since its foundation, Sesc has contributed to socioeconomic and cultural development in Brazil through social and educational actions and a wide variety of services that encourage the exercise of citizenship.

At SESC you can do anything for a really affordable price. You can have a good meal, visit a nice exhibition or even watch a special concert for a R$10. Some SESC's in São Paulo have pools, gyms and a few activities for you and your family/friends.

Casa do Povo means “house of people” and that’s literally what they are. It’s a place that provides many cultural activities for those who can afford. You can find there sewing classes, social activities like Empreendedoras Sin Fronteras, choral, dance lessons, meetings and a really comfortable place to spend the afternoon learning, listening and meeting nice people.

The old building of the "Sorocabana Railroad" is now "Sala São Paulo", home of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra and one of the most important concert and event venues in the country.

Designed by Christiano Stockler das Neves in 1925 ―a period when the city, stimulated by coffee and the railway, was growing at a fast pace― the building, marked by the sobriety of the ornaments and details of the Louis XVI style, would only be completed in 1938, when the urbanization of São Paulo was already characterized by the presence of automobiles, minimizing the use of trams and trains.

One of my dearest friends once told me about this place where a couple of Korean immigrants serves their traditional family recipes. They don’t speak Portuguese very well, but the place, their energy and the food makes you feel like home.

Good price and one of the best Korean foods that I ever tried. Really worth it to visit and it’s also located near to the best fabrics and trims stores! They don’t have a website, but you can get more infos at their Instagram page.

José Paulino is a famous fashion street where you can find clothes and accessories from several different brands and designers. It’s a street where you can visit a fancy shop, a shop that has another 10 shops inside of it, buy clothes on the streets... It’s really worth it the visit ‘cause you can find anything there, meet brands that you may never heard about but with well-made pieces, clothes for a popular price, things that are trending right now…

This part of the town has already suffered a lot of “bad judgments” ‘cause a lot of immigrants work in this part of town in bad conditions, so be careful and ask from where and how that piece was made.

If you’re looking for a good meal in a good and beautiful restaurant, here’s your place. Darê is one of the best Korean cuisines that I ever tried, and they have two options: the first one, where you serve yourself at a table with cold and hot Korean food; and the second and “fancy” one, where you can check their menu with more different options.

The Chef Paulo Shin revisited the mix between the traditional and the modern Korean Cuisine. “We privilege the cozy and casual experience, with the commitment to bring a meal with the care of the production taught by Dona Myung (Paulo’s mom), the flavor that refers to the Korean roots and the experiences of different refinements.

Ana's Guide to Bom Retiro

Dani Pujalte

Barcelona

Of all the bars I really like Quimet. They have tapas and conservas. I used to live really close so this was the bar I went to all the time

It's the best party in Barcelona. You'll need to drink but it's definitely the best party in town

This place is really special. When we had the Olympics here they built a pool with a super high trampoline where you can see all of Barcelona. They built a shitty bar there too, it’s not fancy at all but that’s why I like it. It’s good for the views, having a beer with your friends and watching the sunset

I really like this gallery. It's also in Montjuic so stop by when you're there

I really like pizza and Italian food. It’s really good here. It’s a bit expensive, but not super expensive and they have really good wines. It's run by two twin brothers and I really recommend this one I love it. Everything’s super good, the spaghetti and squid ink pasta super good

It's super crowded but they've opened an exhibition on Picasso with photography which is really nice. I've been lucky to have been documenting the installation and stuff so I got a sneak peek. There are loads of cool sculptures too.

I've been going here since I was super young - this is a good club to go to in Barcelona

We’re super lucky in Barcelona to have the sea here, it's super important for me. Whenever I have some free space, I used to go to where the beach is separated by stones because I hate sand. I have my own stone that I sit on, relax and have my legs in the water. I really like this stone. There’s not thousands of tourists so you can be chill alone and naked too

Dani Pujalte takes us Trippin in Barcelona

Conducta

Bristol

An amazing gallery space near Bristols Harbourside. Have been to countless exhibitions & talks there whilst growing up & they do a great job of amplifying a diverse range of culture.

When I was 15 I snuck out to play my first gig here, clanged a lot but have fond memories of the place. Really intimate basement bar & great club venue

Beautiful cider bar on a boat where I met my first manager & best friend a few years ago. Somewhere I would always go for food or drink before a hometown show

A venue in Bristol v close to my heart. Threw my first EP launch in 2016 here with a producer called Notion also from Bris & it was one of the best nights I’ve played to this day. We manage to sell out & energy in the room that day was crazy. It came full circle last year where I sold it out again on my record labels Klub Kiwi tour.

Close to where I grew up in Bristol, a park I have fond memories of being chased home by dogs from. A very serene, lowkey park which is perfect for a long walk & alone time. Also quite hilly & perfect for bike rides.

5* Pizza. Perfect balance of cosiness & intimacy with great lighting.

I played my first festival here for Love the saves day. But growing up here was a good escape from my mums trips to IKEA which were around the corner

A low key bar, tucked away as you enter stokes croft. Close to essentials such as Crofters rights & bilbos!!

Often when I’ve been booked to play in bristol, motion has been the homecoming location. One of my best shows came at sequences festival a few summers ago where I played in the courtyard

Discover Bristol with Garage Producer Conducta

Manchester

A long time fav spot for yard (Jamaican) food. You might not think its proper because unlike a lot of other yardie food shops, they often do have what you want and serve it with no bad attitude lol. The jerk wings, festival and fritters are great.

Been playing at and having mad raves in Soup for well over 10 yrs. Swing Ting, a collective I'm part of has had its regular monthly nights there. Its just a cool spot with vibrant nights on and serves food upstairs.

Can't skate for shit but I'm fascinated by it and the garms are fresh. Joe Gavin who used to work there shot my first ever video The Eyes 'Harder' and I've made tunes with Think Tonk who works there. Also, played a few 'pop up' Street raves outside the shop with Levelz and its always a vibe.

Another great venue with loads of sweaty drunken memories. Estate Records used to do Ballin On A Budget there.

My bredrin just took over this spot, formerly Kim's by the Sea, and its a proper slice of Manchester. Foods great, lots of local community characters/artists/creatives passing through and just a cool warm vibe.

I play a lot of gigs here, mostly Hit&run nights. The gigs vary but I've never had a bad night there.

A lot of these spots I've mentioned are in this area of the city centre. It's filled with a lot of bars, clubs and creative hubs. Pic of a video shoot with Equiknoxx, Swing ting, Tarnish Vision.

On a good sunny day you're liable to find people playing music, usually Bloc2bloc crew, and lots of people chilling. Photo of a video shoot with Sparkz, Jhest, Layfullstop and Pitch.

If you wanna book in some recording time at a professional local studio, look no further. Ask for Darius. Photo of B. Cass, Diemond and myself from a recent recording session for Squang Dang, from my album 'Squang Dangs in the Key of Vibes' OUT NOW.

Manchesters Best Spots with Fox

CXLOE

Sydney

Icebergs is Sydney's most instagrammed location! Its located at Bondi Beach and overlooks the infamous Bondi lap pool. You can have a sit down meal overlooking the beach or enjoy a cocktail down below by the pool. There are often beach parties thrown here so definitely have a look for any upcoming shows before you head down!

The Arms is a beautiful outdoor venue right by the water in Sydneys Northern Beaches. The view is an amazing feature about this place but you can also bring your DOG which is the selling point for me. You're not allowed pets in many dining areas in Australia so this is a go to spot for me and my pup.

If you're feeling fancy, Opera Bar is a must as it overlooks the beautiful Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. I grew up playing gigs here until I had enough to move over to the states to start my own career :)

This is one of my favourite places to go in Sydney when I'm needing some puppy love. This is a no kill shelter and all the animals are free to be walked and played with!

Mediterranean is one of my favourite types of food so if you're also a lover of this you HAVE to go to Emma's Snackbar. It's located just outside Sydney CBD and this is where the hub of bars, music venues and shopping is located. They have the best food, it's fast and inexpensive!

A perfect place to go for pre drinks in Sydney's city is The Winery. The name speaks for itself! If you're a lover of good wine and atmosphere this is the place to go. Any and every wine you could ask for and the best homemade pita bread with pumpkin hummus on the planet. It's also located in Surry Hills which is a vibey place to go if you're looking for a cool underground bar or opp shop!

Sydney with CXLOE

Paul Camo

Margate

Palm Bay Skates is on Northdown Road, and it's the place [where] I get all my caps from now. Run by Matt and Sarah, they make all their garments onsite, or use UK-based factories for items they don't make themselves. They also have an embroidering machine onsite which is always in use, making quality patches. Their lines are constantly expanding but there's always a few essentials in store. Go check them out for baseball caps, jerseys. hoodies, t-shirts and beanies.

There are a few really good art galleries and spaces here in Margate: Carl Freeman, Quench Gallery, Crate and Penthouse Margate – to name a few. But I'm picking out Well Projects as my tip. It's about three quarters of the way up Northdown Road in Cliftonville and it's an artist-led gallery. [It] always has very interesting, curated exhibitions from emerging artists, which can range from video and sound installations, performances and talks to sculpture, ceramics, paintings and print-based work.

Situated at the foot of the high street, in a small shopping area called The Centre. Elsewhere is a brilliant live music venue, record shop and bar. It's been a champion of both independent and local bands since it opened, but has also become a choice venue for a lot of better known acts too. I have to give a shout out to Sammy (Arts Cool), who is responsible for a lot of what I love about Elsewhere. We must support local independent venues.

Dalby's is a bit of a Margate institute. Simply put, it serves up a banging fry up. Perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast after a big night out.

If fry ups aren't your thing, go check Forts out. The coffee is so good, everything on the food menu is also banging. You basically can't go wrong with any choice.

Sargasso is a great restaurant out on the harbour arm, opposite the old town. It is run by the team behind Brawn in London. They have a lot of locally-sourced produce, the wine list is on point and they're now doing the most gorgeous soft serve. Be sure to book in advance as it's a popular one due to its beautifully executed and delicious menu, and buzzing atmosphere.

My favourite place to get a drink has got to be Rose in June, run by legendary landlord and all-round top guy Deke. Before I moved to Margate, Deke used to run my favourite London pub, Three Kings, in Clerkenwell. Rose in June is a little off the beaten track, which I like; it's cosy, authentic and [has a] well-curated interior with a nice, old-school vibe. They also serve some great grub. It's worth checking Deke's new spot, Off Licence, which is a smaller bar opposite the Lido tower.

If you've got time, you've got to check out the Shell Grotto. If you haven't got time, make time. It's not something you'll experience very often. It's a subterranean grotto that was discovered in 1835 and is covered with 4.6 million shells. Little is known about the Shell Grotto's reason for being, but one thing is for sure – it's quite amazing. Whilst you're at it, also go visit the Margate Caves which is nearby.

Run by two local legends, Rae and Cynthia, Werkhaus is an expertly curated shop of modern utilitarian womenswear and vintage garments on High St. The shop used to be an old launderette. The High St has seen an influx of independent shops popping up in recent years. Whilst visiting Werkhaus, it's also worth popping into Margate Gift Store, Kill Me Now and L'Absurde.

A Weekend Break to Margate With Paul Camo

Amanda Mussi

Asunción

Night club in the central area, located in the basement of a classic hotel from the 80's, the club kept the original architecture and furniture, and it's a very unique and elegant space with a great sound system and atmosphere, it's where I play monthly as a resident DJ, and there are techno nights on Saturdays and different styles on Fridays hosting guest events. It's where I had the best cocktails in town. Best Cocktail: Thai Massage

Bar and club located in Las Mercedes neighbourhood, where I also play monthly, the venue has a Thursday night run by Inbetween label, with residents and guests DJs. The venue has a small and cozy but powerful dancefloor with a bar, and drinks menu is simple but proper: draft beer, Fernet & Coke and Gin&Tonic are the favourites there.

New venue in Centro, located at an old colonial big house, where the space was adapted to a music recording studio, a café and a nightclub and record shop called Panpanam.

Asian fusion restaurant in Las Mercedes with great cocktails, a cozy backyard with music and an inside more intimate area. 
Best cocktail: Las Mercedes / Best Meal: Chicken Bimbibap and Veggie Mandu


Gourmet versions of typical Paraguayan food, like manioc, empanadas, corn, meat, normally I order to share, dishes come in small portions, so I usually order all the menu and share everything. Their menu is constantly changing and everything is absurdly delicious.

It's a bar, with a pub vibe, owned by skateboarders, located in Las Lomas, they serve tapas, finger food and various craft beer brands.

100% sourdough bread take away bakery, located in Villa Morra and Las Mercedes. They're whole wheat bread is my favorite for breakfast, they also sell croissants, brownies and other sweet bakery

Their slogan says it all "Cocina sin Raíces" - which means "rootless kitchen", they basically have pizza and tapas, and a variety of dishes from typical local food to hamburger and fries. Located in barrio Mburucuyá, at a dead end street, with tables outside and inside, nice music selection.

Local and latin-american clay & sculpture museum, with contemporary exhibitions and antique art collection. 

Contemporary art gallery/space and house in 2 addresses, with guided visits, open space to see the house, artist’s studio, workshops, events.


Legendary Tattoo studio in Centro from one of the first tattoo artists of Paraguay; Walter de Souza Lobo, traditional and Japanese tattoos and where many travelling artists also work while in town. 

Amanda Mussi's Guide to Asunción

Yasmin

Mexico City 

I love playing at YuYu cause it’s what a real nightclub should be - a dark, sweaty little basement, a sound system you can feel in your bones and a no phones on the dance floor policy. Mostly techno & electronic music, but you can find some more soulful disco and house played here too.

A slick Japanese inspired speak-easy bar with a delicious hi-fi sound system. The house record collection is great, the cocktails are great and the heated toilet seats are also, great.

Casa Franca is a sexy spot and my favourite place to enjoy live music. They host regular Jazz and Blues nights with a rotating line-up of the cities finest musicians and the place itself has lots of cosy corners to make out with your date in also.

As a straight woman I’m probably not the one to tell you what the best Queer club night  is, but I have enjoyed many a Saturday night dancing in Sic. They always have a sick (pun intended) line-up of DJ’s and a dance floor full of friendly faces. Only open on Saturdays.

I love love love Teatro Lucido, it’s part theatre, part venue, part club, part someone’s home.. It’s a unique experience where everyone is a part of the performance, from immersive theatre to live bands to erotic poetry to DJ sets, anything can happen at Teatro Lucido. Check their instagram for dates / events.

An absolute must if you’re visiting CDMX, guaranteed good times with a live salsa and cumbia band in a beautiful Salon with checkered dance floor. Get a table with your friends, buy a bottle, order some fries and stay there dancing till 4AM. I’m not telling you to take mushrooms here but I’m not telling you not to either.

Choza is everyone’s favourite spot to be honest. Its got a vibe like no other, the food is out of this world and owner Tyler and in-house selector / MD Covagrooviest have been building a record collection full of rare and wonderful audio delights for years. On Mondays they have the “Lunes Listening Lounge” where they play 3 records in their entirety alongside guest DJ’s, friends and family. You can catch me there hanging, eating and sippin’ most weekends.

As the name suggests, this is the spot for Sunday afternoon through evening partying. Always bringing a heated line-up of international and local electronic DJs, the venue is pretty special also, located in the Historic Centre of the city on the 6th floor with killer views, definitely slide through for a sunset rave.

Yasmin's Guide to Nightlife in CDMX

Stiff Pap

Cape Town

If you want a night out in the township, this should be your first stop. Rands is one of the best live music venues in the city and a great place to experience a night out over some drinks and some of SA’s biggest musicians.

If you’re interested in hiking this is an entry level trail. There’s a beautiful view of the ocean and the city when you reach the peak. It’s really pretty around sundown.

This is a great spot for people who want to experience some of Cape Town’s alternative/underground music events. The best event to attend there is called Prime, so keep an eye on their socials.

This is probably the most popular bar in town. They have great music from an eclectic line up of local (and some international) djs. Start off at the one in Kloof Street around 6/7pm for sundowners and make your way down the road to the one on loop street around 10pm for the rest of the night. If you just want a chilled night out, stick to Kloof Street.

If you’re into markets/food festivals this is your spot on Saturday mornings. There are local bands, food stalls and tons of independent retailers selling (often local) goods.

Observatory is often referred to as the bohemian centre of Cape Town, because of all the students and backpackers it attracts. With the many bars on Lower Main Road, its definitely a must see for people looking to meet new people and interact with the creative community.

If you’re a fan of nature, you might want to make a stop here with the whole family. This is easily one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the country. Depending on the season they also host live concerts on the grass.

Cape Town with Music Duo, Stiff Pap

Eli Escobar

New York City 

Knockdown Center is this old factory with lots of different nooks and crannies to explore; this huge, amazing place over a pile of abandoned building and piles of rubble. They made it beautiful. There's a club in the basement; it's like a dungeon, you can go down there and there'll be techno but on summer evenings they have the outside going and you can get 2,000 people out there. There's always good stuff every weekend. It has a magical vibe to it because you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. Knockdown Center would be my favourite place for outdoor stuff. I do a party there on Sundays during the summer called Tiki Disco so I'm a bit biased because our party's really special, but it's not only because of that. I like the place in general.

Good Room has been around for a while now. The thought that has gone into that place has been really tremendous. The sound is immaculate and they're constantly improving on the sound system. There's two rooms: one room called the Bad Room and then there's the main room. The bathroom is this dark, smoky, tight, little space that goes crazy. You feel like you can't see anything when you're in there; it's flashing lights and smoke, and they'll have DJs in there. In the main room, there's always DJs. It's a beautiful old club that used to be a Polish queer club. It's got this 80s look to it: beautiful wooden floors and these steel ceilings. The music is consistently excellent. The guy who does the programming, Josh [Houtkin], he's got great taste. There's always spectacular stuff going on, and it’s become, over the years, one of our most beloved spaces.

My favourite new club in Bushwick. You go into Paragon and you feel like you are stepping into an alternative seedy underground section of our culture. It's very diverse and the music is really cutting edge; there's a lot of exciting new talent being booked. It's more the edgy side of things in the basement, and the basement is wild. The turntables are on a pool table. When I was DJing there, people were surrounding me, screaming. The ceilings are low, and it's really smoky and crazy. Then, on the top floor, they've got this old-school-style DJ booth all the way up on top looking down on this beautiful second floor balcony that reminds me of The Limelight from the 90s. They tend to put more straightforward techno up there. Downstairs will be more newer stuff that's emerging from the underground. The person who owns it has a very beloved long-running club in New York called Bossa Nova Civic Club and it feels like the sister club to that place. It's very close by and has a lot of the same crowd.


House of Yes keeps giving me the most creative freedom out of any place I've worked at. They let me play all night, which is becoming more common for me these days. There's a lot of spectacle; aerialists, dancers, all sorts of different shows. You'll be dancing and then all of a sudden, in the middle of the dancefloor, there’ll be a show with two dancers that work for the club. For a long time, it's been the epicentre of creative expression and creative freedom. A real safe space for people to be at. They're consistent and maybe even better than ever now. I've had a monthly night where I can play for six, seven hours and I really love doing that.

If you're looking for a simple, dark basement type of vibe, a good one is Black Flamingo in Williamsburg. It's a beautiful, simple basement; all wood, kind of looks like a sauna. Minimal lighting and really nice sound. There's always good house and disco being played there. It's in the basement of a restaurant. You wouldn't even necessarily know it's there if you were in the restaurant, but at 10pm they open up this little door and then you go down the stairways and it gets dark and smoky. I think you can't even get 100 people in there, so it's very intimate and chill.

I don't think it's been open for two full months yet. SILO is like this brown tin can in this area that used to be old factories. I played there recently all night and what was interesting to me was that the DJ booth was just smack dab in the middle of the dancefloor. I would hesitate to call it a booth. There's the CDJs and the mixer, and you step up on this – not even one foot up – little board and you're DJing in the middle of the dancefloor surrounded by people. At first I was like, this feels claustrophobic. And then I really enjoyed it actually, it was fun. It felt like I was in the party. It was easy to feed off of the crowd’s energy, and there's no other place like that in New York. It feels intimate because you're surrounded by people but then you can't see how many more people are all around. I think they can get 500 or 600 people in there, and the bookings have been stellar also. New York's crazy good right now.

Nowadays is special for a lot of reasons. It's beautiful looking, it feels really neat. We've got this outdoor area that's beautifully lit. It provides a nice area to go take a breather, it's not that wild outside and then inside the sound system is beautiful. They've done an amazing job of creating their own little scene, booking lots of unsung, up-and-coming talent and creating a place for those people to be able to play, and then getting them more opportunities to play at other places. It feels like they've got a unique approach to running a club. They stay open from Saturday to late Sunday night or early Monday morning, so you can always go there. A lot of times on Saturdays, at 5am, when I'm finishing people will be like, 'Where can we go now?' You can always go to Nowadays because they're just going and going.

The Best Clubs in New York Chosen by Eli Escobar

LADIPOE

A quirky afrocentric boutique hotel with a small gallery and a serious vinyl collection of vintage Nigerian music. They host an open mic night every Thursday and this is where I first began to hone my skill as a performer. The food is great too.

This was once a prison during colonial times, but it’s now a centre that celebrates art and culture. It’s home to quite a few festivals and live events, but Afropolitan Vibes is the one that offered me and many others a platform to perform to a big crowd of regulars.

It’s hard to describe hFACTOR. It’s this really cool space in the heart of Lagos Island. They often collaborate with different people to throw some amazing parties and you get to meet the most unique characters. It’s a completely different vibe each time.

It’s the tea for me. However, it is first and foremost a library of vinyl records, CDs, DVDs and books. The proprietors are also a great source of knowledge about Lagos, and Nigeria in general. Also, as mentioned earlier, the tea is excellent. I performed there once, as a member of a group called the Collectiv3.

So many of us have been excluded from places because of our fashion sense, musical leanings and unique way we present ourselves to the world, but at Island Block Party (and its progenitor - mainland block party), everyone is welcome. My favourite thing about it is the exchange of culture between dissimilar yet like-minds. It’s what makes this monthly party a must to attend. It’s also a great place for upcoming and established acts to perform.

LADIPOE's Guide to Arts and Culture In Lagos

Melodic Distraction

Liverpool

Don’t watch the Trip Advisor reviews, Festival Gardens is still a spot in the summertime. Tucked away off the main trail of Otterspool Promenade, the gardens have gone a bit unloved in the last few years. The trees and plants may be reclaiming the land in parts but it all adds to the slightly mysterious vibe of the place.

It may not be in Liverpool but most in this part of the world visit at least once a year. Hilbre Island is only accessible by foot when the tide’s out and takes around an hour to reach by walking across the sand. There’s always some cool wildlife to run into when you’re out there and you can even spot the seals bobbing their heads up from the sea in the summer months.

Art, film, technology and culture all come together at FACT. It’s an interactive gallery, cinema, cafe and learning space all rolled into one. They support loads of great local artists in the city and there’s always something to get involved with.

Our favourite spot for preloved records in Liverpool. Dig Vinyl is a lovingly curated treasure trove of second hand slabs of wax. Belter rock, new wave and reggae sections, backed up by a load of dancefloor cuts and super friendly staff behind the counter on every visit.

It’s a bar, a coffee spot, a gig venue, a winter garden and a boss record store. Phase One is the latest venue from the folks behind the historic Liverpool club, The Jacaranda. We’re here for three months, thanks to the support of Dr. Martens and the good folks at Phase One, as we fundraise for our brand-new studio space. We’re looking to raise £35,000 to build our new, permanent home out of two shipping containers at The Tapestry in Liverpool’s Fabric District. The pandemic may have slowed things down but there is no doubt that the team at Phase One have big plans for the future!

A small and vibrant club and garden down on the North Docks of Liverpool. Nestled away among derelict warehouses, getting there is a challenge upon a first visit but the reward is worth the cab ride.

A hugely passionate crew runs the place and the club is a real labour of love. Who else can say they’ve hosted Moodymann in a 175 capacity venue, eh!?

A small, intimate club with a great soundsystem and booking policy. What more do you need to know? A go-to for students, locals and older heads alike. Any given week can host everything from jazz bands to house, techno and jungle DJs. 24KS have been fighting their own battle against gentrification for some time now - and we can’t think of any regular folks on the ground who aren’t 100% behind their right to stay!

The best outdoor bar in town during Liverpool’s long winter months. Handmade bric-a-brac furniture, mulled drinks and a tiny but punchy little event space, The Kazimier Gardens and adjoining ‘Stockroom’ gig venue are locally beloved.

The jewel in the crown of Liverpool’s Sefton Park, the Palm House is a Victorian era greenhouse filled with tropical plants from around the world.

It regularly hosts weddings, corporate events and functions but from time-to-time you can see a wicked gig in there the likes of Norman Jay, Slick Rick and even a Boiler Room takeover.

The newest spot on our list, Nomad is a lockdown baby. Opening after the first UK lockdown lifted; its coffee and light bites have proven super popular with the residents of the ever-busy Smithdown Road.

Head down all week for coffee, or book a table for a good Sunday lunch (often in the form of a homemade lasagna!)

Community Radio Melodic Distraction's guide to Liverpool

Oso Leone

Shawarma or falafel - get the Shawarma special - the food is so heartfelt you can taste it

Really good sound system, not many bands do but we played here a while ago

Great selection of DJs and a great sound system - the Brilliant Corners team helped set it up

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