Today’s roundup: Wed 2nd June

June 2nd, 2010 by Penny Golightly

More fabulous freebies and interesting discounts today….

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The Roxy Bar and Screen

April 30th, 2010 by Penny Golightly

If you fancy a quirky, luxurious and bargainous night out at the cinema then the Roxy Bar and Screen in Borough might be the place for you. Here you can settle in to watch films on squidgy sofas, cute booths and reclaimed picture palace velvet seats for the princely sum of only £3. For Zone 1 in London that truly is a snip.

The programme ranges from recent blockbusters and arthouse films right through to short films and animation, and they also have regular themed evenings with double bills and guest speakers. The Roxy plays host to a variety of film festivals as well, and if that’s not your thing then you might be interested to hear that they hold comedy and live music evenings, and use their four-metre-wide screen for big sporting events like the football and rugby. Card sharps love the place for its regular poker nights too, which are often sponsored by different brands of bourbon and other drinks.

Speaking of drinks, there’s a wide range of well-chosen wines and beers on offer, plus a small but perfectly formed cocktail menu, and teas and coffees. If you get peckish you can have food brought to your table while the movie’s playing. They serve reasonably priced bistro fare, light bites and, of course, icecream. Or you may prefer to try out one of the many favourably-reviewed nearby restaurants or gastropubs instead.

If you want to get a good seat for the evening’s performance, make sure you get down to the Roxy with plenty of time to spare before the film begins. For this week’s film programme, see their website for full details.

The Roxy Bar and Screen, 128-132 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB. Nearest tube station: Borough.
Telephone: 020 7407 4057
www.roxybarandscreen.com

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the Lastminute.com blog.

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Borough Market on a budget

April 15th, 2010 by Penny Golightly

The UK foodie paradise of Borough Market is just a short walk from London Bridge on the South Bank. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it has a well-earned reputation for the wide range of quality foods stocked by the different stallholders.

You can easily spend hours here wandering from stall to stall, taking in the atmosphere and visiting the excellent surrounding cafes, pubs and restaurants. The only drawback is that you can also end up spending a lot more money than you thought you were going to. How can you enjoy a day at a place like Borough Market if you’re travelling on a shoestring or feeling the pinch in the run-up to payday?

I’ll happily agree that some things are worth spending the extra on, whether that’s Freedom Foods, Fairtrade goods, or good old expertise and panache. For example, the organic small-estate and cooperative coffees from the Monmouth Coffee Co cost about the same as drinks from the big chains, but to me they represent better value and I think they taste better too.

If you go around all the stalls and shops, chances are you’ll be offered enough free tasters to make up a substantial mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack if you time your visit right, although it’s best not to be too cheeky. If the weather’s good you can buy yourself a delicious take-away snack or picnic ingredients to eat in the grounds of Southwark Cathedral or Tate Modern, rather than going for a full-price sit-down meal somewhere. A perfect way to end the day is to head to the Old Vic or Shakespeare’s Globe for a spot of theatre, both are great venues too.

When it comes to shopping, I have two favourite stalls for bargains. The first is fruit and veg merchants Elsey & Bent, who are a little less chi-chi than some of the other greengrocers at Borough and consequently have lower prices. They also stock plenty of seasonal foods, which tend to become cheaper when large amounts hit the markets. On a similar note, the £1-table at the Pays D’Auge Fromages stall is a don’t-miss part of the market. They sell off ripe French cheeses that are still perfectly good for eating, and many foodies would say that’s when they’re are at their best. Happy eating!

Borough Market opening hours: Thursdays: 11am – 5pm, Fridays: 12 noon – 6pm, Saturdays: 8am – 5pm.
www.boroughmarket.org.uk

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

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Las Vegas: The Strip on a shoestring

April 9th, 2010 by Penny Golightly

With its high roller lifestyles and neon glitz, Las Vegas can quickly take you down to your last dime. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy its hotels, restaurants and entertainment on a shoestring, starting with The Strip (aka Las Vegas Boulevard).

The recession hit local casinos hard, so they want your business. Haggle down room prices or get upgrades, and ask for ‘comps’ (freebies), ‘funbooks’(voucher booklets) and discounts to get extra gambling credit, and free/reduced tickets for shows, drinks and meals. Many supply free bottles of spirits or sparkling wine on arrival too, or have cocktail happy hours. Avoid their room service and wi-fi charges – head to coffee shops to get online for nothing – and scan free local magazines for extra coupons.

Free entertainment rules in Vegas. Dancing fountains outside the Bellagio play every half hour in the evening, but for something kitschier try the erupting volcano outside the Mirage, performance artists in Circus Circus, Elvis and Marilyn impersonators in Imperial Palace, pole dancing croupiers in Planet Hollywood or animatronic statues in the Forum Shops’ fountains. Or just walk around The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas or Caesar’s Palace gawping at the decor.

The best views are from the top of the Stratosphere Tower at sunset. Don’t get fleeced catching the main elevator to their funfair: ask staff to show you the other (free) elevator for the top floor cocktail lounge. Sip perfectly-mixed Manhattans or martinis, then take the lift and stairs a couple of floors to the viewing deck.

If you’re gambling, set an amount and stick to it, or play risk free at casino gambling lessons where they show you the rules of blackjack, poker and roulette. Play slowly, and enjoy the free waitress-service drinks (tip a dollar per drink to keep ‘em coming).

Enjoy deluxe dining for less with lunchtime and set menu meals, or fill up with quality buffet breakfasts and forget lunch (try Spice Market Buffet, the Bellagio, or Paris Las Vegas). Cheaper eats include ‘Wichcraft deli and Fashion Show Mall diners. Want to catch a show after dinner? Buy same-day discounted tickets from Tix4Tonight.

For big brand shopping bargains, catch the CAT shuttle bus to Las Vegas Premium Outlets at the top end of the Strip where they have everything from Calvin Klein to Levi’s. Beauty fans should also head to Sephora in the Venetian for cult purchases and own-brand products. Finally, cheap souvenirs can be found all over town, my favourites being 1950s-style drinking glasses, ex-casino packs of cards and zany fridge magnets. Because what happens in Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas…

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

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