What does Christmas mean to The Man? An opportunity to dust off the elf costume and go for a few mince pies.
In all seriousness it is a busy time as there are countless cracker jokes to write. How do you describe a good elf? Welfy. Two boys are picked up by the police - one is eating fireworks the other is drinking battery acid. The police charge one and let the other one off.
Featured Recommendations
All Things Original
“Christmas to a child is the first terrible proof that to travel hopefully is better than to arrive.” (Stephen Fry)
Yes. This week’s featured recommendation is a website. For girls. But more importantly, we have it on good authority that every single girl in the world would appreciate a Christmas present from this site.
Christmas shopping done without turning off Sky Sports.
All Things Original, as the name suggests, has a wide range of Accessories, Art, Bags, and Jewellery which is not typically available on the high street. Apparently this increases the brownie points.
Public House, N1
54 Islington Park Street, N1 1PX
“I never stood in a public house bar and alcoholic drink never touched my lips.” (James Larkin)
Public House is a new addition to the Upper Street bar scene. Created by the folks behind LoungeLover and Nylon, this looks to us like a bar from 50s Hollywood - think LA Confidential.
There are a range of ’special events’ on Sundays - piano players, art, whisky tastings, etc. But - we think the best reason to come is for a few whiskies in a ‘dive bar’ environment before a night out in Angel. There is a large cocktail menu and your typical trendy bar snacks.
Watch the boozehounds and hepcats in action.
Hat and Tun, EC1
3 Hatton Wall, EC1N 8HX
“I can wear a hat or take it off, but either way it’s a conversation piece. ” (Hedda Hopper)
The Hat and Tun is an offshoot of the docklands pub The Gun. These days Hatton Gardens is a considerably more convenient location than doclands (given that no one is employed in the Docklands anymore), so this one should be a bit of a hit.
The focus is on creating the great British pub, so the menu includes pork pie and piccalilli, pie and mash, doorstep sandwiches and so forth.
Perfect for a Sunday or a cosy afternoon of festive cheer.
Stuff To Do
Lucha Libre at the Roundhouse 6th - 9th December.
Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
In the summer Lucha Libre took the Roundhouse by storm. No one quite knew whether to laugh or wince, but everyone had a great time. In their own words this is ‘four days of spectacular high-flying, jaw-dropping, ring-grappling, mask-wearing Mexican entertainment that is guaranteed to rock your world this December’. It’s hard to argue with that, especially when Mascarita Dorada, the mini-troll from Jack Black’s Nacho Libre is ‘fighting’!
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea at Battersea Art Centre from December 5th to January 3rd.
Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN
This was a real hit at Edinburgh in 2007. A story centred on fairy tales told through a surreal mix of live music, cabaret, and singalong. Interesting.
Lamb’s Conduit Street Winter Festival - TOMORROW ONLY
Lamb’s Conduit Street, Btwn Russell Square and Holborn, WC1N 3NB. Friday 5th Dec, 12pm-8pm.
The Independent traders of Lamb’s Conduit Street hold their 5th Annual Winter Fair. Live music, old fashioned games, alcoholic smoothies and a host of independent stalls. Finish early tomorrow, get a quick bit of christmas shopping in and settle into the Lamb pub for afters.
Gigs & Tickets
Coldplay and Jay-Z at Wembley Sept 09.
Jay Z to get you going and Coldplay to dampen the spirits. Or not. Note that these tickets are selling fast, but there are still tickets available for 15th December at the O2.
Girls Aloud at Wembley 26th and 27th May 2009.
Come on - it would be a great lads’ night out!
‘Tube Watch.
The best of man vs beast this week. As expected, most of the time this series just showed a host of bemused animals losing a contest they didn’t even know they were in, much like Paul Merson on a bad day in the mid-nineties. Anyway, here’s a few times when the tables turned
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Orangutan beats sumo wrestler in tug of war.
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Elephant beats dwarf army pulling a 747.
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Giant bear beats champion hot dog eater.
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Kangaroo lays out TV presenter.
Until next time Men. Stay Elfy.
