Gay Camberwell

by Layla

Our silence over the last few weeks is attributable to Roz and me having left the sunny climes of Camberwell for a rather more rainy and Dracula-studded experience on holiday in Transylvania. We returned home this weekend, just in time to catch the last of the sun and sample the delights of Frank's Campari Bar, the excellent pop-up bar on the roof of the Peckham multistory car park. Probably one of the coolest hidden venues in London, in my opinion, and surely the one with the best view of the London skyline (this year with the addition of the rather funky Elephant and Castle new skyscraper). Roz had decided to celebrate her birthday there on Sunday afternoon and we had an amusing time sitting in the sun waiting for the north Londoners to brave their way to Peckham (and find it a mere 10 minute journey from central London) and then to brave their way into a dodgy-looking multistory carpark with little optimism of finding such a great venue at the top. I was a huge fan of Frank's last year and it's pretty much the same this year. Maybe my favourite thing about Peckham! Though I also like Bar Story... the Italian restaurant... the Chinese Garden in Peckham Rye Park... Review bookshop... the cinema where we went to see Whatever Works later that evening (a total of four people in the cinema, including us - it was the night of the World Cup final)...

Of course Peckham is all very well, but this evening we were out in Camberwell. We're loving the ping pong table that's been installed on Camberwell Green (the same group who installed the piano last year) though we have sadly been unable to play on it - despite the website's claims that lost bats and balls are replaced daily, we've never been able to find any when we pass. Our ping pong bat order has now been placed with Amazon... 

We passed the ping pong table en route to the private view of a new art exhibition at the Sun and Doves. Nice to see it so busy, with arty types enjoying the pictures over complementary wine. Afterwards we popped into the Tiger to enjoy their lovely ambience over a glass of wine (Roz) and a big dessert (me). And reveled in the serenity of pubs now that the World Cup is over (hurrah!)

Of course in our absence the South London Gallery has expanded and there is allegedly a great cafe there - we know our responsibilities and will be investigating this weekend...