Hong Kong

Why Hong Kong Is The Main Character In Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood For Love

Rose Bonica

Cape Town

Our local vinyl store, run by a group of really amazing people. They describe it as a “community record store for colourful music”. Check out their online store and The Other Radio that brings you shows hosted by a whole selection of South African artists and DJs.

There's no way you can visit Cape Town without driving along Chapmans Peak and getting a photo at the Lookout Point. For people who live here, Chappies is still one of the go to spots on a Sunday drive. I mean how can it not be with a view like this.

Definitely one of my most nostalgic spots, having gone to Llandudno Primary. The sunsets from here are insane! If I’m honest, it's also one of the only beaches I'd go to if I liked to go to the beach.

If you want the best fish and chips in Cape Town. If you disagree, you can always feed the fish to the seagulls.

One of the few clubs that we have in Cape Town. Champagne and NTSC are my favourite nights. Some of their other nights are great too, if you're looking for a bit more of a Berlin techno vibe.

I recently went to the Aquarium to film a live stream and it's definitely my new favourite spot in Cape Town. The best part is that most of the sea life are rescues getting rehabilitated to get put back into the ocean.

The perfect little village to escape to when the city becomes too much. The beach is beyond and there's a beautiful Lake at the end of the beach to float around in when the waves get too much.

Party in an Aquarium? Welcome to Cape Town

Amaarae

Accra

Go on a Friday or Saturday if you like to be in the hustle and bustle and like crowds, but if you're chill and want a great night with a great atmosphere go after work. Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, at about 6 – 9 pm and just have a drink and chill out.

A little hole in the wall spot with a rooftop, they do sick Thai food. If you go there ask for everything extra spicy, it's sick.

It’s a stretch of tiny alcohol kiosks, there’s one dude who has a kiosk and he had a couch outside and people just post up on the couch. Order a bunch of local shots.

Go drink at the republic bar, tell them Amaarae sent you.

The Best Spots for a Drink in Accra with Amaarae

Psycho YP

Abuja

I’m a huge fan of wings and this is a place I know has great wings. Deffo one for this list

I don’t really go clubbing that much, but I know Moscow is the one people are at.

Got a close friend who DJs there most nights so it’s always a vibe. Outdoor but under like a little cabana type thing. Big vibes.

Abuja with Psycho YP

Farhot

Hamburg

Guess there’s always a rich and a rotten side in the area around any train station. Well, at least in Germany. This one’s defo not the posh side – sex shops, backyard mosques, junkies, pawnbrokers, and you won’t spot too many blonde folks around here. But you can find lots of great Middle Eastern food joints like Akdeniz Tantuni.

Doner Kebab might be the most popular Turkish food in Germany but to me, Tantuni, which is also a type of kebab, is defo in a yumminess league above. If you love kebab, try this!

Feels and tastes like home. This restaurant is named after the Hindu Kush mountain range that stretches through Afghanistan, so if my mom doesn’t have time to cook up something delish on a Sunday, this is where I get great Afghan cuisine.

I just love Vietnamese street food! Lately many places that offer pho and such have been popping up around town but to me this is definitely the best place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in Hamburg. Normally, you’d find me at their branch close to the main train station.

Good movies are a blessing and one of my main sources of inspiration. I’ve watched countless great movies at this art-house cinema right in the heart of the university district. Hope they’ll be able to open up soon because I miss that big screen feeling.

Want to get away from the city and just enjoy some peace in nature? Then just grab a bike and cycle along the Dove Elbe, which is the rough, untouched lower part of the Elbe River. Ok, I really think I’m getting old.

Hamburg has always been big on trade and is home to the world’s biggest warehouse district. Here, you can see how goods are delivered and maybe get a discount on oriental rugs if you buy them directly from wholesalers like my dad. The classic architecture of the warehouses is a great contrast to the ultramodern Hafencity buildings.

Greasy! That’s what this little Korean food joint is. Doesn’t really look inviting at all but the food is damn delicious. If you love deep fried food chicken as much as I do, then this is the place to go. Oh yeah, and make sure to check out our KABUL FIRE “DEEP FRIED” PLAYLIST for some extra crispy beats!

If you’ve been feasting on too much greasy food during your stay in HH city and feel the need to burn off some calories, I recommend hitting the Gorilla Gym. From boxing to Yoga. For grown-ups and kids.

Explore Hamburg with Farhot

Ethiopian Records 

Addis Ababa

Order the ye tsom firfir (fasting firfir). It is the best thing and come with friends, you won't be able to finish it on your own.

Their green juice is my personal favourite and the place is filled with artwork, most of it made by ZELALEM MERGA and Tesfahun Kebru.

Come early if you want to get those precious seats inside so you can experience the live music up close.

Anytime you want somewhere that has fresh air, greener around Mexico/ Mekenissa Zoma Musuem is the place, take a book and take time for yourself. Also take your time to explore the entire space.

Found next to Washa Mikael Rock Hewn Church. A walk up the hill with a nice view. Go during the day.

Found in the neighbourhood of Goma Kuteba and in front of the Ministry of Health. Take your time exploring the space.

Inside or out, the national theatre is filled with history.

My current neighbourhood, Kazanchis, where Fendika is situated. Sundays are the best days to work around anywhere in Addis.

I like barber shops, even though I haven't cut my hair in more than 10 years and I only go there for a trim or for my beard, because like anywhere else in the world, the barber shop conversations are lively. I used to go at least twice a month to another called Finfine Hotel Barber’s with my dad, I have very fond memories of that place.

Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Records 

Kelvin Tayler 

Auckland 

A slice of Brooklyn in Auckland courtesy of the Dylan’s, Brian and Leo! Go for the New Yorker or do a Kelvin Custom with Pepperoni & Crumbed Chicken.

The fashion heart of Auckland, it’s the 1st stop the local Britomart subway station. It’s a hub that reliable for multiple needs.

For the Bohemian Pacific Rim shopping vibes of Aotearoa, Helen and the team has custom jewellery, incense and even furniture for your spiritual retreat.

The 1st Latin American gourmet restaurant with prawn tacos to die for! Chef Luis and Ana will show you the Mexican goods.

Let L.U.C.A lace you with finest designer and vintage threads. As a DJ his mixes played in store and available on Soundcloud! Search up L.U.C.A

Kelvin Taylor's Guide To The Best Food Spots In Auckland

The New Originals 

Amsterdam

A social incubation breeding ground for creatives, entrepreneurs end residents of Amsterdam South-East, in the outskirt of the city.

A cultural clubhouse for creatives, with one of the most diverse, obscure, interesting (and everything in between) daily programming that reflects the city of Amsterdam.

A unique historical archive of inspiring conversations, activities, and literature. Find the archives and artefacts that are the legacy of Black Dutch writers and scientists located in the building of Vereniging Ons Suriname.

One of the most Authentic Thai Snackbar in the city! Get the Oyster chicken with white rice.

Amsterdam’s local market of the East side. You need to get the Turkish Pizza at a bakery named Bakkerij Kardas.

We worked with Stedelijk Museum for quite some time now, within the museum you have the Blikopeners. This is a group of young creatives in Amsterdam and every year a new group is being selected. They always need to come up with their own programme within the museum, it's always fun to visit their exhibitions.

In Oscam there is a Black manifest exhibition named: "Pirri Tifi", by @applecheekyo and @jonathanhoost, the exhibition is live until January 2022.

Explore Another Side of Amsterdam with ‘The New Originals’

CHICA Gang

Bilbao

Best tortilla in Bilbao! You have to try their Spanish tortilla, as well as their croquetas and “ensaladilla”. Pure bliss, everyone in Bilbao recommends this one for tortilla, one of Bilbao’s main dishes. No doubt.

Located at La parte Vieja, this is a unique place to have a ‘Marianito’, a special martini made by the family that owns the place, they have been doing these for more that 10 years, and for the locals, they’re just like family. I was introduced to this place right when I started living here and since then it’s one of the places from Bilbao I have in my heart.

If you want local food that tastes just like sitting at a Basque family kitchen, this is the place. Piparras, albóndigas and croquetas, served by the most enchanting , nice and welcoming women that make you feel home.


If you’re looking for an independent and local bookstore, these are two of the nicest ones I’ve found here [see spot below]. Lots of feminist, LGBT+ books, and self-published journals or books that are pretty unique. They also host events and are a big muscle of the city.


Bilbao has a beautiful river that crosses the city, there are some points to sit down and enjoying the view, in from of Bar Nervion, just after ANTI Liburdenda, you have a spot to sit, have a drink and a chat with the best view. 

A cute spot to grab a drink with the river in front of you. If you are lucky, you’ll catch part of the sunset over there. 

Where to Eat the Best Tortilla in Bilbao with CHICA Gang

Hak Baker

London

Top cafe, top food, top proper east end people

Good priced and top quality Sunday Roasts. Morn like these silly gastro pubs. Good price beer and authentic East End Pub feel. Ain’t much of that around, too conversation just don’t act moody, we’ll sniff you out!

Members club - I ain’t got a membership but I got the blag to get in there. Good food and wild impromptu nights. Variety of people

Home of Thirsty Thursday. Best free party in town and can't go wrong. Free entry free beer and Live music.

Venue fluctuates but if ya in town and it's on go to 'Glitterbox' top old skool sounds and good ravers

London with Hak Baker

Sama

Palestine

Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, it is around 11,000 years old, (lol, that number apparently exists), and it is the lowest point on earth, 258m below sea level. There, you will find Deir al Krntl, The Monastery of Temptation, which dates back to the Seleucid Empire, and where Jesus fasted for 40 days after getting baptized in the Jordan River. It is a beautiful monastery, built on the edge of a mountain cliff, overlooking the whole area, including Jericho, the Dead Sea, and a bit of Jordan. To get there, you can hike or take an aerial tramway.

The Gaza strip is a restricted area for everyone. Since 2008, Israel decided that people in Gaza all deserve life in prison. So they put the whole city under siege, and closed off all entry and exit points. But, if you do manage to get a permit to visit, go. The people there are the friendliest and most creative people you will meet. You can sit on the beach of the Mediterranean sea, which you can see from all over Palestine, but can never reach, you can eat really good food - there are too many things to see in Gaza... we can write a full article just about that.

Through the checkpoints and hassle, which can take between an hour to seven, depending on the day and the soldiers mood, you can get to Jenin. In Arraba, you can go to the Abdelhadi Palaces (Our palaces - just to brag). These Palaces have been within the family for more than 100 years, 2 of them have been renovated into a Turkish Bath and a public library. You can also start a walk from ARRABA TO BURQIN, where you pass through a spring, a roman wall, and Burqin Church, which is the 3rd oldest church in the world.

Also known as ‘Little Damascus’, a place where visiting the old market (souq) is a must. Some of the few things its popular for are nablus knafeh; my dad has been eating knafe, a really sweet dessert, every day since he was born. He used to take me to eat knafe almost every day as well when I was a kid, which is the reason why I don’t eat it anymore. He still finds that weird. It’s nablus soap and Turkish baths. I personally travel with that soap and always have some in whichever house and in whatever country I live in. You’ll also find the Samaritan Museum. Samaritan’s believe that mount Gerizim in Nablus is the holy place for the Israelis. The Samaritans have always been neutral, they don’t like politics and don’t get into it. They speak Arabic and Hebrew and they live on both sides with both people.

On the way to Ramallah you will run into Taybeh village and the Taybeh brewery. The first female-run microbrewery in the Middle East. If you are there in the Oktoberfest, you will be very happy that day. Fresh beer from the cellars and a beautiful spot on top of the mountain. After Taybeh comes Birzeit, a beautiful old village. There you can find “Malek il falafel” the best Falafel in the area. Brilliant homemade Palestinian dishes in an old traditional house. In Birzeit, you can also find the Palestinian Museum. Getting into Ramallah, there is Snowbar Garden; it is this beautiful garden built into the mountain with a great view. Great drinks and a pool for the summer times. Other good bars are Garage Cafe, La Grotta Bar and Radio Bar.

Heading out of Ramallah, through a lot of checkpoints, with a lot of views of illegal settlements, through mountains, through a lot of hassle and humiliation, you’ll get to the birthplace of Jesus, which is definitely a site to see in the nativity church. There is a shorter way to get there through Jerusalem, which is safer as well and doesn’t make you dizzy and sick, but it wouldn’t be called an occupation if we were able to drive on it. So if you are Palestinian you cant take that road. The old city of Beit Sahour is incredible as well. If you want something to eat and you like chicken, Qabar goes back forever; the menu is only chicken (these guys seriously don’t have any pics that’s how old school they are). You can also find the hotel that Banksy opened, with a straight-up view of the 8m high segregation wall and checkpoint. The walled-off hotel is a must-visit spot with a lot of Banksy art. Banksy visits Palestine a lot, especially Bethlehem, during your trip you will find a lot of his graffiti on the walls of the city. If you get tired of the wall blocking your view, you can go to Hosh il Yasmine; a very nice chill spot and has a lot of music events and a great view of the mountains around you. On your way to Hebron you can pass by Battir village, god’s paradise on earth.

Hebron market (souq) with its maze of alleys is definitely worth exploring. The shops and stalls sell everything from locally made pottery, glass, rugs, and embroidered items to fresh and dried fruits. The old city has plenty of archaeological sites worth visiting. In Hebron, they make everything… they literally can make anything. The old city also gives a real sense of what it feels like to be under occupation, as the old city is occupied by extremist settlers and protected by over 1500 soldiers making it a really intense environment. As you can see in the pictures, you can always notice netting on the top of everything. That is because the settlers tried to drive people out by throwing their trash on top of the people of Hebron. So instead of leaving, people put nets all over to catch the trash. It is very intense living there, this is why we always say when a Hebron person puts his mind to something, nothing will stop them. There is nothing like a Khalili head. They even recently approved a new illegal settlement to be built where the market is, so now there is an order to bulldoze the market.

A Guide to Palestine By Sama’ Abdulhadi

Kean Kavanagh

Dublin

Pubs closed? Never fear, the powerscourt steps are always near.

If the pubs do happen to be be open, this is my favourite one in Dublin. Lovely Guinness, mad shit on the walls, snooker table, and the best band of aul lads play on Thursday nights. They have reignited my love of music so many times.

The best record shop in town. Olan who runs it is one of the most important patrons of small labels and independent artists in Dublin and Soft Boy owe so much to his dedication to new music. Go downstairs and get a lovely haircut in Faction barbers too.

The best camera shop in town. Get some rolls of film developed or enjoy John's warm presence and a poem if you're lucky.


My favourite place to go for a swim. A bit of a way out from town but a swim here will enhance any day of your life.

So big. Big big park. Always a new place to find on a cycle.

Pint of Guinness for under €4. Say no more.

You'll have good nights, you'll have bad nights, but thank the Lord it's still here. Not a lot of small venues left in Dublin that can put on a great intimate gig or go to when the pubs close and you need one more drink.

Dublin with Kean Kavanagh

Surf Ghana

The kids go Trade Fair to learn skateboarding in a space that is secure and private but in the open street still. It is a fun and inclusive space and a coach is also available to give lessons and guides through the process of skateboarding for an easy ride.

National Theatre is a mix of both Trade Fair and Mile 7 and it has a larger space to contain the gender mix. This year, as the skateboarding scene grew larger the National Theatre was voted the best place to meet all the skateboarding crews without hassles. You will not see any female skateboarder at Mile 7 but you will see them at the National Theatre because of how comfortable the environment is.

Only skateboarders with the shit can skate at Mile 7. It is the ghetto, under an overhead bridge. How can you be a poser and go to Mile 7? That is impossible. There is no coach, only thrashers. It is no man’s land and to skate there you must earn the respect of the hobos who have turned the space to their abode. It is the definition of skate or Die: You either skate well or your board will skid to the main road and get crushed by an oncoming vehicle. That is the end.

Palm Moments is the spanking new alternative restaurant that is on the lips of everyone in the creative community. A slight bamboo and plywood structure built at the pocket of 3rd Otswe Street, Ako Adjei. It is scarcely furnished with a sofa and some chairs barricaded by large outdoor plants. The space is minimal, intimate and can only sit a few group of friends, but the good energy and camaraderie are what makes all and sundry decide it is the best place, fluid to their creative taste, to powwow and get refreshed while at it. This year all roads led to Palm Moments.

As the sun goes over the horizon you see the crews trickling in, reacquainting, eating, drinking and sometimes dancing. It is also the best place to have a block party because out there the ever-growing crowd literally takes over the street.

Alley Bars signature is their well-cooked and timely served meals! It is really a good bistro to eat at. A bonus, it is the place to be every Sunday for the best Afro-house party in Accra. It was created in a Cul-de-sac which means the roof goes on fire when the vibe is right and people start to dance, the vibrancy of the environment sustains the culture of Afro-house music in Accra pretty well.

Purple Pub takes our number one vote of "The Peoples Bar". There is no rule to being at Purple Pub just like skateboarding culture, it is a public place. You make your own table, set your chairs and sit. If you cannot find any because the zone is packed, then you can stand or freestyle if that is what you feel like doing. It is the street literally so, anything goes. The main entertainment is the pool tables, the cold drinks and the Dj. The unique thing is that they have a kitchen open all night long with fried Chicken, rice and yam chips on the menu, which is always a tasty treat.

Kozo is the hype for the best entrepreneurial minds in Accra. It is a well-lit outdoor and indoor premium restaurant and cocktail bar with a nice ambience. The staff are welcoming and available when you need anything and sometimes, at certain places in Accra, that can be too much to ask for. They are famous for their Asian-fusion meals and cabaret on Friday evenings.

Front/Back is top-shelf service, we love to see it. To cut to the chase Front/Back serves the best cocktail and everyone should, while in Accra, go there and try it. Most trippers don't know this secret because they can't even get in; it is a membership-only lay-lowcation. For Front/Back, a guy who knows a guy will come in handy; they already know they have the best drinks in the house so bouncers are there to stop you from going in free to enjoy your life. The music is great, the ambience is a mix of serenity, disco frenzy and the beautiful, stylish and artistic personalities you meet in there will kick your tongue out.

Right beside the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum is the famous Accra culture art centre. We love this place and visit it often because it is a vortex of artisans ranging from gold and silversmiths drum makers, woodcarvers, tailors, painters, bag makers and dealers of all sorts of African sculptures and textiles. To fulfil our appetite for customization and interior decoration we go to the culture centre. At a lonely corner is a vinyl collector with an amazing catalogue. On Major Laizer’s last trip to Accra he went there and could not believe his eyes, he went away with blessings.

Most top cat chat happens at Nate Barbers Place and they are not called the Hairmasters for anything, they do what they have to do to get your hair styled as you want it done. Don't want to take it from us because we are just random skateboarders? Then ask Wizkid or R2bees and other known personalities that prefer Nate for hair grooming whenever they’re in Accra. The place is basically a celebrity barbershop with services that also caters to the young and stylish who wish to rock the best hairstyles, one thing though; it is strictly by appointment.

Blessed Beauty Salon is the favourite salon of bloggers and influencers in Accra. You can never catch us slipping with a weird hairdo, everything from dreadlocks, braids, high cornrows and ponytails we get it done at Blessed Beauty.

When the Video of Naomi Campbell going into Lokko House surfaced on Instagram everyone was like why Lokko House out of the entire trendy concept stores in Accra? Because Lokko House has been the backbone of alternative street art culture for a good number of years, giving the Accra creative scene a platform and space to showcase highbrow fashion and streetwear gears either through the Lokko House Concept store or through the warehouse where most photo and art exhibitions take place.

The sunset show was a musical concert performed by Moses Sumney during the special viewing of James Barnor Retrospective exhibition at the brand new Nubuke Foundation art gallery, and that cemented Nubuke's idea to create an environment that supports youth inclusivity in the culture and arts sector. Literally, everyone in the creative industry was there to see the exhibition and start a dialogue about the direction Accra art industry is heading to. Nubuke Foundation is an artist’s art gallery because it leads the conversation of decolonisation, powered by a team of seasoned curators with a vibrant youthful support system. That is why we love it, we feel part of it.

Exploring Accra with Surf Ghana Collective

Cero Ismael 

Almere 

The only record shop Almere has at the moment. The owner has saved more than 25.000 records since his youth and now he’s selling LP’s, singles, CD’s, books and more.

Lunch and brunch room that is Hip-Hop and America inspired.

Beautiful sightseeing next to KAF. I have so many good summer memories with this spot.

A theatre, performance and exhibition centre in the city. A cultural hub. I had one of my first shows there.

Amazing Egyptian restaurant. Me and my friends used to come there a lot on the weekend.

Exploring Almere with Cero Ismael

Mount XLR

Seoul

This is one of the classic places to go after clubbing in Itaewon. They’re famous for their Korean hangover soup (뼈해장국), but I always choose the spicy braised pork (뼈찜). Open 24 hours, which is a charm. Always a lovely vibe around.

Seoul’s finest club. Somewhere all my youth is at. No description needed.

If someone asks where the most unique experience is to feel the subculture, I would definitely recommend Seendosi. The place has a bar on the 5th floor and a venue on the 4th. Both are highly unique and feel very local. If you are a subculture fan and coming to Seoul for the first time, definitely give it a try.

Another subculture realm in Seoul. It’s located in a very old neighbourhood (Eulji-ro), where you’ll witness all the raw goodness of the place.

My favourite walking place. I remember that I used to walk down the road around 2 a.m., after watching a late-night movie at a nearby cinema. The boulevard mainly consists of a lot of big companies. But late at night, everything is just dark with tall buildings. Maybe it is a bit away from the “nightlife” people usually expect, but I strongly recommend exploring the empty city vibe in Seoul.

Open 24 hours, serving solid Korean army soup. After a long night out, this place will treat you well. There’s also a branch near Gangnam Station.

Han River is the heart of Seoul. One of the best things about the city is being able to walk safely anywhere, anytime. If you’re tired of high-energy nightlife, head here with friends and order fried chicken via delivery app—you can even pick it up from the roadside.

One of my favourite soup spots. In Korean cuisine, soups are everything—food that belongs to everyone, food you can share drinks with, food that feeds your soul. This place is a great introduction to that vibe.

‘Sundae’ (순대) is Korean blood pudding (though very different from the Western kind). Sundae soup is another hearty classic. I often come here late at night after finishing sessions with friends—it’s near my studio, in a quiet, local neighbourhood. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Seoul, this might be it.

A small bar near Hanguk Sundae. Slightly different block, but surrounded by restaurants and bars that stay open late. Friendly staff, great dishes, and a strong whisky selection (especially single malts) at affordable prices. Definitely recommend.

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