My Home Town.
I've grown up in and around Kingston Upon Thames. Its a posh leafy suburb, though I'm more familiar with the not so posh bits being a lad from a council flat.
I will say that we seem to have plenty happening that is quiet close, and we are in striking distance of central London if you want to play with the big boys and girls, or easy bus rides to Wimbledon, Putney, Richmond and Epsom if we want to how the others really live.
Live Music.
The Grey Horse, Live music/Band venue, and comedy club.
The Peel, Just outside of town is for your more 'alternative' and 'Rawk' crowd.
The Fighting Cocks, Local bands and other eclecticism.
The Boaters, Jazz on a Sunday evening more your style, right next to the river in a park. In the Summer, Lovely, in the winter, a bit stuffy.
Clubs
Oceana, Formally known as Options, and Nicknamed Optics or Opsharons.
The Works, The local 'super club' and Formally Volts.
McClusky's Has to be one of the also rans in the area.
Bar Eivissa. Jazzy/funky/house venue. Seems a bit pretentious.
Bacchus, the best and the worst dive bar in town. Situated in the former beer cellar of a long gone pub by the Market Place. It has been both music venue and night club, and one of the very few places that plays different music to the other clubs.
The Reflex in Norbiton is our local Gay Bar (Electric 6 not included!)
Special Events.
The Kingston Green Fair. The question has always been, is it; Our annual fair to all things ecological? Or Ethnic spend fest for the Chattering Classes? A pocket Glasto meets Camden lock mash up? Or is it just a massive piss up for Hippies and the Alternative crowd?
The answer of course is Yes (to all 4 and more)
Best Kept Secrets!
The Following pubs have late licences and no cover charge.
O'Neil's. The Fake Fiennian Chain has Guitar man and songs murdered to request on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Can get very crowded.
The Druids Head. Formally part of the Hogs Head chain, now open late on Fridays and Saturdays.
Barcadia opposite the Rotunda is a bar with a good rep and a late licence as well.
Theatre.
Opening soon?
Cinema
New Odeon multiplex (the Rotunda) has opened. Its OK.
