Marseille

A Moroccan owned wine bar - my number 1 spot for a drink!

Very cute wine bar if you're staying in Le Panier.

Cocktail bar next door to the chapitre, which is just as good with a Scarface-esque interior and huge terrace – works for both sides of your budget. Once you can't afford to keep going on the cocktails, go next door for a pastis and and a demi.

A sexy little wine cave near Longchamp with max cooking and other guest chefs. Nicolai and Max have also taken over a space called La Traverse near Malmosque in an art residency house. Keep an eye out for it this summer to head there on the weekends.

Fred's newly-opened cave just down the road from his first baby, Winesucker –a neighbourhood casual wine spot – Justine Pruvot is cooking there right now and her hyper-natural approach to cooking is sure to be a hit for the summer heatwave.

Small plates and wine, go up to the bonne mere for sunset and head here on the way back down!

Where to Go for a Drink in Marseille, by Chef Megan

Pyra

Bangkok

Best tsukemen in the country. Also ramen.

Best museum to see Thai contemporary art by local artists.

Use the AIS Super Wifi for the fastest internet in the city. Ask for the password from your AIS user friends.

Pyra’s Guide to Bangkok

Peroli

São Paulo

Starting as a ghost kitchen for deliveries only, Notorious Fish has become the cosiest restaurant in the Pinheiros district. It's a home for those who like good quality seafood an affordable price. If you never had oysters before, this is the place to go! But I would stick with a good old shrimp roll to start. 

A place where stationery lovers can find everything from cookbooks to the most genius pens. I love to check the Asian Vogue—Livraria Sol is the only place I know in town that stocks it.

A convenient spot for contemporary art lovers; this cultural centre is sprawled out on one floor, divided into three rooms that exhibit completely different works. The gift shop offers a large range of independent Brazilian brands.

Regô is a place for people who like to taste drinks and know exactly what they're getting. Each option on the menu is well thought-out, giving consumers a very unique experience. 

An iconic building right in the middle of the city, Renata is a hotel that offers furnished apartments—similar to Airbnb but much more luxurious. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, the swimming pool and restaurant is open to the public. 

From Shrimp Rolls to Stationery Stops: Peroli’s Guide to São Paulo

Andrea Martina Specchio

Venice

My favourite place to have breakfast or 'merenda' (afternoon break). This tiny pastry and coffee shop is where I always start my day when I am in Venice. I discovered Tonolo many moons ago when I was in town often to visit my friends who were studying here. Every time, I cannot resist getting at least two pastries, if not more. 

My local restaurant crush! The food is WOW and the menu has a lot of veggie options. I love the warm atmosphere and the wooden walls, so I recommend booking a table inside.

Just another excuse to go to Venice. Every other year, from April to November, Venice becomes a living exhibition of contemporary art with worldwide artists exhibiting their works in different areas of the town. The theme for 2022 is 'The Milk of Dreams': artists were asked to think of creative ways for a more sustainable coexistence between us as individuals and the universe we inhabit. 

This little old fashion bar is the king of 'tramezzini' – fresh sandwiches stuffed with different ingredients and TONS of mayo. This is my favourite lunch spot and my place-to-go to grab a 'tramezzino' for my trip back home before leaving Venice.

If you love books (and the smell of old books – something I could die for) visit this historical shop. A maze of bookshelves, vintage armchairs, old posters, retro postcards and tons of other random stuff – including a couple of resident cats!

Come here to have wine and fresh sandwiches with cold cuts. This is a spot where locals have their daily 'ombre di vino' (little glasses of wine) from 6am to 8pm… Venice rules!

Come here to hang out in the University campus area. Opt for a spritz at Bar Rosso or the 'cicchetti' ritual (aperitif in Venice style) at Ai Do Draghi. 

An Insider's Guide to Visiting Venice During the Biennale

Labdi

Nairobi

A little bougie, but you get to have breakfast with giraffes

Labdi's Guide to Nairobi

Enrico Gambadoro

Ortigia

Bar Artale is one of the oldest bars on the island of Ortigia. A stone's throw from the Cathedral of Syracuse you can taste excellent granitas and a fine selection of traditional pastries. Definitely try the almond granita and cassatelle!

Marco Cappuccio grew up in the family fish market. Cappuccio, an institution in Ortigia’s market, as well as being an excellent musician, offers a selection of fresh, high-quality fish. The tuna hamburger is one of the cult dishes of this iconic street food spot in the island.

Chiodo was, in the past, a beautiful interior design workshop. Over the recent years it has been transformed into a bistro, open for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant recalls its background despite the change, thanks to refined interior and furnishings. Dishes to try include red prawn and mango tartare and the ceviche with catch of the day.

The spaghetti with urchins from the Pesce Azzurro Trattoria, over the years, has become one of the staple stops for the Ortigia Sound System audience. In this trattoria run by the landlord called 'Sergio known as the Turk' you can try some of the dishes of the seafood tradition, such as sarde alla beccafico and the red prawns.

Enoteca Solaria over the last few years has become an institution for natural wine, not only in Syracuse but throughout Sicily. The two owners have a great passion for organic wines. The beautiful wooden interior offers a selection of wine of the highest quality.

Malamore represents a unique rarity on the island of Ortigia. It is, in fact, a small record shop with lots of gems. Run by a team of DJs and entrepreneurs including Lucio Acquilina (half of Neapolitan group Nu Genea). In addition to records, you can drink an excellent selection of local beers, both draught or canned.

Divino Mare is located in the heart of the Ortigia market, and in recent years has established itself as a place for experimentation and research in the field of food and wine. At Divino Mare you can relax simply by ordering a bottle of wine and tasting some tapas. Must try: the fried fish and tuna belly skewers.

Boats is a cocktail bar located opposite the splendid ruins of the Temple of Apollo. Top quality and research make this venue one of the essential hedonistic stops of the Ortigia tour. For cocktails let yourself be guided by the skillful hands of the bartender, but we can always recommend the Pisco Sours.

As well as being one of the festival's most iconic venues, during the rest of the year the boat becomes a viable platform for events of various types and genres. Various activities organised during the season: parties, tastings, dinners and much more. In addition, the bar is always open from sunset onwards so you can have a beer or a cocktail by the sea.

A Guide to Ortigia Island by Festival Founder Enrico Gambadoro

BOY SODA

Sydney

I love this spot! The edge of the cemetery falls away into this big panoramic view of the ocean and it reminds me how small I am! It’s such a beautiful contrast of life and death and it’s humbling to feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world. The sheer size of the cemetery is breathtaking, definitely a special location. 

There is something so local and comforting about Marrickville Bowling club. A lot of rehearsal spaces and hole-in-the-wall recording studios are on the same street so I love going there and watching the sunset as drunk people play bare foot bowls like it’s ten-pin and running into local artists. They’ve had amazing shows there and their live setup is weirdly amazing for how lowkey it is.  They also do a bomb nachos!

They make Banh Mi’s here in lightning speed plus it’s cheap and so so delicious! Super fresh salads and fresh bread, it’s *chef kiss*, just be prepared, people queue around the block! Definitely my go to spot if I'm working or frolicking around the area, because it’s a small, family-oriented business and I get the feeling the food is made with a lot of love! (There’s also super tasty Vietnamese iced coffee right next door to them!) 

Irreplaceable store, easily spotted by the window full of vintage kicks, or their beautiful dog Jazzy who greets everyone at the door! They have a crazy selection of new and vintage kicks and heaps of vintage tees, jackets, workwear, and accessories. There are a few vintage stores in Newtown but I trust Irreplaceable so much for their good taste, so I know I’m always finding that thing I didn’t know I needed in there. There’s also really good size range in everything so I always want to spend my whole pay check on vintage Carhartt pants! 

We’re blessed with a bunch of great vinyl stores in Sydney. If you’ve got a couple of hours to kill, nothing better than flicking through old vinyl racks looking for a gem. I always find great Jazz and soul records in here, and if you’re a producer who loves crate digging it’s a goldmine.

Everybody loves a cocktail but this bar is disguised as an old butcher’s shop so it’s fun and usually very intimate and cosy to hide away in! Friday night cocktail hour is calling your name! From memory they have freshly squeezed apple juice which I love with Fireball! 

Exploring Sydney with BOY SODA

Anomalie

Montreal

One of my favorite small venues in the city. It’s a non-profit organization that has music, dance theatre, exhibitions amongst other tings. I’ve played here several times and I went to several events here and the ambience was always on point

To me, this is the best music venue in the city to see your favorite artist play. Great acoustics, beautiful architecture - I’ve seen so many insane shows here and especially after being to similar sized venues in other cities, this is the one.


I love pubs, and this one is pretty much right next to l’Astral and Métropolis, which means that during jazz fest season (or summer for that matter) this is pretty much the go to spot. It’s technically a tavern - food and drinks are always on point and this is my vibe for a night out

Another great venue with absolutely stunning architecture. In some ways it feels like a smaller metropolis, it’s beautiful and I especially like it’s layout - I’ve seen several memorable shows here too

Located in my Pointe Saint-Charles (my old neighborhood in the south-west, love this area so much), this place is gorgeous. The cocktails and atmosphere are incredible, and the people who own it also own one of the best pizza places in town (in my opinion, fight me)

This is my favorite mid-sized venue in town. I might be biased cause it’s definitely associated with my years studying music in Cegep (something in between high school and college here in Quebec), but I just have so many fond memories of this spot, both playing and seeing shows, that I couldn’t not include it on this list. They also own the smaller but equally awesome Casa Del Popolo across the street.

Anomalie's guide to Nightlife / Music Venues in Montreal

MARICAS

Barcelona

Fridays and Saturdays at La Concha are unforgettable nights that for some reason get filled with lesbians while DJs play tracks such as 2 Times by Ann Lee, Bla Bla Bla by Gigi D'Agostino or Better Off Alone by Alice Deejay.

Raval’s finest classic queer Almodòbar vibes bar. It was the only place we went to for years. It’s a meet up for all queers in Barcelona, owned by queer individuals. A must in Barcelona.

For some reason this classic neighbourhood Spanish bar gets filled by queers. It’s the perfect place to go for some beers, cheese and ham with friends on a chilled week night.

This is our favourite celebration dinner place. It’s a bit pricey, but perfect if you want to have some natural wine and exquisite Mediterranean food. Make sure you get some service by Jeanne – a young version of Shane from The L Word.

Books, magazines, posters and a lot more at Barcelona’s queer-owned first kiosk. A must for some reading and coffee.

The first Sunday of every month Queer Pong Club hosts a day and night event for lesbians to play with darts, pool, ping-pong and more.

The Best Queer Spots in Barcelona, Selected by Maricas

Irma Ruiseñor

Mexico City 

A beautiful space in Colonia Cuauhtémoc offering a variety of mezcal, cuisines inspired by corn, well-curated exhibitions and listening sessions.

Part of the Yu Yu club, it's a cocktail bar with a nice radio where local DJs and selectors record and stream live sets.

A mezcal bar with a wide range of mezcal options from different regions of Mexico. Bósforo also offers delicious food and a spectacular playlist curated by the owner.

It began as a club and an online radio, and now it continues to host an itinerant series of parties and runs a record label where you can discover eclectic sounds from Latin American rave music. You can immerse yourself in the music and the vibe while encountering some of the most iconic DJs from the electronic club community.

A cozy restaurant in Colonia Juárez where you can enjoy really nice sandwiches, amazing appetisers like ceviche, delicious bread and a selection of beverages – including vermouth.

A hidden gem in Mexico, Loose Blues has a diverse kitchen with flavours from Asian cuisines as well as amazing cocktails and a great selection of music. They also have a store with contemporary fashion from local brands and an online radio.

An amazing and fun Sunday ceviche pop-up kitchen in the heart of downtown CDMX with a spectacular view of the Torre Latino. The place offers a really nice vibe and features amazing local, iconic DJs and guests to set the mood for the afternoon.

Located in the south of the city, this familiar place is a favourite, offering dishes from the southern peninsula of Mexico. Nothing on the menu costs more than 99.99 pesos (hence the name). Highly recommended dishes include lime soup, mix panuchos, and taquitos of queso relleno.

A hidden showroom in the heart of downtown Mexico City, Materia Lab specialises in street fashion, reflecting the essence of current urban style culture in Mexico.

An art gallery owned by one of Mexico's most iconic street artists, part of APC Rex Baton. Street Lynx presents and sells art from emerging and contemporary urban artists. They offer free exhibitions and art pieces for sale.

An art project and cultural agency that hosts and manages intriguing art projects by talented and rare artists, including art shows and collaborations with music festivals, movies, runways and other exciting ventures. They also provide free exhibitions and art pieces for sale.

An amazing multicultural space with a social focus who work very close with queer mexican communities. Pandeito also have a very nice offer of workshops.

Explore Mexico City with Irma Ruiseñor

Sylvia Pérez

Madrid

This viewpoint is built on a 110-meter-high lighting tower, constructed in 1992. It’s metal and has a somewhat dystopian feel. You take a panoramic elevator to the top and see a stunning panoramic view of the city. My favourite time to visit is at sunset to witness Madrid’s famous pink skies. The entrance fee is very affordable at 3 euros, but take note that it closes early.

A photography studio in the Carabanchel neighbourhood, run by friends of mine, feels like my second home since I’ve done some of my latest work here in Madrid. It’s a perfect size, fully equipped with all the technical gear you might need, and even has natural light if you want to use it. As a bonus, you can head up to the terrace to grab a coffee or smoke a cigarette between shots. The interior is amazing. If you’re in Madrid for a project, check it out!

This is an underground house in the garden of a property built by late brutalist architect Fernando Higueras. It was originally his studio but later became his home. It is now the headquarters of the Fernando Higueras foundation. 

You can arrange private visits by reservation or visit during the Open House Architecture Festival. It’s one of my favourite spots in the city and one of Madrid’s hidden treasures.


This gallery, which houses large-scale contemporary art exhibitions, is part of the Reina Sofía Museum in a separate building in El Retiro park. The park itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the museum is near the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. The stroll through the park and the gallery makes it well worth a visit.

It’s currently temporarily closed for renovations until Dec 2025, but usually it is open every day and free to enter.

This is the best-curated vintage clothing store in Madrid, with a finely selected range of designer vintage and archive clothing and collectables. Run by two brothers, Charly and Nacho, it’s a key spot in the city to get a feel for Madrid’s youth culture. You’ll find an international atmosphere where you can mingle with the city’s young and creative crowd.

This is a great place for an aperitif, lunch, or dinner, offering traditional tapas and dishes with a modern twist. The venue is traditional yet renovated, run by a young team that aims to keep the authentic vibe. It’s best to reserve a table in advance for meals, but no reservation is needed if you’re just stopping by for a drink. I’m a regular here and often hang out with international friends or hold casual professional meetings at this spot. If you come, you might even find me here!

This restaurant blends flavours from Eastern Mediterranean Arab countries. It has a cozy atmosphere where chef and owner, Heba Kharouf, will gladly explain each dish to you. It’s a place I’d bring someone if I wanted to impress them. The ambience is laid-back and international, with a mix of younger, modern customers and locals from the neighbourhood. I recommend booking in advance.

There’s no bar like Cock in Madrid. It’s one of the city’s oldest cocktail bars, dating back to 1921. Located on a side street behind Gran Víia, it served as the back door and secret entrance to another famous cocktail bar on Gran Vía, called Chicote. History is palpable here. Luminaries such as Buñuel, Dalí, Audrey Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Frank Sinatra have all passed through. The bar has an Old English-style decor, with dark carved wood walls and waiters serving you with white gloves. It’s still a meeting point for Madrid’s creative elite today and is open every day of the week.

In Madrid, the aperitif, or pre-meal “vermouth hour,” is deeply ingrained, and there’s been a revival of pairing it with “Gildas” —a traditional pintxo from northern Spain. 

La Gildería specialises in Gildas, adding a signature experimental twist. You’ll find a wide variety of Gilda combinations (I recommend the sun-dried tomato, cheese, and basil) and an extensive selection of vermouths. The place has a contemporary, casual atmosphere, and reservations are not required.

This small, historic movie theatre with modernist architecture is located in the Anton Martín area, near the market of the same name. It’s now the home of the Spanish Film Archive. 

Besides the beautiful facade, I highly recommend going inside to watch a film and see the stunning restored blue main hall. Even the café at the entrance is worth a visit alone. They screen films from different eras in their original language. Be sure to check the schedule in advance. 

It’s a great plan any time of the year, with tickets priced at just 3 euros.

Walking along the Manzanares River always takes me to another time. It’s not a gushing river, but more of a biosphere reserve, with little water flow and lots of vegetation for birds and other species to nest. You can spot herons, ducks, and other birds. 

The views from Segovia Bridge are sick, offering a vista of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and North Station, all surrounded by greenery and pink skies at sunset.

When you need a break, you can rest in the open space below the bridge or at the terrace kiosk nearby.

It is one of the best bookstores in Madrid with the widest selection of artist and photography books. Founded by Elena Ochoa Foster, it also functions as an exhibition space, editorial, and contemporary art consultancy. Though it’s not in the city centre, a visit is well worth the trip to get there. 

The new lab in Madrid to develop and print your analog images. They’ve just opened and are located right in the city center—perfect if you’re looking for convenience and personalized service. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re in town and need to get something printed!

Hidden Homes and Tapas With a Twist: Sylvia Pérez’s Guide to Madrid, Spain

Tato Giovannoni

Buenos Aires

A staple on the World’s 50 Best Bar list since just after their opening, Florería is currently number 5 in the world, reflecting the huge growth on the Argentinian cocktail scene. The new menu is inspired by colonies and native towns, and from that, my favourite is Yamanas. Old Tom Gin, blue spirulina, earl grey, rose hip and patagónico king crab with pine mushroom bitters.

Probably one of the only bars that you can go to experience the golden era of Buenos Aires. Go here for the classic; a Clarito, the Argentine twist on the dry martini.

This relatively new bar from the younger generation of Argentinian bartenders is a great place to end the night. Trendy, hip music is played here throughout. Ask for a Milkisilin.

The third bar from the Ginoteria family, this new bar is in Chinatown, and in safe hands of old guard bartender of Pablo Pignata. It’s the only fast food style bar in Argentina, serving up gin & tonics, negronis and dry martinis. Fast, easy, simple and full of good vibes.

The newest bar from Ines De los Santos, this bar has great ambience and interiors, with a beautiful bar and food from Maximo Lopaz May. Inspired by French Vietnamese culture.

Also on the World’s 50 Best Bars list is Presidente. It’s super trendy and elegant, and a great place to go at any time of the day. Their list of signature and classic drinks is fantastic.

A must for any visit. Danzon was the bar that helped to nurture new talent and put Argentina on the world stage again for cocktails. The bar opened in 1998 and it’s still an amazing place to go. It was also the first wine bar in Argentina, with a beautiful restaurant, great cocktails and modern deco. My first job as a professional bartender was here.

This fantastic space plays tribute to tiki culture, run by Ludovico de Biaggi, one of the youngest new talents. It’s the same group as Danzon - great food, good music and always full of energy.

This amazing venue pays tribute to all the Argentinian classics. The owner is strict with what he serves and that’s just one of the reasons we love him - you’ll find no beers and no sodas here. Ask for a Ferroviario, or any classic you fancy. It’s a great place to start the night in a beautiful part of Buenos Aires.

Latin America's Top Mixologist Shares The Best Cocktail Bars in Buenos Aires

Tedman Lee

Hong Kong

Most famous dai pai dong on the island. Good vibes all around, drunk staff, good food, corny but awesome music on blast, all in a wet market...can’t ask for more

Vintage shop with a unique and nostalgic selection of antique from the colonial days of Hong Kong along witVintage shop with a unique and nostalgic selection of antique from the colonial days of Hong Kong along with super rare vintage eyewear and vinyl recordsh super rare vintage eyewear and vinyl records

Go get a bowl of the famous Hong Kong styled cart noodles. There was a long heritage of street vendors during the 1950s in carts until they all got banned by the government due to hygiene regulations. Now they're all in shops

The neighbourhood bar in Prince Edward where all the local creatives hang out at. Go and ask for a cocktail with yuk bing siu

The Private Label is stocked here along with a few other contemporary clothing labels from Hong Kong. Go get a cup of honey americano and look at some local designs

Amazing selection of vinyl records. Be sure to have a few hours to kill and be ready for long conversations

Fusion diner designed by Sou Fujimoto with a dope vinyl music room

Tedman Lee's Hong Kong Spots

New York City 

Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through their choice of books, programming and great coffee, they endeavour to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically female-identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.

LICHEN NYC is location in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a design shop that’s helping to democratize design and proselytize more under-the-radar participants. Founded by Jared Blake and Ed Be the two have curated an exceptional archive of accessible vintage and contemporary furniture.

Brooklyn Blooms was planted in 2017 in the neighbourhood of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with a mission to serve it’s neighbourhood and the surrounding communities with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices.

Harlem's 1st 100 percent African American owned craft beer bar. Their mission is to invest in their local community, to offer great beers "made by us and for us" and expand access and enjoy good times together, in their own way.

Brooklyn Clay Industries is a ceramics studio that holds pottery classes and workshops. The owner Reuben King, a native of Dominica, grew up with pottery-making as a time-honored tradition that he wishes to share and inspire creativity.

Byas & Leon is a heavy hitting local spot with distinct taste. They specialize in sustainable fashion & craftsmanship, while also serving as an Afro Caribbean cultural hub.

Founded by friends Shelby Macklin and Banna Nega in 2015, Glazed NYC is a community-based lifestyle brand focused on providing high quality, classic accessories that bridge the gap between function and glamour.

Designed in Brooklyn and handcrafted sustainably with artisans spanning Nairobi to NY, these shoes give anyone who wears them an extra spring in their step.

A little more mainstream but they're all about Black excellence.

Owned and run by Telsha Anderson, this beautiful store is completely designed to cater to the women-identifying community in NYC. It also has fabulous clothes.

Brooklyn's Best fried chicken! They are doing delivery or you can stroll down and pick up.

Bed Vyne is an independent brewery, cocktail bar and liquor store in Bed-Stuy, BV feels more like a family cookout than your standard bar.

A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of colour, online and in real life. It's one of the first coworking and social spaces curated by young people of color for other young people of color.



Make Manifest is a retail and community space in the heart Bed-stuy Brooklyn. Designed to insure growth of local & independent businesses. The artistic platform strives for economic equity and an environmental consciousness.

A well stocked wine shop determined to give Brooklyn quality wine at a quality price.

Joloff Restaurant has become a local go to for Senegalese flavours made in Brooklyn.

Cafe Rue Dix explores West African and French heritage through its food, drinks and decor.

Haitian-American café and cocktail bar, CAFE ERZULIE, partnered with an existing flower shop so that both local businesses could flourish.

Ode to Babel is a small bar and lounge in Prospect Heights that has a become a true neighbourhood space.

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