Favourite places

Our watering holes

We love to be creative. But sometimes the office and the store become too familiar. Sometimes they stifle our creativity. That’s when we like to pack our trunk and find a watering hole that helps our creativity flow. But it’s a jungle out there. Where’s the best place to go?

We thought we’d share some of our favourite watering holes with you. We’ve also asked some of our colleagues around the world to share their secret watering holes with you too.

All you need to do is kick back and get creative!

L'Angolo Dolce
Via Borgo Giannotti 391 - 55100 Lucca (LU)

For the best coffee and pastries in town, visit L’Angolo Dolce, a mouthwateringly cool patisserie in lively Borgo Giannotti, a few minutes walk outside the walls of Lucca.

Bar Tambellini
Via Per S. Alessio, 1403 - 55100 Sant'Alessio (LU)

Perfect for a fresh, healthy lunch and just a few minutes outside the walls of Lucca.

Gelateria Veneta
Various locations in Lucca

Since 1927 Gelateria Veneta has used the most fresh and natural ingredients to create the best ice cream you’ll ever taste. Progress and mechanisation haven’t changed the quality and freshness of our ice cream because we still use the freshest milk, eggs – and above all – the freshest fruit. All created from the ancient recipe faithfully handed down the generations.

www.gelateriaveneta.net

Club 11
Oosterdokskade 11

There are few better places to gaze down on the canal-lined expanse though than from the 11th floor of this former post office building near Central Station, now as a sleek and modern restaurant-club. Huge screens hanging from high walls play music videos and animated films, while the mirrors, pillars and bare white walls are bathed in the colourful glow of a state-of-the-art lighting system. Wrap-round windows offer a spectacular panorama of the city.

www.ilove11.nl

Vakzuid
Olympisch Stadion 35

Weird 'n' trendy post-work hangout located in the unlikely surrounds of Amsterdam's 1928 Olympic stadium and attracting a fashionable crowd. It's a small, eccentrically designed bar-lounge-restaurant-club built under the grandstands at the old stadium and has a great terrace overlooking the track. Staff provide you with blankets if you get too chilly. The food is Med-Oriental. Guest DJs at the weekend.

www.vakzuid.nl

Morlang
Keizersgracht 451

A two-floor restaurant and bar with a shady terrace on another tranquil Amsterdam canal, the design features clean lines and light wood, which reveals itself beautifully beyond the vibrant blue facade of the building. Staff mix up their signature cocktails, but fine wines seem to be the main drink attraction. We recommend their Italian Pinot Noir!

www.morlang.nl

Jimmy Woo’s
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18

Named for a fictional Hong Kong triad boss - not a near-relative of Jimmy Choo - the main lounge is done up as if it were Mr Woo's home, the décor evoking the dark red and black moodiness of an 18th Century Opium den. Furnished with black leather sofas and antiques from the Orient, it even includes an opium table. Bar staff at the dimly-lit bar will get you high on other substances: fine top-shelf cocktails mixed with freshly mashed tropical fruits. The dance floor with state-of-the-art lighting attracts girls AND boys.
www.jimmywoo.com

we have used this image with kind permission of Jimmy Woo 

Café ‘t Smalle
Egelantiersgracht 12

Serving the best draught beer in town, this bar has a terrace on one of the prettiest canals of Amsterdam. It’s also reachable by boat!

www.t-smalle.nl

UNITED KINGDOM

London

The Great Court, The British Museum
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG

The Great Court at The British Museum is a two-acre square, enclosed by a spectacular glass roof, which transforms the Museum's inner courtyard, with the world-famous Reading Room at its centre, into the largest covered public square in Europe. Feel free to take a table, enjoy a coffee and have an inspirational meeting in a truly inspiring environment.

www.britishmuseum.org

Vertigo 42
Tower 42
25 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1HQ

Vertigo 42 is a super cool champagne bar, located on Level 42 of Tower 42, one of London’s most famous landmarks. At 600 feet above pavement level and in the heart of the City of London, Vertigo 42’s unique setting offers breathtaking panoramic views over London. Booking essential!

www.tower42.co.uk

The London Eye

Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB

At 135 metres above London, the London Eye is the world's tallest observation wheel, with 40km panoramic views on a clear day. To really get your team’s creativity flowing, you can organise a private capsule, with themes such as champagne tasting, Pimms and strawberries or mulled wine and mince pies!

www.londoneye.com
we have used this image with kind permission of the London eye

The Bronx Zoo
Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, New York

There’s always something new to see at the Bronx Zoo! Its 265 acres of parkland are home to more than 4,000 animals. See them canter, hop, and slither through award-winning exhibits that recreate wild habitats around the globe. On winter days, catch a feeding and enrichment session for tigers, penguins, sea lions, and other animals, or warm up in one of our many indoor exhibits, like tropical JungleWorld. It’s a great time of year to visit—you’ll feel as if you have the zoo all to yourself!

http://bronxzoo.com/

The Staten Island Ferry
Whitehall Street, Lower Manhattan

The Staten Island Ferry offers a five mile, 25 minute ride also provides a majestic view of New York Harbor and a no-hassle, even romantic, boat ride, for free! One guide book calls it "One of the world's greatest (and shortest) water voyages." From the deck of the ferry you will have a perfect view of The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. You'll see the skyscrapers and bridges of Lower Manhattan receding as you pull away and coming into focus again as you return. Now that’s inspirational!

www.siferry.com

The Campbell Apartment
Grand Central Station, 42nd Street and Park Avenue

Formerly the private office and salon of 1920's financier and railroad tycoon, John W. Campbell, The Campbell Apartment has been fully restored to its original splendour. Reborn as a chic cocktail lounge, it has already been cited in the national media as one of "the best bars in America".

http://grandcentralterminal.com

Hudson River Park
Battery Place to West 59th Street, Manhattan

This 550-acre park is the largest open space development in Manhattan since the completion of Central Park. Extending for five miles along the Manhattan shoreline from Battery Place to West 59th Street. Check out this stretch of Manhattan during the summer months. Catch a breeze off the Hudson. Bike or roller blade the endless Esplanade. Fly a kite or picnic by the water. The world's your oyster!

www.hudsonriverpark.org

We have used this image with kind
permission of Bridgeclimb Sydney

BLUE Sydney
The Wharf at Woolloomooloo, Sydney

BLUE Sydney is perfectly located on the Wharf at Woolloomooloo, Sydney, and enjoys spectacular views of the Sydney Central Business and Shopping District, the harbour and Royal Botanical Gardens. A Condé Nast Traveler 2005 "Gold List" award winner, BLUE Sydney is a boutique hotel in the heart of a luxury marina, entertainment and apartment complex. Delectably eclectic restaurants by Australia's leading restaurateurs are located all along the wharf.

 

Bambini Wine Room
185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

A fantastically stylish bar that you can have all to yourself. Bookings are taken for one group of between just 10 and 15 guests per evening and so you can enjoy privacy and get creative in inspiring surroundings. SMH Good Food Guide 2007 says, “A temple of European tastes and styles. Magnifique!” Winner of the Australian Gourmet Traveller “Bar of the Year 2007”

Chill On Ice Bar
296 Russell Street, Melbourne

The Ice Bar in Melbourne, Australia, is one of the most unique and exotic venues one can possibly dream of. It offers patrons an experience and environment of sub-zero temperatures where they are confronted by a décor made entirely of ice and surrounded by exquisitely carved ice sculptures. Walls, tables, chairs and even the glasses are made out of ice. Sit on the three seat sofa cushioned with Kangaroo skin and enjoy a glass of vodka or a cocktail in this "cool" bar. Choose your drink, but don't expect to find the normal cocktail here. What would you like? A Frozen Mexican, Artic Baboon, Glacier Express, or maybe a Chilly Billy. The 'Chill On' Family supplies you with all your clothing needs to ensure your arctic experience is memorable.
www.chillon.com.au
we have used this image with kind permission of Chill On Ice Bar

Horse Drawn Restaurant - Lunch
Yarra Valley, Victoria

Celebrate in style! Dine on board an elegant horse drawn dining carriage and journey through picturesque Healesville. Magnificent Clydesdales draw our beautiful antique style carriage as your enjoy a delicious 3 course lunch in the picturesque surroundings.

www.godo.com.au (activity code SLOW100)

Art and Design Walks
Melbourne, Victoria

Creative capital, public art gallery - Melbourne has plenty to offer culture vultures of all ages, just by walking the streets! Discover works that are right under - or above - your noses, doors that hide artisitic gems, and indulge with a drink to finish, and plenty of ideas to keep exploring!

www.godo.com.au (activity code HSTS101)

JJ Antique Market
Artist Lane, Bangkok

Inspiration can be found at JJ Weekend Market in Artist Lane, where you can find local Art and Culture incorporated into designs along side ‘new’ antiques and imports of crafts from all over the world, plus a myriad of exotic flora and fauna to be found at a bargain.