We reveal England’s most ‘fucked’ pub thanks to Is My Pub Fucked January 9, 2026 A new website called Is My Pub Fucked (ismypubfucked.com) has been set up to identify the most at risk pubs in the country, ranking them by how “fucked” they are. The website uses official data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to identify which pubs will be most affected by the proposed increases to the [...]
A Ghost in Your Ear is the scariest show in London January 9, 2026 A Ghost in Your Ear | ★★★★★ | Hampstead Theatre Theatre has evolved remarkably little over the centuries – plonk Shakespeare in the front row at the Almeida and he’d immediately recognise what’s going on. One area that feels ripe for exploration is the use of audience headphones to introduce another dimension to productions. The [...]
This new City pub has a controversial past life January 9, 2026 A pub that first opened over three hundred years ago is set to reopen on Fleet Street next month. The Hoop and Grapes isn’t just any 17th century inn: it has a particularly interesting story. The pub was one of a handful of locations where controversial ‘Fleet Marriages’ took place. They were ceremonies between people [...]
Lotus Emira Turbo SE review: A driving experience to savour January 9, 2026 The Lotus Emira always felt like a good car with a great one trapped inside, trying to crowbar its way out. Can this new Turbo SE liberate the Emira’s untapped potential? Daily-driving one for a few weeks will provide an answer… The ‘Turbo Special Equipment’ badge is an evocative one for Lotus enthusiasts (and I [...]
Sheridan Smith dazzles in psychedelic Woman In Mind January 8, 2026 Woman In Mind | ★★★☆☆ | Duke of York’s Theatre Sheridan Smith’s stage work over the last decade has been a case of art imitating life. In 2016 she pulled out of a run of performances of Funny Girl suffering from anxiety and burnout, triggering a tabloid feeding frenzy. Since then she has led a production [...]
Oh, Mary! London review: Broadway smash falters in the West End January 8, 2026 Oh, Mary! review and star rating: ★★ Historical revisioning – storytelling that presents key parts of history in new and often fantastical ways – has become a major trend through shows like Six and Hamilton. The latest, Oh, Mary!, is a comic imagining of the life of Abraham Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd Lincoln in the [...]
Beyond the neon lights: Discover Tokyo’s timeless traditions January 8, 2026 Japanese culture has always had a strong influence. Whether food, anime or Pokémon, Japan has captured attention from childhood and stayed with people for years whether they’ve visited the country or not. . Art such as “The Great Wave” and traditional themes like samurai are globally recognised, reflecting the country’s craft and pursuit of perfection. [...]
The radical Dry January approach we should all take January 8, 2026 With so many Millennials growing up and moving to the suburbs, and Gen Z famously not drinking as much, has Dry January lost its fizz? A recent YouGov survey from December 2025 revealed that just over half of British adults said they would not be avoiding alcohol in January 2026, and the vibe certainly matches [...]
Galvin La Chapelle launches special menu to celebrate Toast Award win January 8, 2026 Michelin starred City institution Galvin La Chapelle has launched a special new menu to celebrate winning Best Restaurant at the inaugural City AM Toast the City Awards. The Toast & Taste menu, which is on offer until 24 February, will feature a combination of brand new dishes and returning classics from throughout the restaurant’s 15 [...]
The Capitalist: What happened to Dry January? January 8, 2026 In this week’s diary, property investment board games, new ways to ride the Tube and why Dry January seems like a distant memory WHAT HAPPENED TO DRY JANUARY? “I was gonna do it but then I went to the pub yesterday,” a senior City AM staff member admitted to The Capitalist, remarking on their own [...]